Help is available for Minnesota producers facing times of stress

For Minnesota farmers and livestock producers experiencing times of stress due to business and financial challenges, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) offers a reminder of free, confidential tools that are available to help.

“From low commodity prices and extreme weather to continued threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Minnesota’s farmers and their families face a wide range of unique stressors that can have ripple effects in all areas of life,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “You do not have to navigate times of hardship on your own. I encourage farmers and their families to make use of the MDA’s resources designed to support you.”

The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Calls are answered 24/7 by trained counselors who can lend a listening ear or connect you with help for business, financial, or legal problems. Call 833-600-2670 or text “FARMSTRESS” to 898211 to get started.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis caused by either a natural disaster or financial problems, contact one of the MDA’s nine Farm Advocates. They know all about agricultural lending practices, mediation, lender negotiation, farm programs, crisis counseling, disaster programs, and to recognize the need for legal and/or social services.

Minnesota also has Ted Matthews and Monica McConkey, experienced, ag-focused mental health providers who offer confidential counseling services at no cost to farm individuals, couples, or families anywhere in the state. Sessions can take place in person, on Zoom, or over the phone, and insurance is not needed. They have helped hundreds of Minnesota farmers and farm family members over the years.

For financial assistance, the Rural Finance Authority (RFA) provides a variety of low-interest loans, including one for disaster relief. The MDA also posts a number of grant opportunities throughout the year, such as the AGRI Livestock Investment Grant, which can help improve, update, and modernize livestock operation infrastructure and equipment.

Specific to dairy farms, Dairy Business Planning Grants cover 50% of your cost to hire a qualified, independent third party to create a business plan for your operation or test for stray voltage. Dairy Profit Teams provide planning and problem-solving services throughout Minnesota.

To learn more about all of the state resources that are available to help in times of stress, visit www.minnesotafarmstress.com, or contact the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or by texting “FARMSTRESS” to 898211.

‘Meatpreneurs’ workshop planned for Saturday in Willmar

The Minnesota Farmers Union Bottleneck Project Team will host a “Meatpreneurs” workshop on Saturday at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 713 12th Street S.W., Willmar, MN 56201. There is no cost to attend.

The “Meatpreneurs” workshop is targeted to those interested in local meat processing. The workshop will include information about a unique structured apprenticeship program that can enable an aspiring meat business owner to learn the skills required to operate a processing business as they work under the guidance of experienced owner/trainer. Speakers from Willmar’s Bremer Bank, Marshall’s Small Business Development Center, Ridgewater Technical College Meat Cutting Program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Latino Economic Development Center and CLUES will speak about programs and resources that can assist a “Meatpreneur” on the path from working at to the purchase and ownership of a local meat processing business. Rounding out the program will presentations by two local processors from Kerkhoven who will share their experiences in the business.

The program begins with registration at 10 a.m. Saturday and concludes by 1:30 p.m. Lunch is included. Registration is requested at https://z.umn.edu/WillmarSignUp to be sure there’s an accurate count for lunch.

“This workshop is designed to give interested people a snapshot of the ‘how to’ when it comes to owning and managing their own small meat shop or locker,” said Paul Sobocinski, workshop organizer. “It’s for anyone who has thought ‘maybe, at some point, I’d like to be an entrepreneur.'”

The Bottleneck Project Team began working in 2021 to identify and minimize local meat processing bottlenecks. The need for skilled labor and an effective program designed to ease the business transition from a retiring owner to the next successful operator were two issues identified by meat owners that the Bottleneck Team interviewed.

The Bottleneck Project was developed with the support of the Minnesota Farmers Union, University of Minnesota Rural Sustainable Development Program and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to support family farmers and the local food economy in rural Minnesota.

For more information, call Paul Sobocinski at (507) 430-1509.