Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience: Farmers and ranchers who may be of the greatest need of any occupational group are going without crucial mental health services and stress assistance. The AgriSafe Network mobilized partners in the southern region of the United States to form the Southern Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (S-FRSAN). AgriSafe leveraged the strengths of the S-FRSAN to establish a clear blueprint for delivery of stress assistance services tailored to the agricultural population from 2019-2020. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health philosophy is the basis by which our services are designed. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health campaign embraces a holistic approach to caring for the agricultural community by focusing not only on the occupational hazards but also individual, social and mental health components that could impact one's health and well-being. In the last year of extension for this grant,AgriSafe has demonstrated success to date in reaching agricultural professionals to share innovation on an ongoing basis, outreach and education of healthcare professionals providing care for agricutlural communiteis and distinct programming to improve the care and conversations with disadvantaged and underrepresented agricultural populations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? AgriSafe has provided leadership and expertise in speaking events targeting participation of agricultural women in theAgrileadHer 2022 virtual conference hosted by Georgia State Department of Agriculture. AgriSafe staff have spoken on the topic of mental health and agriculture at the following conference opportunities:International Society of Agricutlural Safety and Health, 2022, Midwest Region AgricultureSafety and Health, 2022, International Total Worker Health Conference 2022and multiple Missouri organizational mental health groups in Missouri including theMissouri Suicide Prevention Coalition meeting. AgriSafe engaged the National Black Growers Association to provide mental health training at their national conference for Winter 2022. AgriSafe spoke at the11th Annual Louisiana Small Farmers Conference held by Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center on September 21-23, 2022 atSouthern University in Baton Rouge on the topic of mental health and shared AgriSafe mental health resources and training opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? AgriSafe has provided leadership and expertise in speaking events targeting participation of agricultural women in theAgrileadHer 2022 virtual conference hosted by Georgia State Department of Agriculture. AgriSafe staff have spoken on the topic of mental health and agriculture at the following conference opportunities:International Society of Agricutlural Safety and Health, 2022, Midwest Region AgricultureSafety and Health, 2022, International Total Worker Health Conference 2022and multiple Missouri organizational mental health groups in Missouri including theMissouri Suicide Prevention Coalition meeting. AgriSafe engaged the National Black Growers Association to provide mental health training at their national conference for Winter 2022. AgriSafe spoke at the11th Annual Louisiana Small Farmers Conference held by Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center on September 21-23, 2022 atSouthern University in Baton Rouge on the topic of mental health and shared AgriSafe mental health resources and training opportunities. AgriSafe connected with the current SFRSAN grantee, University of Tennessee to participate in the 2022 Southern region meeting with partners to offer AgriSafe expertise and professional contributions to support the building and ongoing work in the Southern Region. Going forward, AgriSafe will continue to play a major role in the area of agricultural mental health.Thank you for the support toward the important work that we completed as a result of the USDA FY 2019 S-FRSAN funding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? AgriSafe has achieved the following accomplishments through our efforts with the AgriStress Response Network and the AgriStress Mental Health Innovation Exchange: Hosted 11 monthly meetings Supported the works of 25 unique speakers since February 2022 Created acontact list of 779 interested attendees through registrations and attendance Supported an average monthly attendance of 44 individuals Developed webpage for the AgriStress Response Network:https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-response-network/ Developed webpage for the AgriStress Mental Health Innovation Exchange:https://www.agrisafe.org/mental-health-innovations-exchange/ Developed the AgriStress Response Network Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/AgriStressResponse/ Social media metrics for AgriStress Response Network/Monthly Innovations Exchange: Meltwater Social media reach: 14,408; News reach: 291,318 Total potential reach: 305,726 Webpage views for AgriStress Response Network/Monthly Innovations Exchange:1079 AgriStress Response Network Facebook page:Followers- 227; Post reach- 667;Post engagements- 139 As outlined in the original proposal, sustainability of network activities is critical and must include the integration of services within the current business market. During FY21, AgriSafe was able to secure funding from Nutrien to support the ongoing work with the AgriStress Response Network going forward. In addition, our strong media partnerships ensure national attention with major agribusiness news sources. AgriSafe converted existing mental health resources to Spanish through the efforts of a trained content Spanish interpreter. AgriSafe engages our Spanish advisory board for all Spanish materials to ensure fair and accurate use in the Spanish speaking communities. AgriSafe reviewed and updated our existing mental health resources. AgriSafe increased QPR staff of QPR instructors from 3 to 7 since the FY 21 grant extension. Improved tracking of use of online resources

