Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Designating Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry - recently joined Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating May 29, 2026, as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. A companion resolution has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL-12) and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08).

"Farmers and ranchers in Kansas, along with their families, face challenges, stress and uncertainty as a part of their daily work," said Sen. Moran. "At a time when farmers and ranchers in western Kansas recently faced devastating wildfires and financial strain is impacting producers across the country, it is critical that our producers have access to the mental health resources and support they need. By spreading awareness and sharing that care is available, we can help to make certain those who are hurting know there is always hope."

The resolution is cosponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

The legislation is supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Farmers Union, Nebraska Wheat Board, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Rural Health Association, American Soybean Association, National Pork Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, Agricultural Retailers Association and Farm Credit Services of America. Their statements of support can be found here.

Resources for those in need of mental health care can be found here. Full text of the Senate resolution can be found here.

Sen. Moran's work to support mental health care:

• Expanding mental health resources for farmers & ranchers: In 2018, legislation cosponsored by Sen. Moran was signed into law as part of the Farm Bill, expanding access to critical mental health resources for farmers and ranchers. The FARMERS FIRST Act established programs including a crisis hotline and suicide prevention training for farm advocates.
  
  
• Establishing & securing funding for the 9-8-8 hotline: In 2020, President Trump signed Sen. Moran's legislation into law, establishing 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. In his role on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Moran works to secure robust funding for the 9-8-8 hotline each fiscal year.

# # #