Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance

A program of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the North Dakota Mediation Service (formerly the North Dakota Agricultural Mediation Service), was established in 1984 to help financially distressed farmers and ranchers through assistance with credit and financial matters and resolving disputes.

Mediation

A neutral mediator guides the parties who are involved in a dispute through examination and discussion of the issues and helps the parties identify possible solutions.

• Voluntary
• Confidential process
• Avoids litigation
• Communicate your needs
• Resolve issues
• Saves time and money

Credit Counseling

A credit counselor works with the farmer or rancher to analyze profitability of the operation and develop options for improvement or growth.

• Assistance with an agricultural credit issue
• Additional information to present at mediation if sought

Contact
Madison Bodine
Ag Services & Development Specialist
Phone: 701-328-4158 or 844-642-4752
Email: ndms@nd.gov

Go to the NDMS webpage for more information.

The North Dakota Farm Management Education Program is designed to provide education to farm owners and operators or persons interested in farming.

• Business and family goal setting
• Improving recording keeping systems
• Increasing financial management skills
• Understanding financial strengths and weaknesses
• Improving efficiency and organization
• Developing insight into the effects of current and long-term decisions
• Creating benchmarks through comparison of similar operations in the region and state using profitability ratios, balance sheets, and enterprise analysis

Go to the North Dakota Farm Management Education website for more information.

988 is a number to call if you have any worries or concerns about your mental health and you’re worried that you’re in a state of crisis:

• Your function has deteriorated
• You don’t know what you’re going to do next
• Your mood and behavior are getting in the way of your ability to function
• You have any thoughts or concerns about hurting yourself
• You’re experiencing thoughts of suicide

Even friends and family members should call if they want to talk to a counselor about their concerns for a loved one and to learn about what resources are available.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 988

Crisis line services and counseling support call 211 or 701-235-7335

Go to the FirstLink website for more information.

The goal of Together Counseling is to provide evidenced-based treatments that are effective, personalized, and rooted in the latest psychological research.

Whether you’re seeking support for emotional well-being, relationship challenges, trauma, or personal growth, our team is here to help you navigate the path toward healing and lasting change—together.

• Mental health and substance abuse counseling
• Telehealth and in-person counseling options

Call 701-404-0997

Go to the Together Counseling website for more information.

Farming and ranching are stressful - adverse weather, disease, regulations, volatile commodity prices, family dynamics, and financial worries can be constant. These resources can help you manage that stress.

• Managing Stress
• Farm Management Resources
• Food and Nutrition Resources
• Succession Planning for Farm and Ranch Families

Contact
Sean Brotherson
Professor & Extension Family Science Specialist
Phone: 701-231-6143
Email: sean.brotherson@ndsu.edu

Go to NDSU Extension website for more information.