Dear Neighbor,
Just a couple of quick notes I want to pass along today.
First, tomorrow morning (Wednesday) I will be participating in a “Focus on Farming” panel discussion at Shady’s Hometown Tavern in Albany (451 Railroad Ave.). The public is welcome to attend and ask questions or provide input but, if you can’t be there in person, the event also will be broadcast live on KASM (1150 AM) from 9:15 to 11 a.m.
Minnesota Department of Ag Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Sens. Torrey Westrom and Michelle Fischbach, and several others will be on hand as well to address a wide variety of ag issues. I hope you are able to either join us at Shady’s or tune in to KASM for what should be a productive event.
On a separate ag topic, I want to share information regarding the Farm and Rural Helpline, a resource the Dept. of Ag recently launched to help those facing a variety of challenges in Greater Minnesota. The helpline is designed to be a one-stop-shop of sorts for farmers to access to get referrals for mental health services, financial counseling, legal help and other resources that stressed farmers may be seeking.
People can start to feel like it is the world against them when financial and emotional strains mount. As a farmer myself, I am familiar with how the ups and downs of the ag industry can weigh on someone. The big thing for people to know is that help is available if they pick up the phone, but they have to take that first step. I hope people will find this new service to be helpful.
The helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling toll-free (833) 600-2670. Click here for a news release from the MDA.
Sincerely,
Paul