Publications

Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmers and ranchers who may be of the greatest need of any occupational group are going without crucial mental health services and stress assistance. The AgriSafe Network mobilized partners in the southern region of the United States to form the Southern Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (S-FRSAN). AgriSafe will leverage the strengths of the S-FRSAN to establish a clear blueprint for delivery of stress assistance services tailored to the agricultural population. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health philosophy will be the basis by which the services are designed. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health campaign embraces a holistic approach to caring for the agricultural community by focusing not only on the occupational hazards but also individual, social and mental health components that could impact one's health and well-being. S-FRSAN will meet the stated programmatic goals by fulfilling these important objectives: 1) Strategically assess innovations in stress assistance especially among diverse agricultural communities. 2) Develop a S-FRSAN website and social marketing materials that can be branded and repurposed to direct farmers and ranchers to stress assistance. 3) Implement organizational changes that can result in a higher utilization of mental health services and a reduction in barriers to seeking care. 4) Identify partners and service providers who have the competency to deliver stress assistance to farmers and ranchers. 5) Offer monthly free trainings to rural health professionals and community influencers to increase their competency in caring for the needs faced by farmers and ranchers. 6) Complete strategic plan for launch in year II. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?1. AgriSafe has provided leadership and expertise in speaking events targeting participation of agricultural women in the AgrileadHer 2022 virtual conference hosted by Georgia State Department of Agriculture. 2. AgriSafe staff have spoken on the topic of mental health and agriculture at the following conference opportunities: International Society of Agricutlural Safety and Health, 2022 , Midwest Region Agriculture Safety and Health 2022, International Total Worker Health Conference 2022 and multiple Missouri organizational mental health groups in Missouri including the Missouri Suicide Prevention Coalition meeting. 3. AgriSafe engaged the National Black Growers Association to provide mental health training at their national conference for Winter 2022. 4. AgriSafe spoke at the 11th Annual Louisiana Small Farmers Conference held by Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center on September 21-23, 2022 at Southern University in Baton Rouge on the topic of mental health and shared AgriSafe mental health resources and training opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?1. AgriSafe has provided leadership and expertise in speaking events targeting participation of agricultural women in the AgrileadHer 2022 virtual conference hosted by Georgia State Department of Agriculture. 2. AgriSafe staff have spoken on the topic of mental health and agriculture at the following conference opportunities: International Society of Agricutlural Safety and Health, 2022 , Midwest Region Agriculture Safety and Health, 2022, International Total Worker Health Conference 2022 and multiple Missouri organizational mental health groups in Missouri including the Missouri Suicide Prevention Coalition meeting. 3. AgriSafe engaged the National Black Growers Association to provide mental health training at their national conference for Winter 2022. 4. AgriSafe spoke at the 11th Annual Louisiana Small Farmers Conference held by Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center on September 21-23, 2022 at Southern University in Baton Rouge on the topic of mental health and shared AgriSafe mental health resources and training opportunities. 5. AgriSafe connected with the current SFRSAN grantee, University of Tennessee to participate in the 2022 Southern region meeting with partners to offer AgriSafe expertise and professional contributions to support the building and ongoing work in the Southern Region. 6. Going forward, AgriSafe will continue to play a major role in the area of agricultural mental health. Thank you for the support toward the important work that we completed as a result of the USDA FY 2019 S-FRSAN funding. