CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is now accepting Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2021 West Virginia Farmers and Ranchers Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant.

The purpose of the FRSAN program is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching and other agriculturally related occupations to stress assistance programs. The establishment of the network assists farmers and ranchers in times of stress and offers a conduit to improving behavioral health awareness, literacy and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers and their families.

“These are federal COVID relief dollars appropriated to states to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic. We hope to target those who were negatively impacted or can help West Virginia build back stronger,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt. “Improving our resiliency in times of emergency can only help protect our citizens in the future.”

Eligible applicants are those that use funds to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary through any of the following, farm telephone helplines and websites, training, including training programs and support groups, and outreach services and activities, including the dissemination of information and materials.

The total amount of funds available for award under this RFA is approximately $401,834.

The grant period will begin February 1, 2022 and end no later than January 31, 2023. For an application and all attachments, please email Leslie Boggess at lboggess@wvda.us.