C13 - You Are the Most Important Asset on Your Farm: Rural Georgia, Growing Stronger

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CT

Location: 232, Level 2, ACCC

Workshop Presenter(s)

Jennifer W. Dunn, LMFT (she/her/hers)

Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Georgia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Thomasville, Georgia
JS

Justin Shealey

County Extension Coordinator
College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia
Statenville, Georgia

A recent Georgia study found that although half of the farmers are happy with their occupation, they do experience a lot of stress from a variety of sources. The future well-being of farmers and their families can be improved by developing healthy coping mechanisms and stress reduction techniques. In Georgia we have implemented a program called the Farm Stress Production Meeting model. This presentation will share the FSPM model from the rural health agent; discuss QPR sessions held with Agri-business leaders; and a qualitative study conducted with farmer’s wives. In addition, we will share the research efforts currently underway.

Learning Objectives:

In this session you will learn about an innovative intervention to address farmer stress.
Identify the capacity of Cooperative Extension agents to support farmers and farm families during times of stress.
In this session you will learn about ways we are expanding the intervention to support farm families by infusing stress and stress management interventions into existing Extension programming.