As any farmer or rancher can tell you, farm life can be demanding and stressful. It has reached a critical stage with pandemic impacts on top of natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial pressures due to fluctuating commodity prices, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors over the past several years. Given these ongoing challenges, it’s no surprise that more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and mental health concerns.

Whether carrying forward a multigenerational legacy or establishing a new operation, farmers and ranchers face a unique set of stressors on a daily basis. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and our partners at USU Extension AgWellness recognize these challenges and have created a new Ag Stress Assistance Program to provide financial assistance, education, and resources for Utah farmers and ranchers. This program was made possible with grant funding from the USDA NIFA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Free mental and behavioral healthcare vouchers of up to $2,000 per individual are now available in partnership with USU extension AgWellness.

  • Eligible applicants: This program is focused on assisting Utah agricultural producers and their families with or without insurance.
  • Qualifying expenses: Mental healthcare from the provider of your choice or participating providers through Intermountain Healthcare.
  • Virtual treatment options are available through Intermountain Healthcare Connect Care
  • Mental healthcare treatment includes: Anxiety, ADD/ADHD, Bipolar, Depression, Grief, Insomnia, Mood Swings, Panic Attacks, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), Relationship Problems, Stress, Substance Misuse/Abuse, Trauma, etc.)

Several media stories have featured this program recently, including one with Utah Farm Bureau members interviewed. To see the media coverage, watch below or visit tinyurl.com/2s8u4zj3.


More information from the American Farm Bureau regarding mental health in agriculture can be found at www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind.

To learn more and access your $2,000 program voucher, visit ag.utah.gov/asap or extension.usu.edu/agwellness/mental-health-assistance.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression or another mental health challenge, you are not alone. Check out the following resources and follow #FarmStateofMind on social media to show your support. A healthy farm or ranch is nothing without a healthy you.