Sustaining the Farmer to Sustain the Farm: Stress Management Education for Farmer Resilience and Wellbeing

For each section below, we maintain what we said we would accomplish (Part A), followed by what we've done to date (Part B). 

Target audience participating in the creation of the training materials for project: Our project team (PI, CO-PIs, doctoral student graduate assistant) will work with

1. Farmer-adjacent partners who are providing information and support to farmers. This will include:

• • UGA Local Extension Offices (at least one from each of the 4 regions in Georgia)
  • AgrAbility
  • AgrileadHer
  • Georgia Organics
  • Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
  • Farm Service Agency
  • Agricultural education at UGA
  • The Dairy Alliance
  • Other commodity groups
  • Fort Valley State University Extension

1. What we said we would accomplish: For each of our partners, we will provide detailed information regarding the project, targeting the relevant leader, such as education coordinators of each organization.

We will also interview organization members most directly familiar with  farmers for their thoughts and input regarding 1) the major stressors farmers face; 2) the coping strategies they have seen farmers use to manage stress; 3) what information about farmer stress and stress management they think is important for farmers; 4) what they see as the most effective way to get this information to farmers (e.g. reading materials, presentations, website, podcast, video); 5) ways they can infuse this information into their existing platforms—trainings, conferences, websites, other events, locations; 6) assistance in connecting with farmers who are their constituents, particularly beginning and underrepresented farmers, so we can gather direct farmer input as well. We will do this via individual interviews and/or Qualtrics surveys.

    B.  What we've done to date: 

A total of 9 farmer-adjacent people were interviewed. All interviews were completed by same researcher on zoom, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Characteristics are summarized below (note that each farmer-adjacent person was counted in all relevant, and thus multiple, categories)

      2. Farmers

1. What we said we would accomplish: We will connect with farmers through our own relationships as well as the connections developed via our partners as listed in A. We will ensure that we include individuals from these representative groups:

• • Demographics: Women, Black and other minority farmers, farmers with a disability
  • Experience:  Beginning farmers and seasoned farmers
  • Geography:  Across Georgia
  • Farming type:  Farmers who identify as organic, sustainable, or moving towards more sustainable practice
  • Commodity: Row crop, specialty crop, and livestock

Using interview or focus group we will ask these farmers: 1) the major stressors they face and any that are unique because of membership in an underrepresented group, location, or type of farming; 2) the coping strategies they have used to manage stress; 3) what information about stress and stress management they would like to have; 4) how they would like to receive this information (e.g. reading materials, presentations, website, podcast, video) so that it has maximal impact for adoption; 5) best strategies for reaching farmers with training and resource information

    B.  What we've done to date: 

A total of 11 Farmers were interviewed. Characteristics summarized below (note that each farmer was counted in all relevant, and thus multiple, categories. All interviews were completed by same researcher on zoom, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Characteristics are summarized below:

“Take home” learnings from interviews with farmers and farmer-adjacent participants:  

• • Brief is better when it comes to messages, both training and especially written materials
  • Practical information helps, using no jargon
  • Share information at places farmers already go
  • Networks, social support, mentors, can help
  • Stressors identified are what is in the literature already—no surprises

As a result of the interviews we modified our plan to decrease the length of trainings, so only developing 30 to 45-minute and 15-minute trainings. We also focused primarily on trainings integrated into other events and settings rather than freestanding trainings, and expanded our target audience to include more farmer-adjacent groups (e.g. ag lenders).

Develop training materials grounded in research as well as the input from partners and most importantly the input from farmers themselves.

1. What we said we would accomplish:

Materials will also be informed by state-of-the-art agricultural communication research. Training and resources will include culturally and diversity-responsive content that will be included in all materials, as well specific in-depth content to augment standard training when the target audience consists of members of underrepresented groups. Training material formats will include (all will also be available online at the UGA Extension website.)

1) Slides and narrative for live presentations (at Conferences and Extension Programming) containing all curriculum content as outlined in Approaches and Methods/Curriculum Topics and in the discussion in #2 above. A 2-hour, 60-minute, 30-minute, and 15-minute version of the presentation will be developed for infusion into events and programming. All will combine information with skill building strategies and activities.

2) Slides and narrative for virtual presentations (for Extension and other programming where there is an instructor) containing all curriculum content as outlined in Approaches and Methods/Curriculum Topics and in the discussion in #2 above. A 2-hour, 60-minute, and 30-minute version of the presentation will be developed. with recorded video of lecture and an instructional guide for instructors with discussion questions and skill-building activities.

3) Slides and narrative for live classroom presentations (in agricultural classes at UGA and Sustainability Certificate classes) containing all curriculum content as outlined in Approaches and Methods/Curriculum Topics and in the discussion in #2 above. A 2-hour, 60-minute, and 30-minute version of the presentation will be developed. All will combine information with skill building strategies and activities.

