Farmers, farm workers, and their families face unique challenges and stresses. Left untreated, these stresses may lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or suicide. That’s why Human Sciences Extension and Outreach will be launching a farm and ranch wellness public awareness campaign in April. The $20,000 effort is funded by a grant the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship received from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture “Farm and Ranch Wellness” project, according to David Brown, behavioral health extension state specialist.
The primary goal of the campaign is to reach farmers and farm workers who are experiencing stress, educate them on signs they may need to address, and direct them to a farm resource packet and other materials. The secondary goal is to reach their families and advocates to educate them about signs of stress to watch for and direct them to the resources as well.
Advancement has been working with David and Demi Johnson, behavioral health program specialist, to develop video, social media, and radio ads for the campaign that will direct folks to a farm stress resource landing page on the Human Sciences Extension and Outreach website. The campaign will highlight farm stress assistance resources that are available in English and Spanish, including Stress on the Farm (English) and Stress on the Farm (Spanish) for farmers and families and Farm Stress and Mental Health for advocates. Watch for the campaign beginning in April and continuing through summer.
Celebrate National Ag Day
March 21 is National Agriculture Day and begins a weeklong celebration of “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” The celebration is a project of the Agriculture Council of America, an organization composed of leaders in the agriculture, food, and fiber communities dedicated to increasing public awareness of agriculture’s vital role in society.
Our Agriculture and Natural Resources program supports the ag industry all year long. The past year saw special programming tailored toward ag lenders and their relationship with farmers, crop farmers facing pests like corn rootworm, livestock producers facing foreign animal diseases, and programs designed to improve food access, natural resource stewardship, and conservation. See the news release for examples of ANR success stories.
More notes
- As of today, we’ve received signed Memorandums of Understanding and Addendums from 55 county extension councils. We remind the remaining councils to approve, sign, and return their MOUs and Addendums by April 30. Thank you!
- Goodbye … and welcome, February 2023: Please review this list of individuals who left ISU Extension and Outreach in the past month, as well as those who have joined our organization.
- Registration closes on March 24 for Jason Henderson's Hellos and Handshakes sessions. More information (exact locations and other details) will be available by early April.
John D. Lawrence
Vice President for Extension and Outreach