[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6214679,"mediaKeyId","3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6","parentId",3665891,"title","Experts tell Senate to expand mental‑health resources for farmers; FarmNet cited as model","audioSeconds",812,"startMs",2336000,"endMs",3148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6&start=2336&end=3148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6/thumbnail_2336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214679/Experts-tell-Senate-to-expand-mentalhealth-resources-for-farmers-FarmNet-cited-as-model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214679-c359f53898a3e0e3789e942f1c90ae4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452946&Signature=QoZEhF4qjUN56vbnN0ljI2I4F6ju7LeR3sj9~P7vai7pX9VrGSNYWkeLKS1DguCStu0jbP~25uz5urTIkyJyTkvRff4MfmTe4GxLiyRzyqSTh1Ih-IfkCzDzW4wX0uxLltShXRr2bKtCp9m0xXLuSbEXm0TaHPP97KnRgsdReSc2KFB708QBk38HQG9REGgNHJEQ7VcDkBCzMQIQK9GUCL5fHUjcnuiqiTkAxAYUQoHXHOer0SQm5Z24vE3DoxnExQHfFQZ1lkGzgi5qDDuk3YodzoDtpsTvhju2LJwCbQFbWnbL9XRita9KNwjj7JePv~zLtbf~mMlJHjyPeauWhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aging (Special)","date","2025-06-04T00:00:00Z","article","Academic and industry witnesses told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that farmers face elevated rates of depression and suicide and that accessible, tailored mental‑health services are urgently needed. \"It's okay not to be okay but it's not okay not to talk about it,\" Zippy Duvall said, describing Farm Bureau outreach and peer‑support efforts.

Dr. Chris Wolf described Cornell’s New York FarmNet program, which operates a toll‑free line and a team of financial and mental‑health professionals. \"FarmNet receives about 700 calls a year resulting in about 400 new cases being opened,\" Wolf said, and he reported that FarmNet assisted farm businesses in 2024 representing over $13,000,000 in revenue, 600 employees and more than 80,000 acres in production. Witnesses and senators said expanded crisis lines, telemedicine access and public‑awareness campaigns could reduce stigma and improve help‑seeking in remote areas.

Senators referenced prior proposals to create a national hotline for agricultural crisis response. Witnesses recommended better funding for extension and peer‑support programs, collaboration between USDA and land‑grant extension networks, and outreach tailored to rural and farm communities. No formal legislative action was taken at the hearing; senators asked for additional information and pledged to consider statutory and funding options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Aging Farm Workforce: America’s Vanishing Family Farms 06/04/25","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses at a Senate Aging Committee hearing highlighted elevated mental‑health risks among farmers and presented land‑grant extension programs such as New York FarmNet and the Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind as models for expanded, toll‑free crisis and counseling resources.","taxTitle","Aging (Special), Special, Select and Other Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",2006,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6214682,"Growers and senators press trade officials as cheaper imports undercut U.S. produce",154,4259000,4413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6&start=4259&end=4413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6/thumbnail_4259000.jpg","/articles/6214682/Growers-and-senators-press-trade-officials-as-cheaper-imports-undercut-US-produce","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214682-2b8c94a6efa0081d123e013340e1cbf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452946&Signature=TCOUIJGUOELUjFAcbuEk2g7pBoDE6VV2fNSBQjOIRtp0ox~gsEw984ZyknxBAu9Lrc5dW4JVBp11S7Y9NQ~eHaKDBA7~i5wjzAtOPhpi2QwtefxBFh3U5ua9pqKvhiXVO2IxY~dRtF-xq6GPMlH73~heXJXszuivrKVbc~DSmGb05KsRSLOpPrXrTaDk7n8nW4VgVzpBchf-jYJGXxbXsAbRDy0AcIZ~OxyAmn2REFmBkEq0T-WJnJAPZJtQdHZ57tsBqqrW-PO~BtKCSMfOjEtVMUt-EeyRgkwiqddPYMQ6RdZfWRMkjg~WjNpKzp38sGmnf0qgw2mwxdu0GLImvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Growers told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that imports priced below U.S. production costs have depressed prices and pushed some producers to dump unsold crops. \"We couldn't get the order. I can get them delivered from Mexico for $10 — I can't pick and pack them for $10,\" Jim Alderman testified about grape tomatoes.

