Baldwin, Ernst Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Farmers, Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Farmers First Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to address the mental health epidemic in rural America and expand access to critical mental health care for our nation’s agricultural communities. The legislation would increase support for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which Senators Baldwin and Senator Ernst successfully included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to keep their businesses running and our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy moving forward. But too often, the stress, isolation, and physical demands of this job leave them with nowhere to turn when it all gets to be too much,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m working to make sure our farmers and rural communities have the resources they need because no one should have to fight these battles alone.”

“Iowa farmers work tirelessly from sunrise to sundown – rain or shine – to feed and fuel the world. Their work isn’t easy, and mental health issues, including suicide, are too common in our agriculture community, which is why I’m working to ensure farmers have better access to mental health resources,” said Senator Ernst.

The Farmers First Act would reauthorize the FRSAN, a program that connects farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture workers to stress assistance programs and resources. Through FRSAN, state departments of agriculture, state extension services, and non-profits receive funding to establish helplines, provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, and create support groups for farmers and farm workers. The Farmers First Act would increase funding for the program, authorizing $15 million per year for the program for the next five years, up from $10 million and allowing grantees to hire additional staff to support farmers, including behavioral health specialists to provide counseling to agricultural workers, and bolstering grantees’ efforts to address the unique needs of different farming populations, including Veteran farmers and farmers of color.

The Senators are introducing the bill as suicide, mental health challenges, and stress are on the rise in agricultural and rural communities. Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. Four regional centers established through FRSAN are currently increasing access to farm stress services, including expanding access to hotlines, training Americans in rural areas to recognize the signs of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation, and creating support groups for farmworkers.

In addition to Senators Baldwin and Ernst, the Farmers First Act of 2025 is co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Susan Collins (R-ME). The bill was also introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) and Angie Craig (D-MN-02).

The Farmers First Act is endorsed by the National Farmers Union, National Rural Health Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Agriculture Retailers Association, The National Council, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Organic Trade Association, American Psychological Association Services, NCBA CLUSA, Farm Credit Council, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Organic Farmers Association, National Pork Producers Council, American Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Farm Aid, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Organic Coalition, Farmer Veteran Coalition, and American Farm Bureau Federation.

“From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President, Public Policy, American Farm Bureau Federation.

“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Senators Baldwin and Ernst and Representatives Feenstra and Craig for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”

“FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative is extremely appreciative of the work of Senator Tammy Baldwin, as well as others, in addressing the mounting mental health and wellness challenges facing our nations farmers. There are so many variables out of the control of the farmers that work hard to supply multiple facets to consumers. Volatility of markets, weather, regulations, and numerous other things out of their control and then add the lack of rural resources, makes this very important part of our world feeling vulnerable and alone. The Farmers First Act would make the access to resources easier and more financially viable for our nations farmers,” said the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative.

“The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, CEO, Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

“Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.

“Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”

“Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said NASDA CEO, Ted McKinney.

“Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council president and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”

“Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr, National Corn Growers Association President. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciating for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”

“The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers,” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers.”

A one-pager on this legislation can be found here. Full text of the bill is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.