FarmHope

What is FarmHope?

Farm and ranch estate planning trainings and free, accessible mental health services are available to Texas agricultural producers, workers, and their families through FarmHope, a collaborative effort between the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Health Telehealth Institute.

Farming and ranching are stressful occupations and living rurally poses challenges to accessing mental health resources. FarmHope was created by Miquela Smith, AgriLife Extension health program specialist in the Disaster Assessment and Recovery unit, Lubbock, and Tiffany Lashmet, J.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist and professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Canyon, and Carly McCord, Ph.D., Texas A&M Telehealth Institute founding executive director, Bryan-College Station, after recognizing the need to better support the wellbeing of agricultural workers in Texas.

FarmHope merges farm and ranch estate planning education, mental health education, and free, high-quality telehealth counseling delivered by licensed clinicians. Services are no-cost and available to any ag producer, ag worker, or family member living in Texas – no insurance or referrals required. Services are private, easy to access, and delivered by clinicians who understand the realities of agricultural stress. Counseling services are delivered through your personal device in the privacy of your own home. Loaner tablets are also available at no cost if needed.

Serving Your Needs

Mikaela Spooner, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist at the Texas A&M Health Telehealth Institute. Her personal and professional interests focus on the intersection of rural communities and mental health. She has an agricultural background and is trained in ag mental health. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and her master’s and doctorate degrees from Texas A&M University. Spooner lived in rural areas, grew up around 4-H and FFA, and has owned and trained horses throughout her life, so she’s a therapist who “gets it.” Her background and passion for farm and ag mental health allow her to connect in an authentic way, so clients feel truly seen, heard, and understood.

“I am passionate about working with rural mental health and supporting agriculture producers and their families. I bring both professional training and a genuine understanding of the unique pressures faced by those in agriculture. I understand the barriers to accessing care and hope to eliminate as many of those barriers as possible. I enjoy focusing on the strengths and values of agriculture workers, like grit and determination.

You are resilient, and yet life can still become heavy at times. I want to support you to ease some of the heaviness and work alongside you as you take steps toward your goals.”

~ Mikaela Spooner

FarmHope Video

This FarmHope video features Grant Heinrich with an open discussion about the mental health struggles experienced those working in agriculture.