April 6, 2018 The Honorable Pat Roberts Chairman U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture 109 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Michael Conaway Chairman U.S. House Committee on Agriculture 2430 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 The Honorable Debbie Stabenow Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture 731 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Collin Peterson Ranking Member U.S. House Committee on Agriculture 2204 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairmen Roberts and Conaway and Ranking Members Stabenow and Peterson, We, the undersigned agriculture and rural organizations representing millions of members across the country, thank you for your leadership on behalf of America’s farm families and we strongly urge you to reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) with adequate funding in the next farm bill. Farming is a high-stress occupation. Financial risk, volatile markets, unpredictable weather, and heavy workloads can all place a significant strain on a farmer or rancher’s mental and emotional well-being. A 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that farmers had a much higher rate of suicide than any other occupation.1 This is exacerbated by the fact that 60 percent of rural residents live in areas that suffer from mental health professional shortages.2 Due to the prolonged downturn in the farm economy, many farmers are facing even greater stress. Net farm income has dropped by more than 50 percent since 2013, and current projections indicate the rebound could be years away. In fact, the Economic Research Service recently forecast net farm income to drop another 6.7 percent in 2018, its lowest level since 2006. As Congress works to pass a new farm bill, it’s critical that farmers and ranchers are given the resources they need, including a strong network of support. The 2008 Farm Bill established FRSAN to provide grants to extension services and nonprofit organizations that offer stress assistance programs to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations. Eligible programs include farm helplines and websites, community outreach and education, support groups, and home delivery of assistance. Despite the 1 McIntosh WL, Spies E, Stone DM, Lokey CN, Trudeau AT, Bartholow B. Suicide Rates by Occupational Group — 17 States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:641–645. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6525a1 2 HRSA Data Warehouse, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, November 2017. growing need, FRSAN has never received funding, leaving many producers without access to important behavioral health services. We urge you to reauthorize FRSAN in the next farm bill and to provide funding necessary to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers as they endure increasing financial, mental, and emotional stress. Sincerely, American Agri-Women American Pulse Association American Soybean Association Association of Public Law Universities Catholic Rural Life Farm Aid Farmers Legal Action Group Farmer Veteran Coalition National Association of State Departments of Agriculture National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors National Association of Rural Mental Health National Association of Wheat Growers National Barley Growers Association National Black Growers Council National Cattlemen’s Beef Association National Corn Growers Association National Cotton Council National Council of Farmer Cooperatives National Family Farm Coalition National Farmers Union National Grange National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association National Milk Producers Federation National Rural Health Association National Sunflower Association National Young Farmers Coalition Rural Advancement Foundation International USA Rural and Agricultural Council of America Rural Coalition/Coalicíon Rural State Agriculture and Rural Leaders USA Rice U.S. Canola Association U.S. Cattlemen’s Association U.S. Dry Bean Council U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Council Women Involved in Farm Economics