Non Technical Summary
The Southern Region Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (SR-FRSAN) will strengthen and expand a collaborative, regionally representative network to address the unique stressors faced by farmers, ranchers, farm families, and farmworkers across 13 Southern states and 2 U.S. territories. Building on previous partnerships and lessons learned, the project uses a hub-and-spoke network model to engage land-grant institutions, extension services, farmer advocacy groups, and community-based organizations, ensuring both centralized coordination and localized leadership.State-level lead partners will convene local networks, while regional working groups will co- develop strategies and deliverables, including a resource clearinghouse and shared evaluation tools.The project emphasizes relationship-building, shared governance, and visibility of partners' contributions through regional convenings, monthly meetings, and recognition campaigns. Technical assistance, training, and seed funding will build partner capacity to deliver culturally relevant, locally grounded farm stress support resources and training. A communications coordinator, evaluation specialist, and project manager will ensure smooth operation, while digital infrastructure will facilitate knowledge sharing.Evaluation and reporting systems will capture baseline data, track engagement and measure outcomes. Partner input will inform both strategy and resource development, including best- practice briefs, inventory of farm stress resources, and curated educational training. Additionally, the project will support a regional 24/7 hotline, explore sustainable models for resource dissemination, and engage youth through GIS mapping initiatives. By fostering collaboration, elevating partner visibility, and embedding continuous learning, SR-FRSAN will strengthen the region's ability to respond to farm stress and promote the resilience and wellbeing of agricultural communities.

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
724	6099	3070	100%

Knowledge Area
724 - Healthy Lifestyle;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3070 - Psychology;

