Headline photo by Jason Vanderkooy

Hello, and Happy Summer from WRASAP! 

Dear Partners in Rural Health,

Things are heating up! August on the farm is a month bustling with activity. Grass silage or hay to get off the ground, crops to monitor and maintain, and equipment to prepare for harvest (which is just around the corner)! However, it also brings one constant challenge that every farmer knows all too well: uncertainty. We might experience a stretch of warm, dry weather perfect for cutting grass silage, only to be hit suddenly by an unexpected summer storm. Alternatively, we could be grappling with a seemingly endless drought. Even when we've done everything right, planted on time, cared for the crops, and kept the equipment in working order, it can be incredibly frustrating to realize that so much still hinges on something as unpredictable as the weather. 

-Maddy V, WRASAP Coordinator

Quarterly Networking Meeting – July 24

Join us for our upcoming quarterly networking meeting on Thursday, July 24^th, 2025 at 1 PM PST. In this session, Drs. Kuan-Ju Chen and Tim C. Dela Cruz will share about the University of Guam’s Farmer Focus Program, an integrated initiative aimed at supporting farmer resilience, mental health, and community well-being across Micronesia with the Farmer Focus Project

Farm Aid 2025 Concert & Festival

Farm Aid is coming to Minneapolis, MN for their 40^th Anniversary! of the resilience, innovation, and hard work of America’s family farmers and ranchers. Set your calendars for September 20^th, 2025 for a powerful musical lineup including Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews, along with performances from artists across genres who support the cause of keeping family farmers on their land...Attend FarmAid 2025

WRASAP Partner Check-Ins Report

Following the federal funding pause, the WRASAP grants team recognized the importance of engaging with our partners individually to check in and explore ways to support these crucial collaborations. These conversations proved so valuable that we’ve decided to make them a biannual event to enhance communication through the Grants team Collaboration

Pizza 4 Producers – Upcoming WA event!

Mark your calendars and bring your appetite—WSU Skagit County Extension is excited to host the 2nd annual Pizza 4 Producers event on Saturday, August 16th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Burlington, WA. This year, we will be offering not only a delicious, complimentary pizza lunch but also a one-of-a-kind experience that blends agricultural heritage with community wellness and support...Learn more about the Threshing Bee

Quarter 2 Mini-Grants have been awarded!

After thorough deliberation and discussion, we have awarded our WRASAP mini-grants for Quarter 2! This quarter received a record number of 10 applications, and we would like to take a moment to thank each and every applicant. Our review team unanimously agrees that this round was challenging..Read More about the many innovative and impressive submissions.

Available 24/7 in WA, OR, AZ, MT, and WY 

1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)

6AM-6PM – PST

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Mental health is good health. As trusted providers, your voice helps normalize conversations about emotional wellbeing in agriculture. Please share these resources, attend the screening event, and continue to connect your communities to support.

Thank you for all you do for our farmers, ranchers, and rural families.

With gratitude,

Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership (WRASAP)

🌐 www.farmstress.us

The Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership is supported by the USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, under agreement numbers: 2020-70028-32731 proposal number: 2020-07631 and 2023-70028-41285 proposal number: 2023-08871. The Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership is an equal access/equal opportunity program.