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In 2024-25, Arkansas farmers and farmers across the United States, faced unprecedented financial conditions.
Burdened by debt, frustrated over market conditions out of their control and feeling increasingly hopeless, many farmers are finding it difficult to continue. The stress is not just the farmers, but the family's and communities.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and others within the agriculture industry have resources to cultivate hope to help farm families cope and increase in their resilience.
Resources from the Cooperative Extension Service:
- Extension offers mental health tips for farmers, farm families facing unique stressors
- Managing farm stress
Resources recommended by the Southern Risk Management Education Center
- AgFTAP.org, supported by the USDA Farm Service Agency, offers free educational courses on recordkeeping, farm finance, tax management, and asset protection, along with access to a national network of technical assistance service providers.
- FSA96, a recent University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture publication, Identifying Financial Stress in Farmers and Ranchers: A Guide for Families, Friends, and Agricultural Community Stakeholders, highlights practical ways communities can recognize red flags of distress before a crisis unfolds.
- Helplines such as the National AgriStress Helpline (1-833-897-AGRI) and AR ConnectNow (501-526-3563) offer 24-hour crisis and mental health support tailored for farm families.
Resources from Arkansas Farm Bureau:
- Get involved in rural health
- Video Suicide prevention with extension's Rebecca Simon.
- Mental health awareness with Cassie Davis
- Togetherall program
- Dealing with farm stress with Farmer James Dixon