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? AgriSafe has achieved the following accomplishments through our efforts with the AgriStress Response Network and the AgriStress Mental Health Innovation Exchange: 1. Hosted 11 monthly meetings 2. Supported the works of 25 unique speakers since February 2022 3. Created a contact list of 779 interested attendees through registrations and attendance 4. Supported an average monthly attendance of 44 individuals 5. Developed webpage for the AgriStress Response Network: https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-response-network/ 6. Developed webpage for the AgriStress Mental Health Innovation Exchange: https://www.agrisafe.org/mental-healthinnovations- exchange/ 7. Developed the AgriStress Response Network Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AgriStressResponse/ Social media metrics for AgriStress Response Network/Monthly Innovations Exchange: 1. Meltwater Social media reach: 14,408; News reach: 291,318 Total potential reach: 305,726 2. Webpage views for AgriStress Response Network/Monthly Innovations Exchange: 1079 3. AgriStress Response Network Facebook page: Followers- 227; Post reach- 667; Post engagements- 139 As outlined in the original proposal, sustainability of network activities is critical and must include the integration of services within the current business market. During FY21, AgriSafe was able to secure funding from Nutrien to support the ongoing work with the AgriStress Response Network going forward. In addition, our strong media partnerships ensure national attention with major agribusiness news sources. • AgriSafe converted existing mental health resources to Spanish through the efforts of a trained content Spanish interpreter. AgriSafe engages our Spanish advisory board for all Spanish materials to ensure fair and accurate use in the Spanish speaking communities. • AgriSafe reviewed and updated our existing mental health resources. • AgriSafe increased QPR staff of QPR instructors from 3 to 7 since the FY 21 grant extension. • Improved tracking of use of online resources

Publications

Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience: Farmers and ranchers who may be of the greatest need of any occupational group are going without crucial mental health services and stress assistance. The AgriSafe Network mobilized partners in the southern region of the United States to form the Southern Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (S-FRSAN). AgriSafe leveraged the strengths of the S-FRSAN to establish a clear blueprint for delivery of stress assistance services tailored to the agricultural population from 2019-2020. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health philosophy isthe basis by which ourservices are designed. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health campaign embraces a holistic approach to caring for the agricultural community by focusing not only on the occupational hazards but also individual, social and mental health components that could impact one's health and well-being. AgriSafe has demonstrated success to date in reaching agricultural professionals to share innovation on an ongoing basis, outreach and education of healthcare professionals providing care for agricutlural communiteis anddistinct programming to improve the care and conversations withdisadvantaged and underrepresented agricultural populations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Monthly AgriStress Response Network meeting occurring the first Wednesday of each month with the associated marketing flyer showcasing flash talk speakers on innovation and information about programming currently underway in agricultural mental health. Acceptance to present at Georgia's agrileadHer project to present at their 2022 annual virtual conference. Discussions underway withWyoming Women in Ag group to provide QPR for Farmers and Farm Families training at their 2022 in person conference. Seasons Change, You Remain presentation to producers at theNational Black Grower's AssociationAnnual Conference on mental health in December 2022 in Memphis with 150 in attendance. AgriSafe hosted and produced a webinar on Heirs property April 2022 (50 views) with a companion podcast episode (124 listens).Both programs were marketed nationally. In May 2022, Arkansas PBS interviewed AgriSafe and Carolyn Oldham from the Southeast Ag Center for Occupational Health and Safety for a documentary production on agricultural stress and QPR for Farmers and Farm Families. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?AgriSafe plans to have curated a database of providers that have demonstrated cultural competence in agricultural mental health. AgriSafe plans to continue to promote our trainings and presentations among underrepresented popualtions. AgriSafe will continue to grow participation and recognition of the AgriStress Response Network meetings. AgriSafe will provide social media and usage metrics of the work done in this reporting period in our final report.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Activites that fall under the revised objectives for 2021-2022 extension: Goal # 2 4. Complete AgriStress Response Network webpage and marketing materials. AgriStress Response webpage found here:https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-response-network/ Monthly AgriStress Response Network meeting occurring the first Wednesday of each month with the associated marketing flyer showcasing flash talk speakers and promoted to existing and newly identified contacts. Promotion of monthly talks on AgriStress Response Facebook in addition to regular social media content curated and posted several times weekly. As of May 2022, AgriStress Response monthly meetings continue to expand participation by new attendees with an overall average of 20 attendees. AgriSafe secured sustainability funding for the AgriStress Response Network past the USDA funds with the award of CHS funding. 