Cultivemos’ mission is to bring agricultural community well-being to the table by building an inclusive network of partners and providers.
We are dedicated to advancing the well-being of agriculture producers, workers, and their families through accessible and effective mental health care and assistance programs.
We aim to improve mental and behavioral health awareness, literacy, access, and outcomes for the agricultural community in the Northeast. We believe our approach will help achieve long-term well-being. It allows farmers to emerge from crisis better equipped with new management, skills, tools, robust support systems, and effective stress management.
This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) project 2019-70028-30464 and 202-70028-32729.
Our vision is guided by the belief that diverse agricultural communities in the Northeast should be connected to accessible, culturally-competent, timely, and effective mental health care.
Cultivemos is a community call to cultivate mental well-being together. We are Spanish-led to focus on language justice and inclusivity. These resources are for every agricultural worker, no matter their background.
Born from grassroots beginnings, Cultivemos was created to improve the emotional wellness in the farming community.
The 2018 Farm Bill established, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) to develop a network of service providers dedicated to wellness in for agricultural workers. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a branch of USDA, awarded funds to four the regional entities.
Northeast Funds Were Granted To;
Our reach
Cultivemos services communities in: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Our region provides:
- Training Programs and Workshops
- Outreach Services
- Peer Groups
- Resource Clearinghouse
- Telephone Helpline in Spanish and English
Values
Definitions
- We aim to be inclusive and respectful of multiple, divergent perspectives.
- Differing perspectives, including those thought of as unpopular, will be honored and given space.
- We value new perspectives and ideas as a recognition that our work will continually evolve.
Action and Commitments
- We will establish community agreements to create safe spaces for differing perspectives.
- We will establish a process for conflict resolution and consensus building, honoring multiple perspectives.
Definitions
- We will not shy away from working on structural change in our agricultural system.
- We will work to address symptoms and root causes.
- We commit to maintaining a long-term perspective.
- We will view our work in the context of supporting farm families, communities, and the next generation of farmers.
Action and Commitments
- We recognize and address the underlying economics, policies, and systematic racism and oppression that lead to farm stress.
- We will not restrain ourselves to traditional resources and solutions.
- We will respond to not only crises but also integrate preventative measures.
- We will develop multifaceted evaluation methods that aim to assess our work of transforming the agricultural system.
Definitions
- Our work is informed by evidence and is outcome-oriented: We want to advance efforts that prove successful in helping our farming communities thrive.
- We respect knowledge and expertise from prior projects, community practices, and existing programs to guide our work.
- We aim to learn lessons from proven models and be willing to innovate based on evaluation practices that account for the impacts in our farming communities, in particular underserved communities.
- We will avoid unnecessarily duplicating efforts and will seek to channel resources and support to interventions that are effective.
Action and Commitments
- We will aggregate data from existing models and create opportunities for the data to be accessible to all members
- We will collect and amplify lessons learned from proven models and give proper citation and acknowledgement to the existing work.
- We will proceed with built-in evaluation and feedback processes that allow for an accurate assessment on project benefits to our farming communities.
- Evaluation processes will specifically account for impacts on underserved and historically underrepresented farming communities - and projects should be evaluated based on those benefits.
Definitions
- We aim to be as inclusive as possible with a seat at the table for all that should and can be involved.
- We will work to reduce the barriers that prevent some from having a seat at the table, including resourcing and funding for involvement.
- We will look at all aspects of stress in different farming communities and recognize that stress does not look the same for all communities, nor do the same solutions work for all communities or individuals.
- We are dedicated to creating and providing appropriate and accessible recourse for farmers and farmworkers.
- We dedicate time and effort to reach all types of farming communities in the NE.
Action and Commitments
- We will continually use multifaceted evaluation methods to understand the gaps.
- We will use feedback loops to ensure that impacted communities have the opportunity to assess and guide our efforts.
- We will enact accountability measures to show our progress addressing gaps and how we are meeting the needs of impacted communities.
- We will resource our efforts on inclusion and compensate organizations and individuals for their work in providing feedback and helping to improve Cultivemos.
- The Farmer/Farmworker Advisory Board features paid opportunities for farmers and farmworkers to be involved in Cultivemos.
Definitions
- We recognize and honor that the agricultural community is at the center of this project.
- We will ensure that agricultural worker voices are heard and our work is informed by their perspectives and experiences.
- We listen to agricultural workers to ensure that our strategy and work is effective, accessible, and appropriate
- We seek to position farming communities as leaders in the work, providing opportunities for them to actively participate and lead our efforts.
Action and Commitments
- We make a community commitment to build systems to ensure our work is agricultural worker informed.
