Since its early days, Farm First has provided help to those in other states and related natural resource professions who want to set up similar support organizations. Some of that work has includes:
Farm First partnered with the National Young Farmers Coalition and Farm Aid to develop a framework for USDA’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to serve the 13 states in the USDA northeast region. That program, made possible by a grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, has since been renamed Cultivemos, with a new focus on helping Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers. Farm First was the lead organization to develop the mental health resources for the network. Those resources include a comprehensive resource manual, website materials and training workshops for training trainers in other states. Farm First has delivered train-the-trainer workshops to those wanting to deliver farmer mental health support trainings in those other states.
Farm First helped the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources set up farmer peer support networks. We helped develop an outreach plan; developed training materials and implemented trainings for both agricultural service providers and farmers on how to assist other farmers in need.
"Farm First Vermont was an exemplary partner, completing services and deliverables in a collaborative way that immensely enhanced our [MDAR’s] MassGrown Wellness program. They have thoughtful and impactful staff that truly care about the work they are doing. Their experience in the mental health and wellness field with agricultural stakeholders is apparent in every task they complete.
"Farm First Vermont was able to help MDAR to promote a mental health Resource ToolKit, provide numerous trainings for staff and agricultural stakeholders, as well as help establish a MA Peer Support Network. These accomplishments would not be possible without FFVT’s hard work, expertise, and assistance.” -- MDAR Staff
Farm First adapted and delivered our Peer Network training course to train agricultural service providers and farmers in Rhode Island.
Through meetings organized by the Northeast Center, we have consulted with partner organizations in Maine interested in exploring a potential support program for those in the fishing profession.
Farm First has presented information about our program at several national and internation agricultural health and safety conferences and published twice in the Journal of Agromedicine.
We are happy to help your state or program too!
Please contact Angela Shea, LICSW, Farm First Clinical Director, for more information at angelas@farmfirst.org or (802) 277-5060.