Goals / Objectives
The purpose of this project is to convene, engage and rebuild trust amongst organizations and professionals in the 13 states and 2 territories in the Southern region to collaboratively address FRSAN goals by promoting: (1) Partnerships and collaboration; (2) Resource sharing among partners and (3) Local initiatives focused on behavioral health crises & support resources (4) Innovation in programming relevant to individuals and families who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations. This project is conceived against the backdrop of a currently inoperative FRSAN network in the Southern region with the intent of setting up a strong foundation for the regional network's future success.FRSAN GOAL #1: Establish/enhance a regionally representative network of member organizations. Objective 1.1. Network and Relationship development. To build a representative network of organizations serving the interests of farming communities under the threat of a multitude of environmental stressors, we will proactively build connections with key organizations across the 13 Southern states and 2 territories.Objective 1.2. Needs Assessment & Strategic Alignment. We will conduct a baseline assessment with our Lead Partner Organizations to gather information about their previous and current farm stress initiatives, identify the types of support needed to sustain and grow their efforts, and explore opportunities for shared direction across state lines.Objective 1.3. Visibility and Recognition. At the regional kick-off meeting, partners will be invited to present materials and resources developed under the previous FRSAN project or other farm stress and mental health work relevant to the goals of FRSAN. We will highlight and show recognition for partner projects during monthly meetings, feature case studies in newsletters and project reports, and publish best-practice briefs to promote collaborative initiativesObjective 1.4. Shared Governance and Leadership. In addition to delegating state leadership to Lead Partner Organizations to promote shared governance, we will convene cross- organizational working groups composed of representatives of Lead Partner Organizations and network leadership. These working groups will be tasked with leading specific projects--such as developing a vision and strategy for the Southern region resource clearinghouse, exploring the most efficient approaches to a regional hotline, and creating shared evaluation processes and tools.Objective 1.5. Funding & Administrative Support. Each state 'hub' partner will be provided with financial support to dedicate faculty and staff time and resources to network development within their state, as well as the development or dissemination of direct to farmer/farmworker programs. The network leadership team will also share budget templates, draft MOUs and sample scope of work statements to aid all partner organizations in network development.FRSAN GOAL #2: Develop and/or maintain a clearinghouse of farmer assistance programs in the region (also containing programs providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral). The clearinghouse should make nonproprietary information and resources available to the other networks. We will first aim to compile a preliminary resource list based on the resource lists created by other regional FRSANs and the previous iteration of the Southern Region FRSAN, and will begin verifying the accuracy of these resources. In partnership with the National 4-H Youth GIS team (Geographic Information System: see https://4hclub-k12.hub.arcgis.com/), we will develop regional maps of farm stress resources and train partners to use them. The maps will be linked with USDA programs and shared with USDA field offices at the state and county levels. Second, we will convene a working group of representatives from partner organizations with the longer term goal of developing an updated resource clearinghouse.FRSAN GOAL #3: Educate individuals/teams in your region about FRSAN activities and how they can access and use existing resources and programs in their work with agricultural workers and communities under stress. In this 'rebuilding' project, all activities and deliverables will serve to raise awareness of FRSAN activities and tools among regional stakeholders. Lead partner organizations will be encouraged to expand in-state networks to SR-FRSAN's grassroots level points of contact, through partnerships and advisory relationships with farmers and farmer-advocacy non-governmental organizations. Based on information gathered through the baseline survey, monthly trainings, and ongoing feedback from network partners, we will develop and share an inventory of key FRSAN training and practices with partners along with suggested guidance on ways to utilize these resources to reach their audiences. By embedding FRSAN tools and practices within these organizations' ongoing programs, the project's reach and impact will expand organically.FRSAN GOAL #4: Provide a range of services referenced in the legislative authorities, including preventive care activities. Under this objective, we will provide services that support the core functions of the network, particularly bolstering partners' capacity to carry out FRSAN activities, and a shared regional hotline to facilitate confidential early intervention service.Objective 4.1: Regional Hotline. The Rural Concern Line (RCL), an established hotline, will be contracted to answer calls from farmers, farmworkers, and their communities in the Southern Region. The network will market this hotline via agriculture events at both the state and regional level and as part of the expectations of Lead Partner subcontract recipients. The RCL has previously served as the hotline for this region. To better understand and further improve the utilization rates of this resource among target communities, a working group will be convened to strategize the best approach to a regional hotline for future years. The RCL will also work with network leadership to develop an ethical process for regular communication of requests for assistance with appropriate state specific partners.Objective 4.2: Technology to Support Network Engagement. A core focus of the first two quarters of this grant period will be establishing a basic and functional website housing essential information about the network, project updates, impact stories, informational articles, and preliminary resource directory for the region.Objective 4.3: Data, Evaluation & Reporting Infrastructure. The network will be staffed with an evaluation specialist who will further refine the network's logic models, develop surveys and outcome measures, coordinate collection of post-training and quarterly partner feedback, and support evidence-based decision-making.Objective 4.4: Training & Capacity Building. We will create regular learning opportunities that support partners' programming goals, strengthen reciprocity and knowledge sharing, and build overall capacity to address farm stress across the region. Monthly meetings of partners will include training or learning opportunities such as lightning talks, brief evidence-based training, and/or evaluation findings. We will invite lead partner organizations to present these trainings to encourage sharing of knowledge, innovations, and expertise across the network. We will also gather post-training surveys and quarterly feedback to ensure education efforts are relevant and accessible to all participants and the agrarian populations they serve.

Project Methods
Identify and engage state/territory partners, designate lead partner organizations, issue streamlined subcontracts and expand network representation.Form and support cross-organizational working groups with defined projects and resources.Convene network meetings, beginning with a regional kick-off orientation and continuing with monthly sessions.Conduct a baseline assessment to inform partner needs, goals, and cross-state collaboration.Publish newsletters and best practice briefs highlighting replicable partner programs.Compile and map a preliminary resource list using existing FRSAN directories and partner-shared resources.Access and review previously developed SR-FRSAN resources and the procedural rules for adding resources to the clearinghousePlan a future needs assessment on the utility of the web-based clearinghouse.Assess, create and distribute materials for education on FRSAN resources including partner program inventoryAttend and share FRSAN resources at local, state, regional, and national meetings.Initiate subcontract with hotline (Rural Concern Line) to assure continuous serviceCoordinate data sharing with partners and hotline and maintain clearinghouse access.Establish digital platforms, including a website, to centralize resources, updates, and collaboration.Through partner subcontracts, support direct services to farmersDeliver ongoing training, peer learning, and support for program piloting and evaluation.Hire StaffAttend FRSAN NCC MeetingsOversight of state subcontractsEstablish data, evaluation and reporting infrastructure to gain feedback and guide continuous improvement of partner-led farm stress effortsApply for additional funds to expand technological access to farm stress materials, expand support to collaborative learning network and to sustain clearinghouse and farmer helplineSupport partner work to maintain local farmer education and resource sharing past life of FRSAN