- We will build in feedback loops to gather input and feedback from those we serve.
- Our Farmer/Farmworker Advisory Board has paid opportunities for agricultural workers to be involved in the decision making process of Cultivemos.
- The Advisory Board works directly with the Advisory Team to provide feedback, review resources, and share expertise on Cultivemos activities.
Definitions
- We acknowledge the long history and racism and inequity in our country and agricultural systems.
- We recognize that stress in farming and ranching communities results from, and is deeply connected to, historic and ongoing racism and inequity in our country and its agricultural and healthcare systems.
- We recognize the past and current harms done to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in the realms of agriculture and mental health.
- We are committed to racial equity and anti-racist organizing.
Action and Commitments
- Each Cultivemos member will sign a commitment to racial equity organizationally.
- We will feature a BIPOC farmer and service provider cohort.
- The Cultivemos Advisory Team features at least one BIPOC-led organization.
- The Farmer/Farmworker Advisory Board includes at least 30% BIPOC farmers.
- We will direct resources and funding to BIPOC-led organizations.
Definitions
- We aim to cement this work in farming and ranching communities and service provider networks so the work will continue when Cultivemos is no longer funded
- We recognize that Cultivemos sustainability and resiliency will depend on effectiveness.
- We recognize that stable resourcing and funding is necessary for sustainability and resiliency.
Action and Commitment
- We plan for sustainability/resiliency from the beginning and throughout our efforts.
- We will incorporate a Strategic Planning Process into the project to ensure sustainability and resiliency are a part of the ongoing work.
- We will seek additional resources to support the work and make sure those resources are available to all members.
Definitions
- We recognize that transparency is essential to building trust among Cultivemos members for collaboration
Action and Commitments
- All Cultivemos decision-making processes will be shared with Cultivemos members.
- Our financial and resource allocation methods, as well as accountability structures, will be shared with Cultivemos.
- The Farmer Advisory Board will be involved in developing decision-making processes.
Definitions
- We honor and support collaboration between all parties, including but not limited too; farmers, service providers, state departments of agriculture.
- We recognize that reciprocity and generosity are the building blocks of collaboration.
- We recognize that a truly collaborative network is interdependent.
Action and Commitments
- We will create feedback loops between all stakeholders
- We will allow sufficient time for collaboration on all aspects of the project.
- The creation of Cohorts within Cultivemos will allow for creative collaboration between Cultivemos members
Resources
As of summer 2022, the Cultivemos Network consists of approximately 160 individuals from over 90 organizations providing a range of services from mental health advocate and stress wellness to financial literacy and farmland management.
Partners and service providers
- Finance: Helping Farmers in Financial Crisis
- Disaster: Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Preparing for Disaster and Finding Disaster Assistance for your Farm or Ranch
- Legal: I’m a Farmer. When do I Need a Lawyer?
- Farm Stress: Farm Stress and Emotional Well-Being (2 parts)
- Cultivemos Mental Health Cohort’s Stronger Together: An introduction to understanding, recognizing, and addressing mental health in the farm community
Publications en espanol
- Managing Finances in the United States Facilitation Guide for Employers and Educators Working with Farmworkers [PDF / Word en espanol]
- Keeping Your Money Safe by Using Financial Services [PowerPoint en espanol]
- Understanding Your Paycheck and Pay Stub [PowerPoint en espanol]
- Creating a Spending Plan [PowerPoint en espanol]
- Accessing Health Care Services and Health Insurance Basics [PowerPoint en espanol]
Publications in English
- Managing Finances in the United States Facilitation Guide for Employers and Educators Working with Farmworkers [PDF / Word in English]
- Keeping Your Money Safe by Using Financial Services [PowerPoint in English]
- Understanding Your Paycheck and Pay Stub [PowerPoint in English]
- Creating a Spending Plan [PowerPoint in English]
- Accessing Health Care Services and Health Insurance Basics [PowerPoint in English]
- Farm Aid Hotline: “If you need to talk to someone directly, we are here to listen. Whether you have been farming for a few years or decades we welcome your call, our team will listen and point you in the right direction. You can call the farmer hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). Our Farm Aid staff answer the hotline Monday through Friday from 9am to 10pm ET / 6am to 7pm PT.” ENG and ESP.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (ESP): “We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.”
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (ENG)
- Cultivating Resilence Podcast
Check out the podcast Cultivating Resilience on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts!
If you’re a farmer, you know the joys of working the land. You also know how stressful it can be—from family and financial pressures, to isolation and an exhausting job that has zero days off. In fact, agricultural workers experience suicide rates that are 50% higher than the national average, and that number is rising.
