North central farm and ranch stress assistance center: 2025-2026

The University of Illinois received a $2.352 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.525) for the period September 30, 2025 through September 29, 2026. The North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center delivers behavioral health interventions, 24/7 hotline support, and professional training services to connect farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and farm families across the north-central region to mental health and stress assistance resources. The program establishes regional networks and partnerships that provide crisis support, resource navigation, and technical assistance to agricultural populations experiencing occupational and operational stress.

The prime award supports a collaborative regional network model with ten sub-awardees representing land-grant universities and research institutions across the north-central states: University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Arkansas, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri (two sub-awards), Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Nebraska, and University of Wisconsin–Madison, plus Michigan State University. These sub-recipients, awarded between April and June 2026, contribute specialized expertise in behavioral health, agricultural extension, veterinary and diagnostic services, and rural health research to coordinate multi-state stress assistance delivery, peer support networks, counseling voucher programs, and mental health literacy training across the region. Indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded, consistent with NIFA program requirements.