Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings issued for Twin Cities metro area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

It’s been a tough year for Minnesota farmers. With the drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve faced a lot of instability and stress. 

Earlier this year, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture put an ad on Facebook for mental health help for farmers. It got almost 2,500 clicks in only 18 days. 

That’s where the MDA’s new “Bend, Don’t Break” initiative comes in. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the MDA and 11 project partners $500,000 to support and develop programs addressing farm stress and rural mental health. 

The Latino Economic Development Center is a partner in the initiative. LEDC helps Latino farmers across Minnesota with technical assistance, business development and capital. 

Rodrigo Cala works for LEDC as an agricultural trainer, and he also owns a farm. He spoke with host Cathy Wurzer about his story, how he and his fellow Latino farmers have been faring recently, the unique challenges they face and the message of self-care Rodrigo is trying to share in his community.

LEDC plans to use its portion of the “Bend, Don’t Break” dollars to host a retreat for Latino farmers, where they will help lead conversations on stress and mental health. 

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on 

Business and Economic News

Agriculture

Health

Mental Health

Shows

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Host

Author

With the drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been a tough year for Minnesota farmers. Rodrigo Cala of the Latino Economic Development Center, a partner in a new Minnesota Department of Agriculture mental health initiative, spoke to Cathy Wurzer about stress among Latino farmers.

How are Minnesota's Latino farmers dealing with stress?

Go Deeper.

Like this?