AgCare Fund

WAYFC is proud to introduce the AgCare Fund, a pilot mental health care fund.

The AgCare Fund was a project that grew out of the Agricultural Community of Interest program that was funded by the Puyallup Watershed Initiative and The Russell Family Foundation based in Pierce County, Washington. The AgCare Fund formally joined the Washington Young Farmers Coalition in January 2023.

This program will provide direct funds in support of mental health for farm workers and farmers in Pierce County, Washington. This round of funding will prioritize historically marginalized communities. 

Farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers have physically demanding jobs that are often exacerbated by economic uncertainty, climate change, severe weather events, and isolation. Those in rural settings often have limited access to healthcare and mental healthcare services. We hope this program will begin to alleviate some of these issues.

Funds could be used for and not limited to:

• Direct costs of mental health treatment 

• Costs of other health treatment or expense that may impact mental health

• Support for barriers associated with mental health needs (transit, housing, medication)

• General expenses for health and well being (relaxation, self care, staycation)

• General expenses related to farming that cause worry or harm to mental health (lease, inputs)

• General expenses related to everyday living (groceries, bills)

• General expenses related to dependents (childcare, etc.)

Applications for this program are now closed.

We will notify recipients by the end of April 2023.

WAYFC is committed to supporting farmer mental health care resources.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988, Available 24/7

Trans Lifeline

877-565-8860, Available 24/7

Western Regional Stress Assistance Program

WRASAP is a group of organizations and community members across the Western region who work in farm stress/agricultural suicide prevention.

FarmAid Hotline

1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)

Hotline hours are Monday through Friday, 6am- 6pm Pacific Time.

Metal Health Crisis Lines in WA State by County

Crisis lines are available 24/7/365 for all Washingtonians (regardless of your insurance status or income level)