In The News

The remoteness of rural life can take a toll on mental health, so check in on your farming neighbors and friends.

Brian Reisinger, author of "Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer," interviewed Farmer Angel Network's board member Christy Updike for the article. Brian writes that “...when we face our own trauma, it colors and deepens what we experience.”

Dorothy Harms and Vicky Meinholz, two of the leaders of the Farmer Angel Network, continue their conversation with the Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres about suicide prevention and the importance of hope in rural communities.

Culver’s donated a portion of proceeds from the streaming success of the film Green and Gold to the Farmer Angel Network, helping fund its mission to support farmer well-being through community events, education, and mental health resources.

Dorothy Harms and Vicky Meinholz, two of the leaders of the Farmer Angel Network, join “Rural Realities” to share their story and mission. The network was created after the loss of their friend, Leon Statz, who died by suicide. Since then, Dorothy and Vicky have dedicated themselves to supporting farmer mental health through education, outreach, and unique community events. In this episode, they connect with Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres to talk about suicide prevention and the importance of hope in rural communities.

This week on NEWisco Weekend, we celebrate National Farmer’s Day. Guests:

• Brenda Statz,

• Dorothy Harms,

• Holly Herline,

• Ryan Rasmussen,

• Tim Heiman,

• Wagon Roots

Public Health Sauk County announces the recipients of the 2025 Public Health Excellence Awards, a new recognition program celebrating the community's health champions. Farmer Angel Network was selected for mental health advocacy.

Suicide Prevention in Wisconsin's Farming Communities
Podcast episode discussing the Farmer Angel Network, a support group devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. Describes the origins of the group, the impacts of suicide in farming towns, how local hospitals contribute to the initiative, and the resources available to support families and loved ones.
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association

It’s a sunlit day in Sauk County, Wisconsin, and the Reisinger family’s Hilltop Farm is serving as both a place to celebrate while also sharing an important call to action. Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, is “live on the farm” for a special broadcast featuring tough discussions about the challenges that are often kept quiet, how resilience has carried the family forward, and the fate of farms in the future.

Broadcasting from the Reisinger Family Farm in Spring Green, this episode celebrates Jim and Jean Reisinger's 49th anniversary and dives into the legacy of family farming. Brian Reisinger shares insights from his acclaimed book 'Land Rich Cash Poor,' exploring a century of agricultural evolution and economic challenges. Maggie discusses mental health in farming communities with the Farmer Angel Network, shedding light on depression, isolation, and the critical need for support. This hour underscores the resilience of American farmers, the importance of tradition, and the urgent call for mental health resources in rural areas.

Fast food chain Culver's, through its Thank You Farmers Project, committed to donating $1 for every rental or digital purchase of Green and Gold . "It's such an honor for us to give back to our guests," Alison Demmer, Culver's senior public relations manager, told Farms.com.

Susan Doherty, AHA's Vice President of Field Engagement, and Rebecca Chickey, AHA's Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services, write on the unique ways suicide affects rural communities and the innovative ways rural health care providers are caring for their neighbors. In response to this crisis, rural hospitals are stepping up in innovative ways. The Farmer Angel Network is dedicated to suicide prevention in Wisconsin’s farming communities. They rely on peer and community outreach and education specifically targeted to those often-stoic individuals facing the challenges of modern farming.

How can new advocacy models help dairy farmers tackle today’s mounting mental health challenges? Dairy farmers face a growing mental health crisis, with studies indicating that 75% experience significant stress and that suicidal ideation rates are about double those of the general population. Innovative approaches, such as Culver’s engagement-linked donations to the documentary ‘Green Gold,’ alongside community-based programs like the Farmer Angel Network and Farm Family Alliance, are reshaping the support flows for farms. These initiatives demonstrate how authentic storytelling and transparent engagement can break cultural barriers and connect consumers with farms. 