On the Cultivating Resilience podcast, farm care starts with self-care. Hear from other farmers about the struggles they face every day and how they are overcoming them. Get connected to #farmermentalhealth resources and a community where farmers and ranchers can support each other when you tune in.
Listen to Cultivating Resilience on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast streaming service. Share the show with someone you think it may help.
- Mending Our Fences Podcast
Delaware Cooperative Extension and the Extension Cohort for Cultivemos are pleased to announce Mending Our Fences, a new podcast on farm stress, where farmers and mental health professionals share stories, build community, and let listeners know that they are not alone. During the episodes host Lisa O’Hara, from Bodhi Counseling in Maryland talks with guests about daily farm stressors, and how these can be navigated. This podcast is by and for extension professionals to help better understand how to approach these conversations, and what to listen for, to best support farmers they are working with.
Listen to Mending Our Fences on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Meet the Cultivemos Advisory Board!
I have worked in agriculture most of my working life, and love the lifestyle provided by working the land. I operate my own specialty garlic farm, Three Sisters plot, for seed, food, wholesale markets, and have sort-of-permaculture-ish homestead projects while also working part-time for a larger vegetable operation nearby. I’m most interested in the health and wellness practices that allow for longer-term farming, as I’ve been in it long enough to see the issues that crop up for most people, time and time again. I think sustainability in agriculture must include the humans operating in the systems we design
bio coming soon
Ulum Pixan Athohil Suk’il (Bird Spirit), AKA Dania Alejandra Flores-Heagney (colonized name), is an Indigenous mixed woman (Maya, Xinca, Garifuna, Russian Jew, and Ladino) mother and grandmother, born in Guatemala, Mesoamerica who moved to the US in 1999. She organized in her country of origin around aboriginal and women’s rights, language issues, and the environment. She continues her work here in the US as a volunteer, staff, and consultant. She is the Farming Director/Education Coordinator and member-owner at the Tuck Away Farm Cooperative at Global Village Farms and is an Access Co-op member-owner (a language justice cooperative). She is a co-founder of the Indigenous Peoples Network (RI/MA), a collaboration with local Indigenous peoples and people all over the Northeast who recognize our ancestral struggles and are committed to forming unity by sharing resources and technologies that have been passed down as ancestral knowledge. She is also the Project Coordinator at the Pocasset Pokenocket Land Trust; a Board member of both the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group and the Stone Soup artist and activist collective; a Funder member of the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust; Education Director at the Massachusetts Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farmers Association; and a Board member at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
My interest in farming took off in college when I interned at an urban farm and community center in Camden, NJ. I got my first farm job in 2013 on a 70-acre organic vegetable farm in Fairfax, VT, where my partner and I launched a part-time incubator business for 5 seasons. In 2019, we landed on a 35-acre farm in Norwich, VT where we grow annual and perennial flowers, organic veggie and herb starts, and 15 acres of organic veggies. Ever since that internship at the urban farm, I’ve been drawn to the link between growing food and healing our minds/hearts/communities. While we started our part-time veggie operation, I pursued my masters in social work and spent 5 years working in community mental health. My dream is to start a farm and nature-based therapeutic center focused on stress reduction, coping skills, and holistic approaches to our health.
bio coming soon
I live and grow food in Kennebec County, Maine in the traditional homelands of the Wabanaki people. I am a Mi’kmaq woman, mother, auntie, and educator. I am passionate about preserving traditional ecological knowledge and restoring access to planting fields, foraging grounds, and fisheries. I currently organize with the Eastern Woodlands Rematriation Collective and lease an acre of farmland to produce food for my family and community. As an Indigenous food producer on leased land, I am attuned to the stresses and fears of the landless. I see the effects of an unending opioid epidemic and people choosing to ration their insulin because of cost…I also see an opportunity to create solutions together with FRSAN.
Upcoming Events
WINTER 2022
NEWSLETTER
Northeast Dairy Farmers Being Forced Out By Danone/Horizon
Organics
This past August, Horizon Organic informed 89 dairy farms in New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire that they were terminating their contracts.
SPRING 2023
NEWSLETTERS
Our name, Cultivemos, "let's grow together" in Spanish, is a community call to Northeast farmers and farm workers to join together and uplift one another.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we know that as a farmer or farm worker you face many challenges cultivating a healthy farm and a healthy mind.
FEBRUARY 2022
NEWSLETTERS
Northeast Dairy Farmers Being Forced Out By Danone/Horizon
Organics
This past August, Horizon Organic informed 89 dairy farms in New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire that they were terminating their contracts.
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