Senators and witnesses described a pattern where lower production and regulatory costs in exporting countries make it difficult for U.S. growers to compete, especially when combined with high U.S. labor and inspection costs. Committee members discussed recent tariff actions and the Commerce Department’s use of suspension agreements and antidumping measures; witnesses urged a stronger, targeted approach to prevent dumping and to create a \"level playing field.\" One witness suggested a minimum price floor tied to domestic production costs plus a tariff above that floor.

Committee members and witnesses pointed to multiple commodities affected by low-priced imports, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, strawberries and cherries. Witnesses did not present a single legislative solution but said improvements in trade policy, quicker enforcement of antidumping actions and coordinated inspections could reduce the short-term price pressure and give U.S. producers breathing room.

No formal votes or changes to trade policy were made at the hearing; senators asked trade officials for further information and signaled interest in legislative and administrative options to address dumping and competitive harms.","At the Senate Aging Committee hearing growers described imported produce being delivered at prices below U.S. production costs, asking Congress and trade agencies for stronger measures to ensure a level playing field and citing specific examples including tomatoes and other vegetables.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6214683,"Farmers tell Senate H-2A program, wage survey and housing costs are squeezing operations",1807,2580000,4387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6&start=2580&end=4387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6/thumbnail_2580000.jpg","/articles/6214683/Farmers-tell-Senate-H-2A-program-wage-survey-and-housing-costs-are-squeezing-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214683-f6002b1da4d28aba85abc238a29bd370/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452946&Signature=SxKJ6OjF21oM1ADSE9nKYH0z4KNWqT1mg9Vxfhjd7AvZi7rc8Yxo3PeAH0rIV~VJeLzt0P~y7Yd9YZ9RSkCrkwyrcew5CGb42IvAcBQjBKOAqVJP0HXZmNKi~BD14XC5MIpoe0cc8i2KoWJijX7E~2ySFyZdS-mtCd4SsaApFvbBBbPR8Ngp0QcYew4oLNadwG8s4GO91-QR~FViy5757sB4qPe3N42RI9yM6BjUz~iGx6WeSZhYDJ8mfi9OoSf5XnJS7McUuQ2Lz-nPXyEER-w6iLjpfYXSd8z2R2ywcr6NKCFNTPk-VmP5ecTkMlHGOcYRVK~50sJAFQn0MMoP3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Growers and farm-industry witnesses told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that labor shortages and H-2A program costs are a critical constraint on farm viability and succession. \"It costs me $22 an hour for my H-2A labor,\" Jim Alderman, owner of Alderman Farms, told the committee, explaining that employers also pay visa and travel costs and provide housing.

Witnesses and farmers said the Adverse Wage Rate (AWR) or prevailing wage used to set H-2A wages is based on an outdated USDA survey that was not designed to set a wage rate. \"The formula is totally out of, out of workable, and we need to redo that formula and set a fair wage rate,\" one witness said, urging a redesign of the survey and wage methodology.

Speakers recommended both short-term and structural fixes: temporarily freezing wage increases to allow revisions to the survey, developing a year-round foreign-worker program that fits dairy and other continuous operations, simplifying housing liabilities and paperwork, and reducing regulatory burdens tied to inspections and multiple food-safety checks. Several witnesses emphasized that without a reliable and affordable labor supply, younger farmers cannot scale operations even if they have technical training or capital.

