Ask in Earnest

Legislative Actions

Click on these links to learn more about what our elected officials are doing to help end suicide in farming:

To Curb Rise of Rural Suicides, Tester Announces Bill to Provide Resources and Awareness to Farmers

Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions For Immediate Response to Stressful Times Act
FARMERS FIRST Act S.2712

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.

Stemming the Tide of Rural Economic Stress and Suicide
STRESS Act HR 5259

Montana Delegation Backs $87B Farm Bill That Preserves Most of 2014 Version

Farm Bill Passed Big Win for every American

The legislation would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program, which was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill but never funded

NIFA Invests Nearly $25 Million in Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa/press-releases/nifa-invests-nearly-25m-farm-ranch-stress-assistance-network

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced today an investment of nearly $25 million for 50 grants supporting Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) State Department of Agriculture (SDA) projects.

Montana Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, Including Vouchers for Mental Health Counseling
agr.mt.gov/FRSAN

Counceling Access for Montana Ag addresses mental health care services, in Montana’s rural communities. Montana Department of Agriculture has partnered with Frontier Psychiatry to provide all Montanans involved in Ag with access to free, confidential counseling access.