Culver’s pledged $1 per rental or digital purchase of “Green and Gold,” up to 100,000 streams. The goal was reached, resulting in a $100,000 donation. Funds were distributed to Farmer Angel Network, Farm Family Wellness Alliance, and National FFA. The donation continues Culver’s commitment through its Thank You Farmers® Project. Since 2013, Culver’s has raised over $6.5 million to support agricultural education and rural communities.

In our ever-changing world, may there always be a place for stories that celebrate the undying dedication of the American farmer. Kudos to Culver’s for bringing this inspiring story to the screen.

Earlier this year, Culver’s pledged to donate $1 for every rental and digital purchase of the movie “Green and Gold,” up to 100,000 streams, to organizations that support family farmers. Thanks to a successful streaming launch, Culver's has officially donated $100,000, distributed across the following three agricultural organizations: Farmer Angel Network, Farm Family Wellness Alliance, and the National FFA.

Earlier this year, Culver’s pledged to donate $1 for every rental and digital purchase of the movie Green and Gold, up to 100,000 streams, to organizations that support family farmers. Thanks to a successful streaming launch, Culver’s has officially donated $100,000  to support the agricultural community.

The former host of Around the Farm Table is working to help fellow farmers. “So, today, I am going to auction off all of the clothes I used to wear on Around the Farm Table for that cause. I want to give all the money to the Farmer’s Angel Network. Because they’re also an organization that helped me out of my own burnout and my own depression.”

The former host of Around the Farm Table is working to help fellow farmers. “So, today, I am going to auction off all of the clothes I used to wear on Around the Farm Table for that cause. I want to give all the money to the Farmer’s Angel Network. Because they’re also an organization that helped me out of my own burnout and my own depression.”

Former host of “Around the Farm Table” Inga Orth invited the community to her farm Sunday. For several years, the dairy farmer used Isidore’s Dairy in Trempealeau County to support other local farmers with her annual market. Orth says Farmer Angel Network is"an organization that helped me out of my own burnout and my own depression."

The drama filmed in Door County has hit 100,000 streams since April. That’s not just another impressive milestone for the indie movie about a family dairy farmer who bets on the Green Bay Packers to win the Super Bowl to save his farm. It also means three agriculture organizations benefit from a $100,000 gift from Culver’s.

Mental health services, suicide hotlines, and other tools are needed. But decoding rural America’s mental health crisis requires looking back. The following is a column adapted with permission from “Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer,” out in paperback Sept. 2.

Based in Sauk County, Wisconsin, the Farmer Angel Network is the founding organization behind a growing rural mental health initiative serving South Central ...

Founders of the Farmer Angel Network talk about rural mental health services and the effort to reduce mental health stigma for farmers and rural communities.

Two items in the paper this week talk about mental health: The Farmer Angel Network picnic honoring Brian Webster’s memory and Robin Boles’ Sustainability Matters column about the power of saying “no.” Both pieces impacted me greatly. They also made me realize that too often we push conversations about mental health to the side, bury them under a rug or ignore them completely. We can’t do that anymore. Which is why I’m sharing this story.

The Western Wisconsin Farmer Angel Network is hosting a memorial picnic for Brian Webster from noon-4 p.m. July 27 at Sno Hill Chapel, N3699 730th St., Ellsworth. With a free will donation, silent auction, catering from Meatheads and activities, they hope to raise money to help the cause.

The Farmer Angel Network works to connect farmers with therapy and other mental health resources. Webster said they use some of their money to buy gift cards for farmers or pay some of their bills, taking some of the burden off them.

Farmers are among the most likely to die by suicide, in comparison to other occupations, according to a study published in January 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Roecker and Statz set up Farmer Angel Network, a support group for local families in the farming industry.

Dorothy Harms, co-founder of Farmer Angel Network, presents to the Sauk County Institute of Leadership participants on April 10.

Come and learn from one of our many educational presentations on topics such as bee keeping, Farmer Angel Network, Young Acres Orchard, St. Croix Stars 4H and many more.

Through this campaign, Culver’s will donate $1 for every early digital purchase and rental of the new movie Green and Gold (up to $100,000) to benefit the Farm Family Wellness Alliance, Farmer Angel Network, and FFA. These funds will go directly toward expanding access to vital services that help farm families manage stress, connect with one another, and navigate challenges with the support of a caring community.

