Last week, MFU celebrated the official retirement of Minnesota’s long-serving Agricultural Mental Health Specialist, Ted Matthews, at the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators (MAAE) summer conference at the Grand Casino Hinckley. After more than 30 years helping support farmers through some of their most difficult moments, Ted announced his retirement in mid-May. On July 8, current and former Farm Business Management instructors, ag educators, legislative leaders, and others celebrated his official send-off with heartfelt stories from his many years of service to farmers.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen read a proclamation from Gov. Walz naming July 8, 2025 “Ted Matthews Day.”

“Ted Matthews served Minnesota’s farm families with deep empathy and respect, recognizing the immense value of their work and the unique challenges they face,” read the proclamation. “Ted’s work has earned national recognition with legislators and leaders from across the country seeking to replicate Minnesota’s success by asking how they can ‘get a Ted’ for their own communities.”

At the celebration, Cheryal Hills from Region 5 Development Commission introduced the two newly hired mental health experts who will help replace Ted in helping provide cost-free, confidential counseling to people involved in agriculture across the state. Tracie Rutherford Self and Jennifer Vaughn both come with a rich experience working in rural communities.

Continued funding for their positions was renewed in the latest agriculture budget with the support of MFU and other agriculture organizations. If you or somebody you know is struggling with mental health, help is available. Call the Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline at 833-600-2670 or visit minnesotafarmstress.com for resources and support 24/7.

Also at the MAAE summer conference, frequent collaborator with MFU and educator at West Central Area High School, Eric Sawatzke, was elected President at the MAAE meeting. In partnership with MFU, Eric helped secure legislative funding to establish meat cutting courses in high schools across the state.

Also on farm stress, National Farmers Union (NFU) was quick to endorse bipartisan legislation to renew funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) which helps fund stress and mental health work on the federal level.

“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said NFU President Rob Larew in a release following introduction. “The Farmers First Act will help connect our farmers and ranchers with essential resources to address farm stress and improve well-being.”

The legislation was led by Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Reps. Angie Craig, DFL-Minn., and Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa.

“Feeding and fueling the world is hard work that comes with unique challenges for farmers and producers,” said Rep. Craig upon introduction. “Yet, too often, rural communities are overlooked when it comes to providing mental health resources and tools. That’s why I’m working across the aisle to connect farmers, farm workers and rural Minnesotans with the mental health resources and stress management tools they need to succeed.”

Farmers Union member testifies before U.S. House Committee

Also on the federal level, Montana Farmers Union member John Wicks is testifying for National Farmers Union before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit. In his written testimony, Wicks testifies to the importance of USDA Farm Service Agency loan programs, particularly for young farmers and those seeking to diversify their farming operations. He thanked Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad, R-1st District, and Craig, D-2nd District, for sponsoring the Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement (PACE) Act, which would update FSA loan limits and do more to help distressed borrowers.

He closed with highlighting the impact of federal funding freezes and staff reductions at USDA.

“Data show that most of that nearly 13,000 of the approximately 15,000 USDA employees who accepted buyouts from the Trump administration worked outside of the national capital region,” Wicks wrote. “More than 1,100 FSA and county committee employees took buyouts. We worry about how these reductions in force will affect our community and my ability to farm successfully. We also worry that the move to make cuts or prompt early retirements are not over.”

You can read his full written testimony here and watch the hearing here.

Interested in hosting a legislator at your farm?

On the state level, MFU is ramping up efforts to help legislators visit farms across the state. During session, traveling to St. Paul is impactful. But through the summer and fall, it means a great deal if lawmakers and others can see farm practices, challenges, and opportunities firsthand. If you’re open to hosting legislators on your farm and you’d like to work through MFU’s state office, please consider letting us know by filling out this short (7 questions!) google form. Or just contact Stu or another member of the MFU team.

Thank you to those who’ve already agreed to host! As always, this is just a snapshot of policy work. If you have questions, thoughts, or concerns, please contact Stu at stu@mfu.org or (320) 232-3047 (C).