Stress managing resources expanding to help farmers
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Farm Center, was awarded $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to promote, develop, and increase stress management and mental health resources for Wisconsin farmers.
“From unpredictable weather to fluctuating market prices, farmers are faced with challenges every day that can cause stress and anxiety,” said DATCP secretary Randy Romanski. “This funding will help build on stress management and mental health resources, to help farmers overcome challenges and continue providing high-quality, nutritious products for our state, nation and world.”
The DATCP will use the funding to do the following:
• Promote stress management and mental health programming for Wisconsin farmers by creating, printing and distributing outreach materials. It will also develop a series of videos on stress identification, prevention and management for farmers.
• Adapt existing farm management, financial and mental health resources, into formats that are more easily accessible by Hmong and Latino farmers.
Additionally, the DATCP will work with partners on resources including the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, who will receive a portion of the grant funding to adapt the WeCOPE stress management program for a farmer audience, in cooperation with the Division of Extension.
The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) will receive a portion to coordinate peer support training for 18 farmers, through the Wisconsin Peer Specialists Program. After training, this group of farmers will establish a support network across the state for farmers utilizing peer support techniques to provide assistance.
Since the mid-1980s, the Farm Center has provided Wisconsin farmers a variety of services including financial analysis, farm succession planning, conflict mediation, and business consultation on industry opportunities and challenges. The planned grant activities enhance and complement the efforts already set forth by the DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center.
The center connects farmers to mental health resources, including pilot programs such as a 24/7 farmer wellness helpline (888-901-2558), tele-counseling services and other new educational programs.