4) Slides and narrative for virtual classroom presentations (in agricultural classes at UGA and Sustainability Certificate classes), containing all curriculum content as outlined in Approaches and Methods/Curriculum Topics and in the discussion in #2 above. A 2-hour, 60-minute, and 30-minute version of the presentation will be developed. with recorded video of lecture and an instructional guide for classroom instructors with discussion questions and skill-building activities.

5) Train the trainer slides and presentation for classroom and program instructors interested in facilitating the virtual presentation and leading discussion and skill building activities.

6) Written materials with information on farmer stress and stress management. Brochures and flyers to be distributed at trainings and to be distributed at farmer-specific locations. Materials will include information on farmer stress and stress management, with information and links/QR codes to additional resources. Materials will by necessity be briefer than full curriculum information, and will include general information as well as information tailored for beginner farmers, seasoned farmers, and farmers from underrepresented groups.

7) Other informational communications (e.g. podcasts, blogs, PSAs) as identified by partners and farmers as per #1 in this section)

    B.  What we've done to date: 

To date we have developed the following trainings, with additional training development in progress.

In addition, the following materials have been developed or reviewed/revised based on feedback from interviews (see Appendices 9-12). Another is in progress, based on image and message testing at a regional agricultural conference.

Target audience for training and outreach components.

1. What we said we would accomplish:

The training and resources on farmer stress and stress management that we develop will be provided broadly across the lifespan of a farmer’s career, and at varying levels of depth (from an intensive 2-hour workshop to distribution of informational flyers). This will create a reiterating and reinforcing network of information and resources on farmer stress in the Georgia agricultural environment that will both educate farmers about stress management and normalize the concept and conversations about stress in farming. Our targets will include the following:

For Training: Beginning Farmers

1. 1. Extension Journeyman Farmer Certificate: Each year several counties offer this training to beginning farmers. The Assistant Dean for Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources has committed to having the content we develop infused into this certificate program, either through live or video presentations;
   2. Conference Tracks and Sessions: Many agricultural associations have workshops or tracks in their conferences that focus on beginning farmers. We will infuse short presentations on farmer stress and stress management into these workshops, through either lie or video presentations;

For Training: Underrepresented Farmers

1. 1. Georgia Organics Conference: At their annual conference Georgia Organics offers a track specifically for Black farmers. We will provide a presentation in this track on farmer stress and stress management, with a particular focus on the unique challenges and stressors experienced by Black farmers;
   2. AgrileadHer: Each year the AgrileadHer program offers a day-long conference, grounded in Georgia but open to women farmers across the South. The conference is followed by virtual solidarity/interest/support groups on specific topics. At the conference we will provide a presentation on farmer stress and stress management, with a particular focus on the unique challenges and stressors faced by women farmers. We will as well provide follow-up training to any of the solidarity/interest/support groups that are interested in additional information;
   3. AgrAbility UGA: The AgrAbility Program offers a variety of workshops for farmers who live with a disability and need additional education or assistive technology training for success. We will infuse farmer stress and stress management content into these workshops, with a particular focus on the unique stressors experienced by farmers living with a disability;
   4. Other Conferences: Other state or regional agricultural conferences have tracks or workshops specific to beginning farmers or farmers from underrepresented groups. With our partners we will identify these events, and then reach out to the sponsors to offer to provide training—either free-standing or infused into another relevant workshop.

For Training:  Farmers Across the Lifespan

1. 1. Extension Programming: UGA Extension provides a wide range of programming for farmers, from equipment safety to water use to commodity-specific production meetings. We have already had some success infusing farmer stress and stress management content into production meetings. We will continue this, and will meet with the Extension Assistant Dean for Agricultural and Natural Resources to identify other trainings where this content can be infused. This content infusion can happen in person or by video presentation. Here, to ensure broadest possible reach, it will be important to have local agents agree to be trained to facilitate discussion following a video presentation;
   2. Conferences: Many of our partners offer annual conferences, and have invited use to provide training on farmer stress and stress management as workshops at these events. We will also work with our partners to identify additional agricultural conferences where we can provide this training or infuse this content into existing trainings.

For Training: Train the Trainers

1. 1. Partner Organizations: Any partner organizations that would like to use the video training on farmer stress and stress management that we develop and learn how to facilitate a discussion following the video can attend a zoom presentation where we will review the video and provide a discussion guide for facilitating conversations.  We will record this training so that it can be available to others interested in being a trainer.

