Farmers First Act of 2023

The Farmers First Act of 2023 amends the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program to expand mental health support for farmers and ranchers. It increases annual funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal years 2024-2028, adds crisis lines to the program’s services, and expands referral options to connect individuals with certified community clinics, health centers, rural clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and critical access hospitals. These changes directly affect agricultural workers facing mental health or substance use challenges by improving access to specialized care. The bill focuses on strengthening existing support infrastructure rather than creating new programs.