FarmFirst is expanding access to mental health services for Vermont farmers through its new Farmer Peer Network. We have certainly seen a significant increase in the number of farmers and their families asking for help,” said Karen Crowley, program manager at FarmFirst. The nonprofit program aims to provide Vermont farmers with resources to help them cope with industry stress. “The stigma around mental health is really improving here and farmers are really starting to step up and talk about their mental health issues,” said Leanne Porter, training coordinator at FarmFirst. These resources, Crowley said, are crucial to an industry filled with unpredictable factors. “These are important people in our communities, and we need to find ways to support them,” Crowley said. This is exactly why FarmFirst is looking for more volunteers and is offering a stipend of approximately $500 to anyone who completes each of the three peer trainings offered. Each volunteer is a farmer who wants to learn more about mental health and share his work experiences when other farmers call Each training is expected to last between an hour and an hour and a half, meeting at 6 p.m. on December 5, December 19 and January 9. “We train peers in active listening, de-escalation, all available resources, things like that,” Porter said. FarmFirst currently has about 18 peers in the training process, Porter said, adding that she hopes to see 25 by January. The needs continue to grow, and grow, and grow,” Crowley agreed. Information to register as a Farmer Peer or contact FarmFirst can be found here.
FarmFirst is expanding access to mental health services for Vermont farmers through its new Farmer Peer Network.
Before the Peer Network can launch in early 2023, FarmFirst is looking for more volunteers to become Peer Farmers ahead of their first training cycle on December 5.
“We have certainly seen a significant increase in the number of farmers and their families asking for help,” said Karen Crowley, program manager at FarmFirst.
The nonprofit program aims to provide Vermont farmers with resources to help them cope with industry stress.
“The stigma around mental health is really improving here and farmers are really starting to step up and talk about their mental health issues,” said Leanne Porter, training coordinator at FarmFirst.
These resources, Crowley said, are crucial for an industry filled with unpredictable factors.
“These are important people in our communities, and we need to find ways to support them,” Crowley said.
This is exactly why FarmFirst is looking for more volunteers and is offering a stipend of around $500 to anyone who completes each of the three peer trainings offered.
Each volunteer is a farmer willing to learn about mental health and share their professional experiences when other farmers call.
Each training is expected to last between an hour and an hour and a half, meeting at 6 p.m. on December 5, December 19 and January 9.
“We train peers in active listening, de-escalation, all available resources, things like that,” Porter said.
FarmFirst currently has about 18 peers in the training process, Porter said, adding that she hopes to see 25 by January.
“It will expand our ability to respond to farmers, as the needs keep growing, growing and growing,” Crowley agreed.
Here you will find information on how to register as a Farmer Peer or contact FarmFirst.
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