For Training: Students

1. 1. Agricultural students at UGA: The Principal Investigator will meet with the Associated Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (note that a search is underway for this position at the moment) to identify pivotal courses for students whose goal is to go into agriculture. The project team will reach out to the instructors for these courses, and ask to infuse farmer stress and stress management content into their class—either in person or using an online video module. The Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences has already invited the PI to engage with their students on this topic;
   2. Young Farmers and Ranchers Club at UGA: The Associate Dean for Cooperative Extension is the faculty advisor for this club. She has been instrumental in moving Extension to a greater focus on behavioral health, stress, and wellbeing for farmers. She will infuse content into the club activities, and have one of the project team provide training at a club meeting each academic year;
   3. Students in the UGA Sustainability Certificate: The program director has committed to allowing one of our team to provide training on farmer stress and stress management in the introductory course to this certificate and also in the final capstone class of this curriculum;
   4. Agricultural students at other universities in Georgia: The Principal Investigator will reach out to the deans and directors of other agricultural programs in Georgia (e.g. Abraham Baldwin College and Fort Valley State University, with our FVSU Agricultural Communications partner) to offer the training materials and resources we develop to their students;

Written Material Dissemination

Written materials that we develop of farmer stress and stress management, such as flyers, brochures, infographics, etc. will be disseminated at the following locations/events:

1. 1. Farm Service Agency county offices
   2. Extension County Offices
   3. UGA Extension Field Days
   4. All agricultural conferences where we make a presentation or have a table
   5. Sunbelt Ag Expo
   6. Other Expos and Agricultural events where UGA Extension has a presence
   7. Orientation materials for students entering relevant departments within the College of Agricultural and environmental Sciences, such as Animal and Dairy Science, Crop and Soil Science, Horticulture, Poultry Science as well as materials for agricultural students shared with ABAC and FVSU

    B.  What we've done to date: 

Below is a table of all training provided to date, with attendance. In addition, dissemination of the above materials is listed.

Evaluation of Trainings

To date, the following are collected and analyzed evaluations from the trainings

Evaluation of Training for Agricultural Lenders:

Evaluation of Trainings for Producers (combined):

Evaluations for Extension Agent Training on Having a conversation about stress during a production meeting

Other

In response to Hurricane Helene, we did the following:

• • Shared the Resources for Farmers Under Stress booklets with Extension Specialists who work with commodities hardest hit by Helene—pecans, cotton, poultry. Gave each 25 booklets to distribute to farmers as needed.
  • Sent 25 Resources booklets to the Extension ANR agent in Coffee county, who had organized a prayer breakfast a few days after Helene and wanted them to distribute.
  • GA Farm Bureau was coordinating the Weathered but Strong fund to help farmers financially after Helene. They asked for Resources booklets and we provided, so that every farmer who got a check from them also got a booklet—75 in total.
  • Developed two fact sheets for Extension Agents Working with Producers and Others After a Disaster and After a Disaster:  Helping others and yourself (Appendices 14 & 15)

Impact to date:

The most significant impact that can be directly measured at this point in the project is the number of agents who have independently offered the Farm Stress Production Meeting (FSPM) after they completed the training offered through this project—so far 6 of the 16 (38%) have done so.

In addition, during this training the agents spontaneously began discussing wanting to do something for women in farm families (mostly wives) to educate them about stress and help them build support networks. 7 agents had a follow up meeting to discuss this and are moving forward with planning.

Media Coverage: 

• Stafford, J. & Salazar, A. (February 24, 2025). CAES graduate student works with faculty mentor to support farmer well-being [discusses graduate student work with Scheyett] https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/10583/graduate-goals.html
• Alexander, S. (December 22, 2024) It’s a great life, if you can stand it. [based on Scheyett research, Scheyett quoted extensively] https://wgnradio.com/the-business-of-food-with-steve-alexander/its-a-great-life-if-you-can-stand-it/ 
• Hataway, L. (November 18, 2024). The women and stress behind rural farming in America. UGA Today. [based on Scheyett research, Scheyett quoted extensively]. https://news.uga.edu/women-stress-rural-farming/?utm_source=ugatoday&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ugatoday-20241120
• Also featured in Morning Ag Clips November 20, 2024. https://www.morningagclips.com/the-women-stress-behind-rural-farming-in-america/ StudyFinds Dec 2, 2024 https://studyfinds.org/why-americas-farm-women-reaching-breaking-point/ and multiple other news outlets
• Salerno, A. (October 4, 2024). Hurricane damage puts further strain on rural areas in Georgia. Washington Post. [Scheyett quoted]. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/10/04/georgia-agriculture-helene-damage/
• Markham, D. (October 2, 2024) Farmers 3.5 times more at risk for suicide than average American. Newsnation [Scheyett quoted extensively.]  https://www.newsnationnow.com/health/farmers-at-risk-suicide-american/
• Rural Georgia: Growing Stronger
  • Take care of your family.
  • Take care of your farm.
  • Take care of yourself.
  • https://site.extension.uga.edu/mentalwellbeing