Mission
The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (CRHSSD) is leading the effort to build a network of support and resources for Illinois farm families. The purpose of the initiative is to provide a range of resources including a helpline to assist with farmer and farm-related issues that include mental and physical health needs. Additionally, the initiative offers ongoing outreach, education and training to rural clients and partners working to improve the health and safety of farm families.
The Farm Family Resource Initiative seeks to improve the health and well-being of Illinois farm owners and families by:
- Identifying farm family needs, including mental health needs
- Identifying available resources for farm families
- Creating new resources for farm families
- Developing a network of partners to respond to farm family needs
Advisory Council
The FFRI Advisory Council is made up of Agriculture industry professionals from throughout the state who meet monthly to provide guidance and support. They also assist with the dissemination of FFRI materials and program information. The Council is led by Karen Stallman, Ag Resource Specialist.
Services
The Farm Family Resource Initiative helpline is available by call, text and email.
Call/Text helpline
1-833-FARMSOS (833-327-6767)
Email helpline
FarmFamilyResourceHelpline@mhsil.com
Telecounseling
Telehealth counseling sessions with SIU Medicine counselors are available for those in need of additional support. Up to six individual, couple or group sessions are available at no cost to the farmer or farm family member with the support of grant funding.
Resources
The FFRI provides a comprehensive list of resources aimed at supporting farmers and farm families in various aspects of their lives, including mental health, safety, and well-being on the FFRI.
This year a separate section was added in resource list for ag professionals.
Marketing
The Farm Family Resource Initiative's marketing campaign spread throughout the state through advertisement in print publications, radio, billboards, posters, flyers, yard signs and promotional items. A marketing dropbox folder was created to share marketing materials with partners.
Over 54,390 promotional items such as wallet cards, pamphlets, flyers, table tents, tote bags, tractor stress relievers, fans, and much more were distributed to various partners, organizations, insurance providers, Illinois Farm Bureau, and state and county fairs.
Illinois Rural Health Association Newsletter
Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network Annual Conference Program
FarmWeek
AgriNews
Illinois Country Living
Prairie Farmer
Billboards
Introduced Spanish versions of FFRI print materials
Social Media
The FFRI continued to increased social media presence in 2023 on the SIU Medicine Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Social Posts: 29
An increase of 61.1% from previous year
Digital Ads
FarmWeekNow.com - 10,000 ROS geo-targeted (IL) digital display ads each month
Farm Safety and Health Week Boosted Post
Impressions 26,682 | Reach 6,934 | Link Clicks 189
National Rural Health Day Boosted Post
Impressions 112,989 | Reach 80,321 | Link Clicks 125
Liz and Matt Hulsizer Q&A for May Mental Health Awareness Month
Impressions 6,607 | Reach 6,567 | Link Clicks 856
YouTube
The Farm Family Resource Initiative playlist on the SIU Medicine YouTube channel has 78 views from July 2021 - June 2022.
Website
The FFRI website was launched in July 2021 updates have continually been throughout 2023. siumed.org/farm
Website visits: 1,531
*In June of 2023, we were no longer able to track website visits due to changes in HIPPA laws
Media
Media coverage from over 25 news sources from throughout the state
Press releases: 14
Sent to 3,804 contacts
Webinars
"Harvest a Healthier You: Wellness Strategies for Farm Families," hosted and presented by Monica Kramer McConkey, LPCRural Mental Health Specialist. This webinar series covered various topics related to the well-being and mental health of farm families. The series provided valuable insights and resources to support the well-being and mental health of farm families, addressing issues ranging from alcohol use and depression to coping with loss, divorce, and farm legacy transitions.
Women in Ag Series: Three webinars were lead by Monica McConkey, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, on 3 Thursdays in March with 19 participants.
The Aging in Agriculture Forums, Starting the Conversion for the Farms’ Future and Yours addressed the need for landowners to develop a succession plan for the farm. 51 people attended the program that hosted speakers from Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota. Topics covered included developing the roadmap of transition, having difficult discussions with family and farm members and additional services offered by Illinois AgrAbility, Illinois Extension for landowners with limitations. Attendees reported that they learned more about the succession process and indicated that family meeting and family meetings were a key component to the success of the transition plan. Many indicated that the greatest challenge is interpersonal relationships and learning to respect varied viewpoints of family members but yet meet the need and desire to continue the farming enterprise.
The 2023 Rural Mental Health Summit was held on March 28 in Springfield with 48 attendees. Jerry Costello, II, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture opened the event with commitment to the agricultural community for continued support of the mental health well-being efforts. A panel of producers and a health care professional discussed their experience with managing farm life and the importance of support systems and mental health. During Q and A Breakout session, participants learned more about different perspectives of producers and providers. A closing joint session provided a time for sharing and possible future efforts in Illinois.
Blogs
12 blogs published. Promoted on website and social media.
Television
Medicine Minute aired on ABC News Channel 20 and posted on YouTube
Radio
Farmer Dave (KTRS)
Farm Week
KTRS radio
101.7 The Bull
Podcast
Outreach
The Farm Family Resource Initiative increased awareness about the program state-wide during meetings, presentations, webinars and mailings.
Advisory Council
12 Monthly Advisory Council Meetings
Marketing
50 Weekly marketing meetings
Presentations
39 Presentations to agriculture professionals, leaders and members of the community with over 1,798 people reached.
Events & Activities
Illinois Wheat Association Annual Meeting
Monroe County Ag Round-Up
Allwood FFA Chapter Presentation
District 5 FFA Advisor In-Service
Heritage Days at Illinois Farm Heritage Museum
Illinois Association of Soil and Water District Annual Meeting
Madison County Fair
Staunton Outreach Clinic
Illinois State Fair
100 Years of Horsepower
Veteran/Senior Health Fair
AgriSafe network webinar
DuQuoin State Fair
Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Illinois Department of Public Health Meeting
Illinois Food, Farmers Market and Specialty Crop Conference Exhibit
Ag Night, Bockhorn Chemical
Illinois Dairy Summit
Illinois Pork Expo
Madison County Soil and Water Meeting
Rural Mental Health Summit
Planning for the Farm’s Future and Yours Forums
From Food To Flowers: Everything Local Conference
2023 Illinois Hospital Association Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting
2,270 total attendees to events
AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program
The FFRI partnered with AgriSafe and Farm Credit Illinois to provide scholarships for training to rural health care professional.
Resources
The Farm Family Resource Initiative has partnered with NAMI Illinois created a handout with a list of mental health & crisis resources.
Farm Family Services Resource Manual was created for call center
Partners
University of Illinois Extension | Illinois Farm Bureau | Memorial Behavioral Health | Illinois Department of Agriculture | Illinois Beef Association | Illinois Pork Producers | ILSOY | Farm Credit Illinois | Agrisafe | National Alliance on Mental Illness | and more
Financial support for FFRI is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Division of Mental Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in cooperation with USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.