The Farm First Program is now available to Vermont dairy farmers and their family members. This program provides short-term counseling and resource/referral information for any concern. It is confidential and free. Click here for more information.
Many employers provide an "employee assistance program" (EAP) for their employees. The Farm First Program is an EAP for dairy farmers. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets coordinated this new program and provided financial support. Yankee Farm Credit and other institutions serving dairy farmers provided additional financial support. The service is provided by INVEST EAP of Burlington, which also provides the EAP for Vermont state employees.
The Farm First Program may be used for any issue. Examples include: legal issues, stress, finances, relationships, medical issues, conflicts, elderly parents, anxiety, nutrition, depression, etc.
Vermont dairy farmers and their family members desiring assistance should call this toll-free number: 1-877-493-6216. Or log on to the INVEST EAP web site and use the password dairy.
Non-dairy farmers and Yankee customers living in New York and New Hampshire can find resources to call in this blog post: Need to talk to someone about financial stress?
UPDATE 5/12/10: The Vermont Agency of Agriculture has posted a news release about the Farm First Program: A New Ally for Dairy Farmers.
