Dear Colleagues,
USDA NIFA has announced a new funding opportunity, Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which aims to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. The establishment of a network that assists farmers and ranchers in time of stress can offer a conduit to improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers and their families.
The long-term goal of the FRSAN projects is to establish a Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that provides stress assistance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations on a regional basis. Network members must initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through the following:
1. Farm telephone helplines and websites;
2. Training, including training programs and workshops, for the following:
a. Advocates for individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
b. Other individuals and entities that may assist individuals who-
i. are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; and
ii. are in crisis;
3. Support groups; and
4. Outreach services and activities, including the dissemination of information and materials.
Applications will be accepted for Regional Networks. Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state; tribal; local or regionally-based network, or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities, as determined by the Secretary. These collaborations may include the following entities: Indian tribes; State departments of agriculture, State cooperative extension services; and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
The maximum award for a standard grant is $488,000 for one year.
If you are interested in applying to this opportunity, please contact the Office of Contracts and Grants for proposal development assistance. Applications may be submitted online at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=317490
The application deadline is Thursday, July 25th.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)