Farm Crisis Takes Toll on Farmers and Families

Posted on July 7, 2019 by Taylor in Business, Farming Resources // 0 Comments

Farm Crisis Takes a Toll on Farmers and Families – From RAFI USA

There is a farm crisis happening now in Rural America. This shouldn’t surprise anyone – what we are seeing now is not new. Farmers rely on open markets, and now that fewer and fewer companies control more and more of the agricultural economy, sovereignty and market opportunity are shrinking and farms are suffering.

We respect and honor farmers and rural people for their independence, hard work, sense of community, stewardship
and care for the land and connection to place. Despite their hard work, we are seeing more and more farmers struggle to make ends meet. For example, many farmers are now having to work another job in town to keep the farm going.

RAFI-USA FARMER HOTLINE
1-800-273-TALK (8225)
919-542-1396 or tollfree at 866-586-6746
(press #1)

The impacts of prolonged stress – financial and otherwise – on farmers, rural communities, workers and
many others across the economy, are associated with very significant health impacts. Is stress on your farm impacting you and your family? Could you use some support? Both RAFI-USA and Farm Aid operate Farmer Hotlines Monday thru Friday to help people struggling with the farm crisis. Call if you’re in crisis. Call if you need technical assistance. Call if you need to talk. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8225).

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) believes in order to ensure a safe, adequate supply of healthy food, we must protect farm workers and encourage environmentally sound farming. We see environmental sustainability, economic viability, biodiversity, and social justice as inextricably linked. Therefore, the best way to ensure a just, sustainable future for farming is to create a reality where farmers feel supported and protected and have the resources to thrive. RAFI’s Mission is to cultivate markets, policies, and communities that support thriving, socially just, and environmentally sound family farms.