On October 2, 2019, the Wisconsin State Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) directed DHS to provide an annual report regarding suicide prevention activities in the state. This report is submitted in fulfillment of this directive, and as such, it details suicide prevention activities which occurred across Wisconsin between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. 

Culver's funds benefit three organizations that work to support family farmers and agriculture education.

Culver’s is once again spotlighting its agricultural roots as "Green and Gold"—filmed in Door County—makes its streaming debut. The Wisconsin-based restaurant chain is pledging $1 per early digital purchase or rental of the film, up to $100,000, to support family farmers and agriculture education.

Culver's will be donating $1 per rental and early digital purchase of the film (up to a total of $100,000) to three organizations: Farmer Angel Network, the Farm Foundation-led Farm Family Wellness Alliance and FFA. Each organization provides crucial programming and assistance for farmers and the next generation of leaders in agriculture. With the donations, Culver's aims to continue spotlighting the irreplaceable role of farmers and agriculture in the world while providing them with resources that help them achieve success.

After sponsoring the theatrical release of the acclaimed movie “Green and Gold,” Culver’s is now pledging additional support for the agricultural community to celebrate its streaming debut. The Wisconsin-based restaurant chain has announced a donation of $1 per stream of the film up to $100,000, with funds benefiting three organizations that work to support family farmers and agriculture education.

The Farmer Angel Network has announced a special book club series featuring the new book, “Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold Story of the Disappearing American Farmer,” by award-winning journalist Brian Reisinger.

Anna Bobb, MPH, published an opinion editorial in a special to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel where she highlights Farmer Angel Network co-founder Brenda Statz's personal story. Anna Bobb discusses the urgent need for more mental health workers in the U.S., particularly in Wisconsin, highlighting the impact of mental health issues on families and advocating for a peer-based approach to address workforce shortages. She explains solutions include diversifying the workforce with lightly trained mental health workers from their own communities, integrating mental health into primary care, and expanding telehealth.

Farmer Angel Network was highlighted in an article by Agriview called "Be Strong; Ask for Help." The article talks about how important it is to ask for help in farming. At the Farmer Angel Network, we believe that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Farming can be tough. There are many challenges like bad weather, changing markets, and daily tasks. Having a support system can really help. That’s why we are here!

"Matenaer On Air" offers daily Wisconsin news to gets you ready for the day with laughter and the facts you need to know reaching 10,000 plus followers. Greg Bach interviews FAN co-founder to learn more about our efforts.

The Farmer Angel Network is a support group devoted to suicide prevention in Wisconsin's farming communities. In this conversation, Brenda Statz, co-founder of the Farmer Angel Network, Carey Craker, marketing and volunteer services associate at Reedsburg Area Medical Center, and Christy Updike, transformation program manager at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, discuss how this impactful work began, the domino effect that suicide can have in farming towns, and the resources available to support families and loved ones.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) interviews FAN co-founder Dorothy Harms for Suicide Prevention Week to learn about FAN efforts.

Writer Jim Massey shares information from the Western Wisconsin Farm Summit, a collaborative effort between Farmer Angel Network; it's branch in Western Wisconsin; UW-Extension Agriculture; and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Wisconsin Farm Center. The summit was intended to help those who care for farmers and farm workers understand the unique challenges they face and practical approaches to provide care for them.

As awareness of rural mental health issues grows, so too does a mosaic of efforts to help: teletherapy, hotlines, “resiliency circles” and more. In and interview with Farmer Angel Network co-founder Dorothy Harms, she says, “By having an opportunity for fellowship and people getting to share what’s going on, it just opens the doors for possible further discussion, deeper discussion.” 

Wormfarm Institute has supported Farmer Angel Network over the years by spreading word of our efforts in their magazine and including FAN in the Farm Art DTour. Find us this year in the magazine here, at Witwen park and Harrisburg School.  The 2024 event was expected to draw in 15,000 participants over the two weekends.