5. Create a regional provider and partner database of those who can provide mental health therapy. In order to build a database of competent mental health providers, AgriSafe is providing foundational training for providers. AgriSafe providers and providers that have similar training demonstrating these competencies will be part of the searchable database. Currently, AgriSafe isexploringsoftware solutions to finalize the database. Under Goal #2 3. Ensure that disadvantage and underrepresented Ag Producers are impacted In 2022, AgriSafe began holding monthly diversity and inclusion staff meetings to open discussion regarding opportunities and responsibilities of AgriSafe to underrepresented populations. In addition to increasing our knowledge of culture and ethnic specific topics, we will strategically expand our board of directors to include Latino and underrepresented ethnic groups. Beginning in 2022, AgriSafe created a Spanish advisory board to provide guidance on educational webinars, resources, and materials to ensure they are appropriate for Spanish speaking communities. AgriSafe will be adding a permanent position for diversity and inclusion work in the organization, which was supported by outside funding, through Butcher Box. AgriSafe has connected with 1.Georgia's AgrLeadHer project to present at their 2022 annual virtual conference. 2.Wyoming Women in Ag group to provide QPR for Farmers and Farm Families training at their 2022 in person conference Engaging National Black Grower's Association in current mental health and ag health offerings is ongoing with leadership. AgriSafe presented at the National Black Growers Annual Conference on mental health in December 2022 in Memphis with 150 in attendance. AgriSafe hosted and produced a webinar on Heirs property April 2022 (50 views) with a companion podcast episode (124 listens).Both programs were marketed nationally. AgriSafe continues to collaborate with Southeast Ag Center for Occupational Health and Safety to extend our QPR reach to underrepresented Ag Producers and workers. In May 2022, Arkansas PBS interviewed AgriSafe and Carolyn Oldham from the Southeast Ag Center for Occupational Health and Safety for a documentary production on agricultural stress and QPR for Farmers and Farm Families. AgriSafe continues to cultivate partnerships and collaboration with University of Virgin Islands under the direction of Dr. Louis Petersen. AgriSafe facilitatescommunication of cobranding our educational materials for their May 2022 event AgriFest.Future meeting to expand our collaboration is planned for the summer 2022. 4. Assess and improve available resources for prevention of suicide and mental well-being. AgriSafe's webinar on Heir's property was strategically developed to address gaps of information for disadvantaged population. The podcastTalking Total Farmer Healthwas developed to reach producers while working or driving. Four of the current seven episodes of this podcast cover various topics under the topic of mental health.https://www.agrisafe.org/podcasts/talking-total-farmer-health/ AgriSafe has increased our QPR faculty to seven trainers able to provide QPR Gatekeeper training virtually and in person. We have developed an inquiry system on our QPR webpage to field QPR training requests. AgriSafe has hired a parttime QPR Coordinator to provide communication for marketing and media requests.https://www.agrisafe.org/courses/qpr_sda AgriSafe has curated comprehensive databases of farmer stress resources in Wyoming, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Texas. These databases are provided for those states to address specific needs of agricultural producers in crisis. Tracking access to AgriSafe's online resources has been made possible with our webpage metrics. Addition of a Health Communications Officer to our staff to monitor most frequently accessed resources and trainings has improved our ability to achieve this objective. Our final report will include Meltwater and Google metrics. AgriSafe's Learning Lab allows for tracking of completion of all trainings.

Publications

• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Link to AgriStress Response Network webpage: https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-response-network/
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Rose-Davidson, K. ( December 2021). Season's Change, You Remain: Mental Wellbeing. National Black Growers Annual Conference, Memphis, TN.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Haskins, T. (2022). Optimizing the Female Producer Health with a Focus on Mental Wellbeing Scheduled for August 17-18, 2022

Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The S-FRSAN has an impressive track record of serving thousands of farmers in the region since the inception of the Network. The target audienceincluded marginalized or under-served farming populations, including migrants, veterans, women, African Americans, Latinx, Hispanic, and those living in resource-limited areas with declining population density. The Network underwent a rapid expansion from 7 to 25 organizational partnersin the Southern region. The expansion of the Network was necessary to ensure outreach to underserved, minority agricultural producers, coverage of the forestry industry, diversity of knowledge, skills, and expertise to meet all agricultural communities' mental health needs. The expansion also added the perspective of minority and disadvantaged populations through partnerships with Tuskegee University, the Virgin Islands University Extension, Migrant Clinicians Network, and National Black Growers Council. S-FRSAN sustainability is rooted in the acceptance from diverse farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and foresters working hard in the Southern region. All marketed programming supported by the USDA FY 19 grant reached end users ranging from agricultural professionals in the extension, financial mediation and support organizations, leaders in rural health, agricultural producers, academia, farm credit services, and regional organizations nationally and in the US