ARGYLE — The Argyle Public Library and Lafayette County Mental Health Matters are sponsoring a “Life in Lafayette” series talk by Chris Frakes. The talk will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at Central 52, 300 E. Milwaukee St., Argyle. 

The title of Frakes’ talk is titled “Farmer Resiliency Project: Working to Eliminate Farmer Suicides.” 

The U.S. farmer suicide rate is two and a half times that of the general population. There is a correlation between rising farmer suicide rates and economic stressors in the agricultural sector. The past few years have been especially difficult for farmers economically. Wisconsin has led the nation in farm bankruptcies for the past three years. Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, in collaboration with community partners, is in the process of putting together educational and direct services for members of the agricultural community, and those who care about farmer wellbeing. 

Chris Frakes is the project director for SWCAP’s Farmer Suicide Prevention Project. Her concern about the plight of family farms began in her home state of Iowa during the farm crisis of the 1980s. She earned a Masters of Divinity in 1994, aware of both the stigma associated with seeking mental health services and the scarcity of resources in smaller communities. Frakes went on to complete a PhD in 2004, focusing her work in ethics and environmentally sustainable farming and food production.