2018 Farm Bill also includes better dairy risk management tools, stronger crop insurance program, improves Agricultural Risk Coverage Program
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Tom Emmer's (MN-06) Stemming the Tide of Rural Economic Stress and Suicide (STRESS) Act (H.R. 5259) is included in the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, which was released earlier today. Emmer's legislation will make mental health treatment more available for farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers who, due to the nature of their work and the lack of mental health treatment available, suffer from higher rates of depression and suicide.
“To farmers in Minnesota and across the country: help is on the way. The STRESS Act’s inclusion in the Farm Bill means that we are finally taking steps to turn the tide on America's farmer suicide crisis,” said Congressman Emmer, whose district encompasses areas of rural Minnesota including parts of Stearns, Benton, Wright and Sherburne Counties.
“I thank the House Agriculture Committee for their support and look forward to seeing the package move quickly through Congress and to the President's desk. Now more than ever, and without further delay, America's farmers deserve our full support.”
The STRESS Act will reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) to give states needed resources to provide mental health services for farmers and ranchers. Though the program was first authorized in 2008, it did not receive funding and therefore lapsed. Emmer's legislation will renew FRSAN, restoring our nation's attention to Americans in farming who are disproportionately affected by high rates of suicide.
Emmer added: “In addition to the STRESS Act, there are many other positives for Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District such as better dairy risk management tools for smaller operations, a strong crop insurance program, improved farm safety net programs like Agricultural Risk Coverage, and efforts to better respond to emerging diseases that devastate livestock producers throughout Minnesota.”
Learn more about the STRESS Act here and read the full legislative text here.
Learn more about the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 here and read the full legislative text here.
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