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
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