North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center

07/07/2025

Calling all Illinois farmers!
Do you have a photo that captures the spirit of agricultural life in Illinois? 🌽🚜🐮🌾🌱🍅🥕
Illinois Extension is inviting you to submit a photo and short testimonial for the 2026 Seasons of Strength Calendar. This calendar will highlight the strength, beauty, and everyday moments of farm life—and we would love for YOUR story to be part of it!
If your submission is accepted for the final calendar, you will receive five copies of the calendar and a gift card as a thank you! 🧡💙
Deadline to submit: September 1, 2025
It's easy to enter:
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit this link to submit your photo: www.tinyurl.com/farm-photo
We look forward to showcasing what makes Illinois agriculture so strong.

05/01/2025

🌾 Honoring : A Message to Our Farmers 🌾

This month, we must emphasize the mental well-being of farmers. Agriculture requires perseverance and endurance, often resulting in stress. Let's acknowledge their crucial contributions and the challenges they encounter. It shows strength to ask for help. Family, friends, and experts familiar with farming are here for support. Together, we can foster a community that encourages open conversations about mental health, ensuring farmers feel appreciated. Taking care of mental health is just as vital as cultivating the land. Let's support our farmers as they tend to the earth. 🌱 Visit www.farmstress.org for ag-specific mental health resources today!

03/06/2025

Is it time for you to hit the hay? 😴 Uncertainties in the agricultural industry at the moment may be hindering your ability to get a good night's rest. We encourage you to seek help from a mental or physical health professional if you are having sleep problems. Visit www.farmstress.org for resources near you 🌱

03/04/2025

Has your farm or ranch been impacted by the federal funding freeze? Check out what The National Young Farmers Coalition is doing to hear your concerns during these times.

Share your story! 📢 About one million U.S. farmers rely on funding through the each year. From investing in land or housing, to purchasing infrastructure like season extension high tunnels, cold storage structures, fencing for livestock, or to transition to sustainable practices that restore soil health, these funds allow farmers to invest in building their businesses.

Young farmers are the workers growing healthy food for our communities, providing national food security, and protecting our soil, water, and other natural resources. We need to let Congress know that farmers need certainty and reliable funding to keep their businesses afloat.

Is the federal funding freeze affecting your farm or ranch? Share the impacts you’re experiencing with Young Farmers’ Policy Team so that we can bring your stories to policymakers. https://youngfarmers.quorum.us/campaign/funding-freeze-stories/

02/11/2025

Have you read our February newsletter yet? If not, check it out here 👉 https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/49/1053954849.html

02/10/2025

Everybody faces stress, but chronic stress can harm your mind and body. Check out this graphic to see how prolonged stress can impact you and the way you work on the farm. Visit www.farmstress.org for agricultural-specific stress management and mental health resources today 🌱

02/08/2025

H5N1: BIRD FLU UPDATES FOR PRODUCERS AND THE PUBLIC WEBINAR

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (H5N1) is widespread among wild birds in the US and continues to cause outbreaks in poultry and spillover to mammals. A new, two-part webinar series from farmdoc daily — beginning Feb. 18 — will provide an overview of the current outbreak in the U.S. and current surveillance and monitoring efforts in Illinois. Presenters — including Illinois State Veterinarian Mark Ernst — will provide information for agricultural producers on testing and infection prevention and control recommendations.

Register here: https://go.illinois.edu/BirdFlu2025

12/27/2024

Following these tips and establishing a routine can be the key to sleeping better.

12/27/2024

Winter is here, and with it, the “winter blues” can creep in. Did you know that 1 in 4 American adults will be diagnosed with a mental disorder in their lifetime?

Stay proactive with your mental health this season! Check out our latest blog for tips on preventing winter blues and maintaining positive mental health.
📌https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/family-files/2023-01-25-how-manage-winter-blues

11/11/2024

Have you read our November newsletter? 📣 If not, check it out here https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/96/1050223496.html !

10/10/2024

On the occasion of 🌎🧠, it is essential to recognize the unique mental health struggles experienced by farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers. 🌱 By increasing awareness and encouraging open dialogues regarding mental health within the agricultural community, we can help and offer the necessary support. Let's ensure that farmers and ag workers have the resources needed to prosper both on and off the farm. Visit www.farmstress.org for stress management and mental health resources today 👈

10/05/2024

📣 Check out our October newsletter here: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/58/1337722158.html !