Farmers First Act of 2025
Farmers First Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Farmers First Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Farmers First Act would expand and extend a federal program called the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) through 2030. This program provides funding to states, Native American tribes, and nonprofits to offer mental health and counseling services specifically designed for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. The bill would allow helplines and websites to also function as crisis lines, and would let the program connect farmers with mental health providers like community health clinics and rural hospitals. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers who struggle with stress—a significant issue given the financial pressures, isolation, and physical demands of farm work.
It also impacts states and organizations that receive federal grants to run these support programs. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. It would need to advance through the committee process and gain support from both parties to become law.
CRS Official Summary
Farmers First Act of 2025This bill extends through FY2030 and revises the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). This Department of Agriculture program provides competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and qualified nonprofit organizations to provide stress assistance programs (i.e., professional agricultural behavioral health counseling, helplines, and resources) to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and agriculture-related occupations.The bill specifies that the grant funding for farm telephone helplines and websites may also be used for crisis lines.Further, FRSAN grant recipients may establish referral relationships with providers, including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, health centers, rural health clinics, and critical access hospitals.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.