THE NEBRASKA RURAL RESPONSE HOTLINE 1-800-464-0258 Sponsored by the: Farm Crisis Response Council of Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 411 Lincoln, NE 68508 Telephone 1-402-476-3391 Currently, Nebraska is the only state in which churches are responding ecumenically to the farm crisis through a hotline. The Hotline is supported in part by gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission (OCWM). In the early 1980s, financial pressure and related legal and emotional stress reached a crisis stage for many Nebraska farm families. As land values plummeted, debt piled up, and foreclosures reached a record high, Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska (IMN) took action. In March 1984, IMN began forming a coalition, not only of its member church denominations, but also of agencies and organizations with a direct interest in confronting rural hardship. Representatives of the coalition realized from the beginning that the underlying problems leading to the crisis would not be solved overnight, nor would the groups be able to provide funds to troubled farmers. But they knew they could garner the human and financial resources to help provide sound financial and legal counsel when requested, and to respond to families' needs for emotional and spiritual support. The plan grew quickly because of the crisis nature of the problems and the coalition's commitment to service. Church denominational representatives, and representatives from the Farmers Union, National Farmers' Organization, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Legal Services, Women in Farm Economics, the UN-L Ag Extension Division, and lenders worked closely to build the response network and make it available to anyone in Nebraska agriculture. HOW IT WORKS 1.   Hotline Response The Nebraska Farm Hotline (1-800-464-0258) is one of the primary services provided by the Farm and Rural Response Network and Interchurch Ministries of Nebraska.  When a farmer, rancher, or rural resident calls the Hotline, an experienced staff person will answer. Hotline staff will: Respond directly to caller Spend time finding out issues and needs Provide helpful information Refer to others: financial counselors attorneys clergy other farmers mediation In addition, through the Counseling, Outreach, and Mental Health Therapy Program (COMHT) Mental Health staff assist callers in dealing with stress, depression, and other mental health issues that often cloud the caller's decision-making abilities. No-cost vouchers and information on confidential mental health issues for persons affected by the rural crisis are available. Funding for the COMHT Program is provided in part through the Nebraska Departments of Health & Human Services, Office of Rural Health, and Community Service Block Grant. 2.  Resources Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-876-6238 Emergency Food Pantry Assistance, 1-800-464-0258 Farm & Legal Assistance Clinics 1-800-464-0258 Kids Connection 1-877-632-5437 Nebraska Farm Mediation Service 1-800-446-4071 Nebraska Health Ministry Network 1-308-345-5605 Nebraska Legal Services 1-877-250-2016 3. Farm Programs Ag Credit 1-402-437-5455 Farm Service Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture State Office 1-402-437-5581 Nebraska AgrAbility Project 1-800-471-6425 4. Financial Information Donald S. Kalcik, CPA 1-402-435-2477 University of Nebraska Farm Financial Information 1-800-535-3456 FARM CRISIS RESPONSE COUNCIL PARTICIPANTS: American Baptist Churches of Nebraska Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, Nebraska Synod Homestead Presbytery Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island United Church of Christ, Nebraska Conference United Methodist Church, Nebraska Conference Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest Grange National Farmers Organization Nebraska Farm Bureau Nebraska Farmers Union Nebraska Legal Services Women in Farm Economics LINKS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS: The Center for Theology and Land: A Rural Ministry Program "Evangelism, Discipleship & Leadership Practices for Rural Congregations", a new online continuing education course offered by the Center for Theology and Land begins April 23 and is being presented in four modules (one per week). To register, click above to go directly to their website, then click on "Online Rural Ministry Continuing Education Course". Registration forms must be returned by April 13 to ensure arrival of materials. The course fee is $50. The Center's email address is ruralmin@wartburgseminary.edu. Center for Rural Affairs Food Resource Bank