CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has reopened applications 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 agriculture 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.

“After the first application window, we got little interest from organizations. Our goal is to ensure these dollars are utilized in our state. That is why we have reopened the application window,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

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 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 $300,000.

“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,” Leonhardt said. “Improving our resiliency in times of emergency can only help protect our citizens in the future.”

The grant period will begin May 1, 2022 and end no later than April 30, 2023.

For an application visit: Farmers & Ranchers Stress Assistance Network : West Virginia Department of Agriculture, or contact Leslie Boggess at lboggess@wvda.us.