District 2 Supervisor Shanti Landon. Courtesy photo

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - A critical policy resolution urging federal action on farmer and rancher mental health has been adopted as a priority initiative by the National Association of Counties, thanks to sponsorship in part by Shanti Landon, Chair of the Placer County Board of Supervisors.

Farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers experience suicide rates approximately 3.5 times higher than the national average, according to federal data cited in the resolution, underscoring the urgency of targeted federal action and stronger support systems for agricultural communities.

The proposed interim resolution calls on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in coordination with Congress and federal partners, to formally prioritize the mental health of farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers and to include counties as key partners in program development and implementation, including initiatives such as the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).

“Farmers and ranchers carry an extraordinary responsibility, not just for their families, but for feeding our nation,” said Landon. “The economic pressures, isolation and uncertainty they face can take a profound toll on mental health. By formally recognizing this as a priority and ensuring counties are part of the solution, we can expand access to care, reduce stigma and provide meaningful support to the agricultural communities that sustain us all.”

Placer County is home to thriving farms, ranches and agricultural operations that contribute significantly to the local economy. This resolution will help ensure that Placer farmers and ranchers have a stronger voice in advancing targeted USDA programs, crisis support and resources that directly address the unique pressures facing agricultural communities.

Throughout the nation, farmers and ranchers face persistent occupational stressors, including fluctuating commodity prices, high debt loads, labor shortages, geographic isolation and unpredictable weather events. Limited access to behavioral health services in rural areas and cultural stigma surrounding help-seeking further compound these challenges. Counties play a central role in delivering local mental health, crisis response and community outreach services but often lack sufficient resources and coordination with federal programs.

The policy urges increased and sustained funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) and related programs to expand behavioral health services, crisis hotlines, peer support networks and stigma-reduction efforts in rural communities. It also calls for the inclusion of county officials in USDA advisory committees, policy development, grant review processes and implementation of programs addressing farm stress and rural behavioral health.

As a chief sponsor, Landon helped elevate the importance of recognizing farmer and rancher mental health as a preventable public health crisis and ensuring meaningful county involvement in federal solutions.

The resolution primarily impacts rural counties where agriculture drives local economies and counties often serve as the primary safety net for behavioral health services. Strengthened federal recognition, sustained funding and intergovernmental partnerships are expected to reduce strain on county resources while supporting rural economic stability and the long-term viability of agricultural communities and the nation’s food supply.