In this training, Alexandria Ward and Rachel Van Boven, Farm Aid Hotline staff, share recommended practices to use during initial meetings with a farmer in financial distress and ways to develop trust with farmers. Alexandria is the Farmer Services Network Manager. Among other things at Farm Aid, she leads the work on the Farmer Resource Network search tool, collaborates on disaster response, and is on the hotline team. Rachel has been a Farm Aid hotline operator since 2021 and comes from a long line of family farmers. She is a former elementary school teacher and organic farmhand, and also has training in interfaith chaplaincy.
Materials
Triage and Referral Training Presentation
Drawing on experience from the Farm Aid Hotline, this presentation highlights recommended strategies for initial meetings with farmers in distress, ways to build trust with farmers, and confidentiality agreements.
Helping Farmers in Financial Crisis
This resource guides direct service providers through the first conversation with a farmer in financial crisis. (Credit: Scott Marlow with Andy Pressman)
Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being
Description: This guide highlights issues that make farming challenging and provides strategies and resources to support farmers in building and maintaining resilience. (Credit: Farm First with Andy Pressman)
