A coalition of 36 farm groups led by the National Farmers Union wants the new farm bill to address the growing rate of farm suicides. NFU Government Relations Representative Matt Perdue says farmers and ranchers commit suicide at a rate that’s five times greater than the general population.

He says the farm stress network the coalition wants funded in the next farm bill would involve providing grants to the state’s extension services and non profit organizations.

Perdue says the estimated cost for the farm bill for these services would be about $20 million a year over five years.

Perdue says their coalition has written to Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership outlining their request.