territories. Southern Farm and Rancher Stress Assistance Network Participants AgriSafe Network Florida Agricultural Mediation Program National Black Growers Council ViaLink (hotline provider) National AgrAbility Project Arkansas Department of Agriculture Arkansas Timber Producers Association Virginia Department of Agricultural Consumer Services Migrant Clinicians Network Progressive Agriculture Foundation Mississippi State University Extension Oklahoma State University-Extension Service Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Alabama Consortium includes: Alabama A&M and Auburn Extension & Tuskegee University Clemson University Cooperative Extension University of Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension University of Arkansas Research and Extension Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, & Forestry; Progressive Agriculture Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention, and Education LSU Agricultural Center/Louisiana Forest Products Development Center American Farmers and Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union Changes/Problems:Funding from NIFA was not released until March of 2020 although the grant was awarded in September of 2019.This delay in funding from NIFA caused a delay in AgriSafe issuing sub award funds to the six partner organizations who were set to received sub awards. In turn, funds were not expended as originally planned and AgriSafe had to use non-USDA funds to support the work of the staff during the first six months. The second major challenge was the Covid-19 pandemic.As a result of travel restrictions, face to face meetings and trainings had to be moved to a virtual platform. Despite the two major setbacks (delay in release of funds and Covid-19), AgriSafe was highly adaptable and flexible.As an organization experienced in virtual regional work, we were able to shift our strategy to include virtual trainings and web meetings with partner organizations. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provides over twenty-five courses for professional development including continuing education for health professionals.S-FRSAN is a regional network but to be effective at the local level, rural communities must be given access to trainings.That is why AgriSafe's Learning Management system is an effective method to teach others through the live and OnDemand platform.For example, the pandemic has caused an increase in anxiety and depression as evident in the increase in calls to the National Suicide Lifeline.AgriSafe responded by incorporatingpandemic mental health coping tipsduring their Covid19 webinars as a professional development offering. Most impressive is the work done by S-FRSAN to offer Mental Health First Aid and QPR virtual training. Planning for these virtual courses occurred during the first year and the response to date is that the session seats have hit capacity. It should also be noted that to successfully meet the demand for layperson trainings, many MHFA and QPR instructors have been established in two major extension offices in theSouthern region. Their professional preparation will continue to meet the needs of the region's agricultural communities long after funding has been expended as well as establish culurally competent training modules that can be replicated nationally.Described below is the description of each course: QPR training teaches lay people and professionals to recognize and respond to a mental health crisis, namely reducing suicidal behaviors and saving lives using the approach of Question, Persuade, and Refer. This 1.5 hour enhanced QPR training will address the unique nature of agricultural producers in crisis using agricultural case examples. 2)Mental Health First Aid with an Agriculture Focus Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training that teaches participants how to better identify, understand, and respond to common mental health disorders, substance misuse/dependence, and mental health crisis. This training will use agricultural case scenarios that address inherent risks and consequences of mental distress for agricultural producers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Listed in detail under "other products" in this annual report is impact through print, TV, social media and radio.The dissemination plan includes a multipronged public health response. As previously described, S-FRSAN was successful in educating the region about activities as evident by the media reach.For example, from April 2020-September 2020 over 137,000 people were reached through print publications and social media (as collected by Meltwater analytics). Furthermore, a conservative aggregate of our social media reach was 5,591 with trainings totaling1,018 individuals. Because our webinars continue to be offered On-demand, we expect these numbers to grow.AgriSafe utilized metrics collected from Meltwater software to measure dissemination of results to our target audience. Meltwater software allows us to create hotspots where we can see where our media and communications have been most effective.In addition, our communities of interest are well connected to S-FRSAN through social media outlets. AgriSafe'sTotal Farmer Health® philosophy is the basis by which results are disseminated to communities of interest. Our educational strategy is based upon the principle that to achieve Total Farmer Health® one must have a healthy mind and healthy body. