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Senators want support resources for farmers in crisis

 

A new bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to increase mental health resources in rural communities.

Introduced by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Iowa Republican Joni Ernst, the FARMERS FIRST Act would provide USDA with funding to create helplines, suicide prevention training and reestablish the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Senator Tammy Baldwin tells Brownfield the legislation expands on the STRESS Act that was introduced in the U.S. House by providing USDA $50 million over five years and creating a federal advisory committee to develop a long-term strategy to address mental health in rural areas.  “This is a crisis time for many farming families right now.  The budget process is about setting priorities and I think the lives and wellbeing of our farming community and rural America is an enormously high priority.”

Baldwin says she’d like to see the Act incorporated into the 2018 Farm Bill and expects a bipartisan bill to be released by the Senate Ag Committee soon.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found agricultural workers have a higher suicide rate than any other occupation. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network was authorized by Congress in 2008 but has never received funding.

The legislation is supported by the National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, American Soybean Association, National Farmers Union and U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, among others.

AUDIO: Interview with Senator Tammy Baldwin