PRAIRIE CITY — Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill creating a new suicide prevention hotline for agricultural workers into law in Prairie City on Thursday, July 20.

She was joined by Grant County Commissioner Jim Hamsher, Wallowa County Commissioner Todd Nash, Sen. Lynn Findley, R-Vale, Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, Rep. Mark Owens, R-Crane, and Rep. Bobby Levy, R-Echo, at the home of Hamsher’s son Trever for the signing.

The legislation provides $300,000 to fund the implementation of an AgriStress helpline in Oregon, administered through the Oregon State University Extension Service. Hamsher said the issue was close to his heart because of the long list of his family members, friends, neighbors and classmates who have lost their lives to suicide.

Hamsher said people in agriculture are raised to “be tough, handle everything on their own and shield their families from any troubles.”

Hamsher said he was happy with the new legislation because now “folks have someplace they can discuss this stuff before it reaches to that point, so lives can be saved.”

On a Facebook post, Hansell said he was the chief sponsor of Senate Bill 955.

“Statistically, farmers and ranchers have one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation,” Hansell wrote on his Facebook post. “Farmers are an independent, proud, stubborn, hard working group of individuals with a lot of pressure with which they deal, almost on a daily basis. It is my hope and prayer that SB955 will help save lives of those engaged in this wonderful and vital occupation.”