Farmers Supporting Farmers - AIM Independent Living Center

AIM Independent Living Center’s Farmers Supporting Farmers Program provides peer-driven mental wellness and business support for farmers, agribusiness workers, and their families.

Farmers Supporting Farmers serves all of New York State, with a focus on the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.

Services include mental wellness support, delivered by peer support advocates, for individuals and their family members, as well as technical assistance focused on financial wellness, business operation and planning, and decision making.

Program staff can also connect individuals with behavioral healthcare, community resources, and social services as needed.

All services are free and confidential. Our team has broad experience in agriculture and mental wellness.

Farmers Supporting Farmers is funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH).

The program was developed in response to the well-documented link between economic crises and the resulting stress that puts farm workers and their families at an increased risk for poor behavioral health outcomes.

For more information, call the Farmers Supporting Farmers Helpline at (888) 328-7847.

AIM does not provide crisis response services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, please call or text 988 for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Meet Our Team

Katie Basu, LCSW-R
Senior Director, Farmers Supporting Farmers

Originally from New York’s Southern Tier, Katie brings over 20 years of experience in mental health and a lifelong appreciation for the land and community. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has led large-scale programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs and been recognized nationally for her work expanding access to care and reducing suicide risk among rural residents. Rooted in a love for nature and helping others, Katie enjoys exploring trails and national parks with her family.

Michelle Beiling
Director of Business Development, Farmers Supporting Farmers

Michelle cares deeply about people, community, and keeping local farms and small businesses strong. She has spent years connecting organizations, nonprofits, small businesses, and community leaders to the resources and relationships they need to grow and succeed. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her learning something new, from beekeeping to canning, or trying her hand at growing something new. She’s not just interested in the idea of agriculture and self-reliance; she’s actively living it. She brings that same grounded, community-focused perspective to her role helping farmers feel supported, connected, and equipped with the resources they need to keep moving forward.

Claire Byrne
Agricultural Support Mentor, Farmers Supporting Farmers

Raised on a small farm in downstate New York, Claire has dedicated her life to agriculture and community growth. A longtime 4-H leader and founder of a global seed library, she also managed community gardens serving local food pantries. Now building her own homestead, Claire brings her passion for resilience and connection to her role as an Agricultural Support Mentor, helping New York farmers access the guidance, care, and resources they need to thrive.

Isaac Dahl
Agricultural Support Mentor, Farmers Supporting Farmers

Isaac was born and raised in a small farm town in northwest Ohio, where long summers driving tractor and baling hay taught him the value of hard work and deep respect for the farmers who sustain us. Motivated by community service, his professional experience includes banking, agriculture, and project coordination. Isaac served for five years internationally on an experimental community farm in Colombia and as a project coordinator in northern Mexico. Since returning to the U.S., he is focused on revitalizing the family farm in the Finger Lakes region, expanding his knowledge of food sovereignty, native habitats, and agroforestry. Outside of work, you can find him making improvements around the farm or in his workshop creating leather goods. With lived experience in farming communities and a background in empowering underserved populations, he brings strong relational skills and a deep belief in community resilience to the Agricultural Support Mentor role.

The staff in AIM’s Farmers Supporting Farmers program have completed FarmResponse, an on-demand 3.5-hour continuing education course developed by national experts from the AgriStress Response Network. The course provides the full range of competencies necessary to provide appropriate mental healthcare for agricultural producers and their families.