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The Network partners are dedicated to the mission, objectives and stated goals of the SFRSAN. Southwest Ag Center will offer monthly free training to rural health professional and community influencers to increase their competency in caring for the unique mental health needs faced by farmers and ranchers Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention (SCAHIP) will 1) collaboration with the KY Dept of Behavioral Health to include support for additional trainings to supplementS-FRSAN activities 2) train 215 individuals with QPR for Farmers and Farm Families through collaboration with AgriSafe 3) complete evaluation of the QPR for Farmers and Farm Families for effectiveness and learner satisfaction. Florida Mediation/Roundtable Strategies will complete a presentation for AgriSafe Learning Lab title: What the Experts Say About Mediation. Panel discussion with mediation experts will include mediation successes, challenges, and how to get the most out of your mediation session. Virginia Department of Agriculture will 1) survey and query the states in the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (SASDA) to identify the available resources and partners they deem critical in addressing farmer and rancher stress and mental health 2) identify state resources with the goal of developing a regional resource network 3) identify resource gaps in order to create a seamless resource network at the regional level 4) develop and film an educational documentary to inform the public about the issue 5) create 15 and 30 second commercials and branding print materials to advertise the national suicide prevention hotline call/text numbers across the state 6) complete revisions for awareness campaign to educate agricultural communities and the general public about farmer stress and suicide. AgriSafe will continue to 1)identify best practices and innovation in stress reduction services2) maximize exposure to free mediation services for Ag producers 3) complete S-FRSAN website and marketing materials 4) engage media sources in the promotion of services, training opportunities and resources and 5) educate at least 10,000 Ag producers on services/resources.6) ensure that disadvantage and underrepresented Ag producers are impacted7)assess and improve available resources for prevention of suicide8) evaluate program activities and impact and 9) secure financial support for growth of SFRSAN. AgriSafe willlead, sustain, and grow the Southern Farmer and Stress Assistance Network well beyond 2021.Sustainability of network activities will be an important focus of the next reporting period. S-FRSAN sustainability includes the integration of services within the current business market. Private sector funding is feasible as well, particularly agribusiness companies and insurers serving the farming community. The long term business model includes a combination of user fees, insurance reimbursements, and agribusiness support. The Network is striving to be self-sufficient through a demonstrated reduction of lost work-days and an increase in farm productivity. In addition, our strong media partnerships ensure national attention with major agribusiness news sources

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal #1: Establish a diverse, regionally representative network of member organizations. Agricultural communities across the Southern region vary in demographics and type of agricultural work. To match this variation, the expanded S-FRSAN represents a diverse, regionally representative network of participant organizations. The Network complements existing stress assistance services and builds on the strengths and diversity of the partner organization.Each partner brings a unique perspective to the Network and acts as a voice for other like-minded organizations. This single regional network's value includes a unified voice, consolidation of resources, cost efficiency, and maximization of expertise. AgriSafe exceeded the goal of establishing a diverse regionally representative network member organization by expanding to 25 members.We have characterized our network's strengths, including geographic diversity and cross-cutting expertise in finance, mediation, injury prevention, disaster assistance, and mental health among farmers, veterans, and farm workers. Since the S-FRSAN started, core working groups formed around common interests and shared objectives. For example, The University of Alabama joined with Alabama-Auburn Extension and Tuskegee University to form the University of Alabama Consortium. Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Extension, and American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union are collaborating to meet their state's agricultural producers' needs. The spirit among partners to use resources efficiently in the region adds value to the S-FRSAN while ensuring coordination. The S-FRSAN completed a needs assessment of the Southern region.Those findings led to a three-year strategic plan (a blueprint for further development). The work of S-FRSAN ensures that existing efforts within states are not duplicative but value-added.For example, Kentucky has an established suicide prevention hotline and recent legislative support for a farmer mental health call line. Kentucky's lessons learned and resources have strengthened suicide prevention efforts regionally and across S-FRSAN partners. Communication among network members is seamless due to the use of the integrated planning technique.Also, several web-based instruments are used to communicate network progress and to encourage integration among organizations, such as Huddle for workspace platform, Smartsheet for project management, and GoToMeeting for virtual conferencing. With the assistance of an outside evaluator, AgriSafe completed the first phase of evaluating the governance