Calls to PA Farmer Crisis Hotline Drop After Early Surge

Despite an ongoing mental health crisis, fewer Pennsylvania farmers are calling a helpline designed for them.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:00am

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An extremely blurred and abstracted photograph of a rural farming scene, with a tractor, barn, and rolling hills visible in soft, warm pools of color and light, conveying the emotional tone and conceptual meaning of the story about the decline in usage of a mental health hotline for Pennsylvania farmers.The AgriStress Helpline, designed to support Pennsylvania's agricultural communities, has seen a sharp decline in usage since its initial launch, highlighting the ongoing challenges farmers face in accessing mental health resources.Bellefonte Today

Calls and texts to an emergency line supporting agricultural communities have plummeted in Pennsylvania since a federal grant lapsed. The Shapiro administration is now delivering $100,000 to staff the helpline, though the nonprofit that operates it had also requested funds for promotion.

Why it matters

Pennsylvania's usage of the AgriStress Helpline has gone down significantly, which experts say is likely due to reduced promotion after the initial grant funding expired. This highlights the ongoing challenges farmers face in accessing mental health resources, as agriculture has one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation.

The details

Between February 2022 and June 2024, the AgriStress Helpline fielded 107 calls and texts from Pennsylvania farmers and those calling on their behalf. Of those, 58 came in the first 11 months after the number launched statewide with help from a $500,000 federal grant. However, the nonprofit that operates the helpline reported a 300% decrease in usage since 2024. They believe this is tied to reduced promotion after the grant lapsed, though the helpline has remained open statewide.

  • The AgriStress Helpline launched statewide in February 2022 with help from a $500,000 federal grant.
  • Between February 2022 and June 2024, the helpline received 107 calls and texts from Pennsylvania farmers.

The players

AgriSafe Network

The nonprofit organization that operates the AgriStress Helpline, focusing on health and safety initiatives among agricultural communities.

Russell Redding

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, who highlighted the 107 calls and texts to the AgriStress Helpline during a joint legislative hearing on mental health.

Elder Vogel

Pennsylvania state senator and chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, who thinks funding for the AgriStress line could be helpful but acknowledged the state's competing needs.

Lisa Wherry

President of Washington County's Farm Bureau, who commended the state for its rollout and promotion of the AgriStress Helpline resource.

Florence Becot

Penn State rural sociologist, who outlined how factors beyond farmers' control put pressure on their mental health and recommended policy solutions to address barriers to accessing support.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we needed it, and we still need it. I think we need it even more so today because of the inflation, the cost of fertilizer, the cost of our weather that affects us traditionally. We've had more storms this year. There's just a lot of barriers that are blocking our way to be successful farmers.”

— Lisa Wherry, President, Washington County Farm Bureau

“Nationally, agriculture has the fourth-highest suicide rate of any occupation, and farmers who die by suicide are less likely than the general population to have had prior treatment or warning signs, making prevention more difficult.”

— Florence Becot, Rural Sociologist, Penn State

What’s next

The Shapiro administration is currently in the contracting process with AgriSafe to allocate $100,000 from the state's Farm Bill to support the AgriStress Helpline. The state will also work with AgriSafe to promote the resource through social media, outreach, and events.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges farmers face in accessing mental health resources, as well as the need for a well-funded, long-term, and stable approach to supporting farm mental health in Pennsylvania. Policymakers must address barriers such as service gaps, worker shortages, and a lack of agricultural-informed care to ensure farmers can get the help they need.