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State ag leaders praise introduction of FARMERS FIRST Act
Story Date: 4/20/2018
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Source: NATIONAL ASSOC. OF STATE DEPTS. OF AGRICULTURE, 4/19/18
Following today’s introduction of the Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions For Immediate Response to Stressful Times (FARMERS FIRST) Act by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) as original co-sponsors, NASDA CEO Dr. Barbara P. Glenn issued the following statement:
“NASDA applauds the bipartisan introduction of this bill to help individuals deal with the extreme stresses facing agriculture. This bill will enable farmers and ranchers to connect with real people who can help them through their uniquely stressful situations. The outreach services and trainings highlighted in this bill can reach producers regardless of where they are located and what they’re facing,” said Glenn. “State departments of agriculture are on the front lines with producers helping tackle these issues and the FARMERS FIRST Act will create needed coordination of these efforts.”
The FARMERS FIRST Act would provide funding jointly through USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to state departments of agriculture, state extension services, and non-profits for helplines and websites, would reestablish the previously eliminated Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) to coordinate best practices and responses among the grantees assisting on the ground, and establish an assessment committee to develop a report on farmer stress.
NASDA represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders.
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