ARH and KDA partner for farmer health

By Blake Jackson

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) have launched the Farmer Care Initiative, a program designed to improve health care access, outcomes, and wellness for farmers in Central and Eastern Kentucky. The partnership was officially announced on November 18 at Barbourville ARH Hospital, marking the first collaboration between KDA’s Raising Hope coalition and ARH. Raising Hope aims to enhance the quality of life for farmers and farm families across the state.

“I am proud to welcome the agricultural community to the ARH family through this new partnership with KDA and Raising Hope,” said Hollie Harris, ARH President and CEO. “By increasing rural access to high-quality care with preventive screenings, mental health services and health education, we are truly living our mission to improve health and promote the well-being of all people in partnership with our communities. We look forward to helping farmers and farm families progress on their health journeys across the Commonwealth.”

The Farmer Care Initiative will bring tailored health services directly to rural areas through mobile care events and programs that align with health observance months. In addition to medical care, the initiative will also address mental health needs with support from ARH physicians like Dr. Christopher Yost, who operates an internal medicine clinic in Lexington.

Jonathan Shell, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, praised the partnership, calling it a vital step in providing farmers with the health care and mental health resources they deserve. Shell highlighted the importance of supporting Kentucky’s agricultural communities, ensuring that farmers receive comprehensive care to help them thrive.

This initiative builds on the Food is Medicine campaign, a collaboration between KDA and the Kentucky Hospital Association. It aims to support the farmers who are essential to Kentucky’s agricultural economy while promoting overall wellness in rural communities.

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