Communicating With Farmers Under Stress
This workshop provides an overview of the stressors experienced by farmers and their families and shares best practices for connecting them with local, state, and national resources. Developed by Michigan State University Extension, Communicating with Farmers Under Stress is designed for agriculture industry professionals, veterinarians, loan officers, family members, and others who interact directly with farmers on a regular basis. The current financial situation for farmers and other potential causes of stress will be reviewed. Participants will learn how detrimental unproductive stress can be on the body and mind, to recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety and warning signs of suicide in the farming community, and to connect people to available resources.
The Penn State Extension Farm Stress team is comprised of educators from multiple disciplines who understand and support the farming community. Besides this workshop, our team offers Weathering the Storm in Agriculture: How to Cultivate a Productive Mindset, helping farmers and their families understand the effects of stress and how to manage it effectively. Additionally, the team offers, Mental Health First Aid for Adults, created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, about how to approach and assist someone with a mental health challenge.
In this workshop, you will learn to:
- Build awareness of the stressors affecting farmers and their families
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety and warning signs of suicide
- Assess, approach, and assist farmers who are showing changes in their mental health
- Access local, state, and national resources
Who should attend:
- Agriculture industry professionals
- Loan officers
- Family members of farmers
- Concerned citizens
For more information on scheduling training for your organization, contact the farm stress team below.
Abbie Spackman – aes5450@psu.edu
Adriana Murillo-Williams – azm1119@psu.edu
Amber Hughes - aph5853@psu.edu
Ashley Isaacson - ani5071@psu.edu
Chi Catalone - cjb7092@psu.edu
Cynthia Fisher – ckb139@psu.edu
Cynthia Pollich – cep5@psu.edu
Elise Gurgevich – eag107@psu.edu
Ginger Fenton – gdc3@psu.edu
Jill Varner – juv373@psu.edu
Linda Fetzer – lmf8@psu.edu
Maureen Ittig – mpi2@psu.edu
Sonya Nace - srr259@psu.edu
Ryan Spelman - rms6953@psu.edu
