HORACE, N.D., May 1, 2024 –Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides free planting, haying, harvesting, commodity hauling and livestock feeding assistance to farm families who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster, is the latest member of the Farm Family Wellness Alliance.
The Farm Family Wellness Alliance is an initiative to provide access to mental health and wellbeing services to all farm families in the United States at no cost. These services are made possible through a coalition of organizations, including Farm Foundation, American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit, CoBank, Iowa Farm Bureau, Native American Agriculture Fund, Land O’Lakes, CHS, National Farmers Union, 4H, FFA, Agriculture Future of America, Togetherall and Personal Assistance Services.
Farm Family Wellness Alliance’s groundbreaking solution harnesses the best resource to build farm family wellness—access to a community, including a network of farmers and ranchers who understand the challenges and rewards that come with the agricultural way of life. Access to services starts at Togetherall, a safe, clinically moderated peer-to-peer community, where members around the world are there to listen, support and give members’ mental wellbeing a boost. Through an anonymous profile, users can access a global network of peers, backed by the safeguarding of licensed clinicians overseeing the community around-the-clock. Access to the platform is available to members of a farm family aged 16 and older. In addition to Togetherall’s global community, farmers and their families will have access to an agricultural sector sub-group to share or read others’ experiences in a safe, judgement-free zone.
Farm Rescue will be one of the many resources available to farm families through the Togetherall community, which offers a range of wellbeing tools, such as self-assessments and access to additional support services through a partnership with Personal Assistance Services. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, financial health, improving sleep and more. Members of the Farm Family Wellness Alliance meet on a monthly basis to discuss the growing needs surrounding the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and provide the necessary means of support.
“The many organizations that make up the Farm Family Wellness Alliance are so proud to welcome Farm Rescue as the newest member of our coalition,” said Tim Brennan, Vice President – External Relations, Farm Foundation. “As rural communities have become more isolated, and resources have become more scarce, access to health and wellness services and support is one of the most serious issues facing farmers. Organizations like Farm Rescue and Farm Foundation are coming together through the Farm Family Wellness Alliance to support the precious families that grow our food fiber and fuel.”
“Farm Rescue is proud to offer additional assistance services though the Togetherall platform in partnership with the Farm Family Wellness Alliance,” said Tim Sullivan, Executive Director, Farm Rescue. “We look forward to extending a helping hand to farm and ranch families experiencing a major crisis, including those related to mental health issues.”
To learn more about the Farm Family Wellness Alliance and the services available through the Togetherall platform, visit farmfoundation.org/resources/farm-family-wellness-alliance.
About Farm Rescue
Farm Rescue was founded in 2005 and has helped more than 1,000 families since its inception. The organization’s mission is to help farmers and ranchers who have experienced a major illness, injury, or natural disaster by providing the necessary equipment and volunteer labor to perform time-sensitive services. Applications for assistance are currently being accepted and can be obtained at www.farmrescue.org or by calling 701-252-2017.
