MDA offers free, confidential tools to navigate farm challenges



department of agriculture


*For Immediate Release*




*Media Contact: 
*Logan Schumacher

651-201-6193

[email protected] <[email protected]>




April 18, 2024

Previous Announcements [ [link removed] ]





________________________________________________________________________



Help is Available for Minnesota Producers Facing Times of Stress

MDA offers free, confidential tools to navigate farm challenges

*St. Paul, MN*: For Minnesota farmers and livestock producers experiencing times of stress due to business and financial challenges, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a reminder of free, confidential tools that are available to help.

“From low commodity prices and extreme weather to continued threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Minnesota’s farmers and their families face a wide range of unique stressors that can have ripple effects in all areas of life,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “You do not have to navigate times of hardship on your own. I encourage farmers and their families to make use of the MDA’s resources designed to support you."

The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Calls are answered 24/7 by trained counselors who can lend a listening ear or connect you with help for business, financial, or legal problems. Call 833-600-2670 or text “FARMSTRESS” to 898211 to get started.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis caused by either a natural disaster or financial problems, contact one of the MDA’s nine Farm Advocates [ [link removed] ]. They know all about agricultural lending practices, mediation, lender negotiation, farm programs, crisis counseling, disaster programs, and to recognize the need for legal and/or social services.

Minnesota also has Ted Matthews and Monica McConkey [ [link removed] ], experienced, ag-focused mental health providers who offer confidential counseling services at no cost to farm individuals, couples, or families anywhere in the state. Sessions can take place in person, on Zoom, or over the phone, and insurance is not needed. They have helped hundreds of Minnesota farmers and farm family members over the years.

For financial assistance, the Rural Finance Authority (RFA) [ [link removed] ] provides a variety of low-interest loans, including one for disaster relief. The MDA also posts a number of grant opportunities throughout the year, such as the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant [ [link removed] ], which can help improve, update, and modernize livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.

Specific to dairy farms, Dairy Business Planning Grants [ [link removed] ] cover 50% of your cost to hire a qualified, independent third party to create a business plan for your operation or test for stray voltage. Dairy Profit Teams [ [link removed] ] provide planning and problem-solving services throughout Minnesota.

To learn more about all of the state resources that are available to help in times of stress, visit www.minnesotafarmstress.com [ [link removed] ], or contact the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or by texting “FARMSTRESS” to 898211.

###

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].






Stay Connected with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture:   Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Youtube [ [link removed] ] Flickr [ [link removed] ] Flickr [ [link removed] ] Govdelivery [ [link removed] ]  

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]



 

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Agriculture ·625 Robert Street N · Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]


body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:7px; margin-right:7px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}