of the network and completed an extensive evaluation to assure program components are well designed and measured.Logic models were also developed to aid in communicating the expected outcomes. Goal #2: Develop a clearinghouse of farmer assistance programs in the region, including programs providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral. AgriSafe and partners have collected stress assistance data to enhance the S-FRSAN clearinghouse (housed in the AgriSafe Learning Management System-ALL).ALL is being enhanced to include a wide range of mental health course offerings.To view visit https://learning.agrisafe.org/mental-health Monthly calls with S-FRSAN are used to explore and identify best practices in stress reduction services.Through these learning opportunities, S-FRSAN has developed joint programmings such as Podcasts, Farm Response hotline training, virtual Mental Health First Aid, and QPR. AgriSafe recognized early on the priority to effectively represent the needs of disadvantaged and underrepresented Ag producers.That is why the network expansion includes organizations representing marginalized or under-served farming populations, including migrants, veterans, women, African Americans, Latinx, Hispanics, and those living in resource-limited areas with declining population density. The National Black Growers Council and the Migrant Clinicians Network are examples of new S-FRSAN partners representing minorities. Goal #3: Educate individuals/teams in the southern region about FRSAN activities and how they can access and use existing resources and programs in their work with agricultural workers and communities under stress. Comprehensive mental health and stress programming for agricultural producers was achievable through seamlessly connected, strong regional partnerships. Integrated programming that addressed stigma, connects to mediation and financial coaches, and increased access to mental health services was vital to restoring quality of life and work satisfaction for agricultural producers in the southern region. S-FRSAN was successful in educating the region about activities, as evident by the media reach.For example, from April 2020-September 2020, over 137,000 people were reached through print publications and social media (as collected by Meltwater analytics). The reporting of "other products" in this report highlights the diverse landscape in which S-FRSAN delivered programming.Farmers are active radio listeners, so it made sense to add webinar trainings to podcast channels. As the lead agency, AgriSafe maintains a welcoming all-inclusive approach to collaboration.We believe in the power of rural professionals, which is why we promote a train the trainer approach. In other words, to access existing resources and programs, one does not need to be a formal member of S-FRSAN.The clearinghouse products and social media educational resources are made widely available across the region.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pigott, K., Durling, J., & Gruber, D. (May 20, 2020 live, continues On-demand) How Mediation Can Help Farmers Speakers: Kate Pigott, JD, Program Coordinator, Michigan and Florida Agricultural Mediation Program, John Durling, PhD, Outreach Coordinator, Michigan Agricultural Mediation Program, & David Gruber, JD, Executive Director of Roundtable Strategies https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/how-mediation-can-help-farmers-may-20-2020#tab-product_tab_overview
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Haskins, T. & Stone, A. Mental Health in Farm and Ranch Country, submitted to the National Rural Health Association Annual Conference May 2021, Accepted
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Stone, A. (May 18, 2020 live, continues On-demand) Stress and Dairy Farming: Challenging Times in the Dairy Industry Pave the Way for Mental Health Struggles Speaker: Amanda Stone, PhD, Mississippi State University https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/cne-stress-and-dairy-farming-challenging-times-in-the-dairy-industry-pave-the-way-for-mental-health-struggles
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Haskins, T. (July 7, 2020 live, continues On-demand) Mental Health in Farm and Ranch Country: How Communities Can Help!, Speakers-Tara Haskins, DNP, RN, AgriSafe, https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/mental-health-in-farm-and-ranch-country-how-communities-can-help
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Haskins, T., Mazur, J, & Bronaugh, J. (September 22, 2020 live, continues On-demand) Mental Health Innovations in Agricultural Communities. Speakers- Tara Haskins, DNP, RN, AgriSafe, Joan Mazur, PhD, Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention Center, Jewell Bronaugh, PhD, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/mental-health-innovations-in-agricultural-communities
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Radunovich, H. (March 20, 2020) Coping with the mental stress of COVID 19, webinar/podcast Speaker- Heidi Radunovich, PhD, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Southeast Coastal Extension https://anchor.fm/agrisafe-podcast/episodes/Heidi-Radunovich-on-Coping-with-the-Mental-stress-of-COVID-19-ed142q
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Radunovich, H (May 28, 2020, live, continues On-demand). COVID 19 Think Tank, Speaker: Heidi Radunovich, PhD, University of Florida Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Southeast Coastal Extension https://learning.agrisafe.org/products/weekly-think-tank-covid-19-ag-task-force-response-recordings#tab-product_tab_contents__9