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WSU briefing to Senate panel details Ag Stress Assistance work, counseling vouchers and outreach
Summary
Washington State University staff described the regional AgriStress Assistance Program (RASIP/RASP) and its outreach — including a hotline, counseling vouchers, ag economists, and community gatherings — to address elevated suicide rates among farmers and farmworkers.
The Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee paused its other business to hear a work‑session presentation from Washington State University staff about the university’s Ag Stress Assistance activities. Maddie Vanderkooy, Western Regional Ag Stress Assistance Program coordinator for WSU, described a USDA‑funded regional network that provides outreach, counseling vouchers, economic advising and locally tailored events to reduce farm stress among farmers and agricultural workers.
Vanderkooy said the Western region is culturally and geographically broad — from Pacific Island taro growers to Washington dairies and wheat producers — and that the program is in its fourth round of grant funding. Key program features described to the committee included an online clearinghouse (farmstress.us), a counselor voucher program that offers six free…
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