Small Town News

Help for struggling farmers

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Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network ready to help struggling farmers, MFAN analysts on hand to address financial challenges

Minnesota farm families have a new statewide resource network to help them address difficult financial challenges. The Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network (MFAN) provides financial guidance, technical assistance and mentoring to farm families facing economic hardship.

By calling the toll-free MFAN helpline, (877) 898-MFAN, farmers will be connected to appropriate resources such as farm business management instructors, extension educators and other expert financial analysts. MFAN will also help farmers find legal guidance, tax advice and 24-hour crisis counseling.

"MEAN is a streamlined network designed to get farm families on the road to recovery," says Minnesota agriculture commissioner Gene Hugoson. "MFAN analysts will assess each situation and match these producers with the right person or program that can help them."

MFAN was established to address a downturn in the farm economy because of low prices and declining demand for some commodities. The new resource network is administered by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Rural Finance Authority (RFA).

Farmers seeking assistance can call (877) 898-MFAN (6326), or in the Twin Cities metro area call (651) 201-MFAN (6326).

For more information, visit the MFAN Web site at <www.mda.state.mn.us/mfan>.



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© 2010 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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