Dear Chairs Anthony and Bollin,
We are writing regarding the elimination of state funding for the Farmer Suicide Prevention Program. This program is a lifeline for many of Michigan’s farmers who suffer the worst suicide rate in the country for an occupation that already has of the highest rates of suicide. In last year’s budget, this program received $112,000 from the state and a $90,000 federal grant. State funding has paid for 56% of this program since 2020 and has paid for 550 therapy visits and reached over 10,000 people across Michigan through educational presentations and workshops.
There are around 44,000 farms in Michigan today, employing over 98,000 workers according to state data. In 2023, 95% of these farms were owned by families and only 46% of them had a positive net income from farming, according to data from the USDA. These financial stresses are added to by these folks being subject to the mercy of commodity markets and weather patterns that they have no control over and the pressure of keeping their farm in their family when it is as hard as it has ever been for them to do. It is no wonder that many experts believe that the most recent rate as of 2023 of 84.5 per 100,000 workers is an undercount.
Since this funding was not restored, it was reported by Bridge Michigan that these farmers, who often either have insurance that does not cover mental health care or no insurance at all, are now paying $150 for one hour of therapy, out of their own pocket. As the new federal farm bill for 2026 is still being negotiated, this program has shut down. This is lifesaving medical treatment for the people who feed our state and our country in one of Michigan’s most important economic industries.
For these reasons, we respectfully urge the leaders of the Michigan legislature to restore this funding as a priority in any future supplemental appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year and to ensure that during the 2027 budget negotiations, this funding is guaranteed to be provided year over year to ensure that our farmers know that when they need help, they will always have someplace to turn to.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
