Knowing Growers: Understanding and Supporting Farmers Where They Are

Commodities

Practices

• Sustainable Communities: quality of life, social networks, social psychological indicators, urban agriculture

Farming—including urban farming—can be solitary, and growers have unique stresses that are difficult to convey. Research indicates that farmers suffer from stress, isolation, and more serious conditions such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Growers may lack connections to community resources, including mental health and other supports. They may feel disconnected from consumers and would benefit from relationships that are more than transactional. Growers often resist seeking help due to factors such as misperceptions about farm life, stoicism and self-reliance, and logistics such as the farming schedule itself.

This project fosters social sustainability by addressing the gap between growers needing mental health and support services and those able to provide them. The project will focus on three groups: 1. Growers; 2. Mental health professionals (MHP); 3. Adjunct community supports (ACS). It is essential not only to educate mental health providers about farmers’ unique needs, but also to engage other naturally occurring sources of support, as some farmers may be more comfortable with the latter.

The project will begin with in-person interviews to establish a relationship and informally assess the growers’ needs and preferences. Following the interview, the graduate student will visit the growers’ farms for observation and side-by-side work. Based upon the results of the interview and observations, the student will formulate a training program designed to enhance mental health professionals’ abilities to serve farmers in their communities. A separate program will be designed for use with adjunct supports. Finally, a workshop and accompanying materials will be developed for presentation to the growers who participated in the project. The workshop will cover stress management techniques and other relevant topics.

We will meet the three aims of social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Social sustainability is fostered through facilitating understanding between the farming and mental health communities, and by encouraging the use of naturally occurring supports and connections when appropriate. This project aims to improve farmer’s quality of life by not only supporting a sustainable livelihood, but a sustainable, rewarding life. Economic sustainability is addressed in that farmers who are mentally healthy and supported are more likely to have fewer lost workdays, both on-farm and at market. Environmental sustainability is promoted through having healthy farmers who are interested and engaged in sustainable practices and open to learning. Successful outcomes will benefit growers and community members alike by supporting farmers who in turn support their communities.

As a result of the project, growers will:

Learning outcomes

Learn to identify signs of burnout, stress, or emotional distress.

Learn ways of managing stress

Learn ways to ask for support or help.

Become aware of community resources.

Learn ways to connect with other growers, consumers, and community resources.

Action outcomes

Identify at least three strategies for managing stress.

Identify at least three self-care practices.

Identify supportive resources in their community.

Report improved stress management and well-being.

Have increased confidence in employing stress management techniques.

As a result of the project, MHP and ACS will:

Learning outcomes

Develop an improved understanding of specific needs and preferences for farmers in the delivery of mental health/support services.

Develop an improved understanding of unique stresses of growers.

Develop increased knowledge of reasons why growers may not seek assistance.

Develop an improved ability to provide services, support, and education matching farmers’ scheduling needs.

Action outcomes

Professionals/adjunct supports will demonstrate knowledge of farmers' needs and preferences in service delivery.

Professionals/adjunct supports will demonstrate knowledge of farmers’ unique stresses and will adopt interventions accordingly.

Professionals/adjunct supports will demonstrate knowledge of reasons why farmers may not seek assistance and will work to find ways to reduce stigma and normalize seeking help.

Professionals will adopt creative scheduling to accommodate farmers’ unique needs.