POLK COUNTY – St. Croix Valley Food Alliance, a special project of Wisconsin Farmers Union, is the proud recipient of the Northwest Alliance Community Foundation and The St. Croix Valley Foundation Vibrant Communities Mental Health Grant Program. The “Wellbeing & Waterways: Supporting Farmer Health” programming will reduce barriers to accessing mental health support, destigmatize mental health issues, and expand farmer connection. By building skills to manage stress and anxiety associated with farming, communities can mitigate the adverse impacts seen in rural areas. The goal is to cultivate preventative habits and stress management techniques to address the unique pressures placed on rural farmers, while strengthening connections and community. The St. Croix Valley Food Alliance (SCVFA) is partnering with Mental Health Task Force of Polk County to deliver Mental Health First Aid training where participants will navigate local resources to address barriers of accessibility to mental health support, including financial hurdles and local tools. Programming is curated with farmer-specific mental health content and supports current and future farmers in the St. Croix River Valley. The Wellbeing & Waterways Project will host off-site retreats to foster deeper connections, skill development, and focused collaboration.
Rachael Drumsta, SCVFA Board Member and business owner of Sisu Nordic Sauna, has been a longtime mental health advocate in the area. Rachael notes that “caring for farmers means caring for our land, food, and shared future. This grant helps address unmet needs, supporting those who sustain a thriving local food economy. With farmer depression and suicide rates exceeding national averages, this is a small but vital step in valuing both their work and well-being.”
The SCVFA serves the greater St. Croix River Valley through Community Supported Agriculture shares, farmers markets with access to EBT/SNAP, partnership with POP (Power of Produce) programs for families, collective marketing and advocacy for local farmers as informed by a 2024 feasibility study of wholesale readiness. The SCVFA focuses on community organizing around food access and farm-to-institute partnership. With community events like the annual community harvest gathering and donations to service agencies and food pantries, SCVFA works to support their neighbors physically, socially and economically. They look forward to serving the community in this new way with the help of this grant.
St. Croix Valley Food Alliance, a grassroots initiative, works to strengthen and promote a thriving, resilient, and equitable local food economy in the St. Croix River Valley.
Wisconsin Farmers Union, a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement.
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