Senators asked witnesses about H-2A costs in their states and pressed for legislative and administrative options to ease housing and administrative burdens. Committee members did not adopt formal actions during the hearing but sought further information from USDA and other agencies on wage-setting methodology and H-2A program design.","Growers at a Senate hearing said high H-2A costs, housing obligations and a decades‑old farm wage survey are making seasonal labor unaffordable and urged Congress to reform the program and freeze or redesign the prevailing wage calculation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6214685,"Senate aging panel warns aging farm workforce threatens succession and calls for a modern farm bill",5287,673000,5960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6&start=673&end=5960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3665891-a6f8e90c034752f5ed7a05cfc4617dc6/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6214685/Senate-aging-panel-warns-aging-farm-workforce-threatens-succession-and-calls-for-a-modern-farm-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214685-a94f0feb901fbc6f6d45c65bc8bd749f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452946&Signature=AJ9WpXkMDXz6ruTi1rCE9NR-00utSPm45rxZ82CvCXtzmfeBKoeAMyeYDJ7wnOyOUtJYRINvK7a3JoaSDInwfXoOx-sz-jtNm08W3ChocQegIzGs9sMjwZ1s73m9zxRISoIEY-MbrXgqxNW60QXGZTCOIY5a0TPfygt9XXKPwOb6FvodPt0WT2oVe-4HtGpQ7W8EVQbFQzCssX0iycigd5~ZFgPLWSVOwYAccMEnybHgVHBfF2y7iyJBNI7m8fy2GtWbwUDVPWPwWIeBOJQ276qZJjweFJMAT2VYfBywqC7QB3yDswgM5c-W8IaUSYEH8s2ZF9pUr4zr1DpElLhK4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, witnesses told senators that the nation’s farm workforce is aging, threatening the ability of family farms to transfer operations to the next generation and putting U.S. food security at risk. \"US food security is national security,\" Chairman Scott said in opening remarks, noting the average farmer age and rising retirements.

The committee heard a string of data and firsthand accounts showing the scale of the challenge. Chairman Scott said the average American farmer is 58 and that roughly one-third of farmers and ranchers are older than 65; he added that in Florida about 40% of producers are 65 or older. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, urged Congress to write a \"modernized five-year farm bill\" so farmers can plan and manage volatility. \"We must ensure that we make a way for young and beginning farmers to fill our boots,\" Duvall said.

The witnesses identified several drivers behind the trend: rising input and land costs, debt loads, regulatory and inspection burdens, and limited rural amenities that make farming less attractive to younger families. Duvall told the committee that farm loan programs need streamlining and that estate-tax changes are critical to keeping multigenerational farms intact. \"If the exemption level reverts backwards, many families will risk losing their farm,\" he said.

Researchers and extension professionals told senators that information gaps and lack of planning also hinder successful transfers. Dr. Chris Wolf, EV Baker Professor of Agricultural Economics at Cornell University, described programs that help with succession planning and crisis support. He said Cornell’s New York FarmNet receives about 700 calls a year and opens roughly 400 new cases; in 2024 FarmNet assisted farm businesses representing over $13,000,000 in revenue, 600 employees and helped keep more than 80,000 acres in production.

Private-sector witnesses echoed the need for long-term stability. Aaron Locker, managing director at Kincannon & Reed, said a predictable policy environment and a funded farm bill would restore confidence and investment in leadership and technology across agriculture. \"If we want a strong, sustainable agricultural future, we must invest in people,\" Locker said, urging investments in leadership development, workforce training and rural amenities.

Senators pressed witnesses about the timing and scale of interventions; several emphasized that action on trade, labor and a written farm bill would all be necessary to prevent accelerated farm exits. The hearing record was left open for additional submissions through the date noted by the chair, allowing senators to gather more input before drafting legislation.

The committee did not take formal action during the hearing; witnesses and senators identified priorities — a funded farm bill, expanded succession planning resources and measures to improve farm profitability and rural amenities — as starting points for congressional work.","At a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing, witnesses and senators said an older farm workforce, falling farm counts and rising costs threaten generational transfer of family farms and urged passage of a modern farm bill and support for succession planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Experts tell Senate to expand mental‑health resources for farmers; FarmNet cited as model

Growers and senators press trade officials as cheaper imports undercut U.S. produce

Farmers tell Senate H-2A program, wage survey and housing costs are squeezing operations

Senate aging panel warns aging farm workforce threatens succession and calls for a modern farm bill