Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience: In 2021-2022, four Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) facilitator trainings were held targeting Individuals engaged in farming and their advocates. Two programs were provided in Ames, one in Cedar Rapids, and one in Waterloo, Iowa. Twenty-nine new SFP 10-14 facilitators were certified. None were offered in 2022-2023 as the target deliverable of 30 new facilitators had mostly been reached. In 2021-2022, Clinton County Extension staff hosted a SFP 10-14 program for local families in DeWitt, Iowa. Four parents and seven youth completed the program (11 individuals). In 2022-2023, Webster County Extension staff hosted another program for local families in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Twelve parents and 10 youth completed the program (22 individuals). The deliverable for reaching 126 individuals with SFP 10-14 programs was not reached. There were struggles in the county extension offices due to staff turnover and other variables that prevented additional SFP 10-14 programs from being held. Though not a part of this project, in 2022-2023, 7 parents and 6 youth (13 individuals) completed the Familias Fuertes program at Weeks Middle School and 10 parents and 11 youth (21 Individuals) completed the same program at Hiatt Middle School , both in Des Moines. Familias Fuertes, is the Spanish language version of Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14. Goal 3: Farm Resource Publications Two farm resource publications were originally developed in 2021-2022, that included information on how to access Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) stress assistance and family finance programming. One document, titled, Stress on the Farm: A Resource for Farmers, Families and Communities, was directed toward farmers, family members and community members. The second publication titled Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates, targeted agribusinesses and those agencies supporting farmers and their families. A third farm stress publication, ESTRÉS EN ÁREAS AGRÍCOLAS, was developed during 2022-2023 as well. ? Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Again, twenty-nine individuals were trained as Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) facilitators in 2021-2022. Some of those were county extension staff members and other professionals. One previously trained SFP 10-14 facilitator, who is a 4-H Youth development staff member, was also able to renew their certification. here were no direct opportunities for professional development offered through this project in 2023-2024. However, the assumed goal was that individuals engaged in farming and their advocates, who are now more aware of the training opportunities available, would take advantage of such opportunities, especially MHFA and QPR training. (See Goal 1). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Quarterly updates have been provided to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. •The following presentations were made, which included results from and information about the project. Brown, D. N., Johnson, D., Hinke, N., & Lee, G. (2022). Farm wellness outreach to the agricultural community. National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Annual Conference. Raleigh, North Carolina. Brown, D. N., Jacobs, T., & Johnson, D. (2022). A comprehensive suicide prevention response to Iowa agriculture disasters. Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Annual Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brown, D. N. (2023). A comprehensive suicide prevention response for Iowa agriculture stressors. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services 2023 Suicide Prevention Webinar Series. Virtual Presentation. Brown, D.N. (2023). Stress on the farm: Strategies to help each other. USDA - Farm Service Agency staff (160). Des Moines, Iowa. Brown, D.N. (2023). Strategies to help each other: Using the C.O.R.N. Model. Iowa Suicide Prevention Coalition Summit: Building Hope in Rural Communities. Ames, Iowa. The following presentation is scheduled and will also include results from and information about the project. Brown, D. N., Jacobs, T., Johnson, D., & Lee, G. (2023). A comprehensive suicide prevention response to Iowa agriculture disasters. National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH). Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. A statewide news release highlighting the results of the project was published on October 11, 2022. See https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/farm-mental-health-and-wellness-program-benefits-iowa-farmers-rural-communities. A similar news release will be shared in October of 2023. An Iowa Public Radio interview by Dr. David Drown highlighted the program, its results and its link to key farm and ranch stress assistance programs in September of 2022. Dr. John Lawrence, previous Vice-President for Extension at Iowa State University shared this communication with all ISU extension staff in March of 2023. "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.This 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, includingStress on the Farm (English)andStress on the Farm (Spanish)for farmers and families andFarm Stress and Mental Healthfor advocates. Watch for the campaign beginning in April and continuing through summer." Dr. Jason Henderson, current Vice-President for Extension at Iowa State University shared this communication with all ISU extension staff in June of 2023. 'Help is at hand' with farm stress campaign "You may have noticed powerful mental health messages featured on our ISU Extension and Outreach social media channels. As part of a USDA grant, the "Help is at hand" campaign targets farmers and their families, farm laborers, and agribusinesses. Some of the resources are offered in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. We worked with Advancement to create, develop, and launch the campaign. Placements include videos, radio ads, and social media posts in both English and Spanish. The campaign shares this message: "Farm life is never easy, and the stress can be even harder to handle. It can feel like one challenge after another. But you are not alone. Support and resources are available here any time, every day. Learn to recognize the signs of stress in others and in yourself. Help is at hand." The campaign's website,Stress on the Farm, directs audiences to two guides.Stress on the Farm(inEnglishandSpanish), can help farm families and friends to recognize mental health concerns, substance use, and warning signs of suicidal intent, and offer support to family members, friends, neighbors, and others in their community.Farm Stress and Mental Healthis for professionals who interact regularly with farmers and their families. The guide can help agricultural advocates recognize mental health warning signs and respond to someone in crisis." What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This will be the final reporting period for this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Local Outreach Consultation The principal investigator, 11subcontracted county extension staff members and 1Iowa State University employed outreach staff were allocated to provide local outreach consultations and activities to those individuals engaged in farming and their advocates regarding available stress assistance programs. Between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023, these staff provided 529 direct 1:1 consultations and 701 group consultations. Final and updated totals for the entire project from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2023, included 2,246 direct 1:1 consultations and 6,205 group consultations reviewing the key stress resources available to farmers, ranchers and their advocates. As found in the 2022-2023 progress report related to a separate grant - USDA NIFA #2020-70028-32728, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provided 20 youth and adult Mental Health First Aid programs to 318 participants. Similarly, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offered 23 Question.Persuade.Refer. suicide prevention gatekeeper training to 333 participants from the same target audience. Goal 2: SFP 10-14 In 2021-2022, 4Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) facilitator trainings were held targeting Individuals engaged in farming and their advocates. 29new SFP 10-14 facilitators were certified. In 2021-2022, Clinton County Extension staff hosted a SFP 10-14 program for local families in DeWitt, Iowa. 4parents and 7youth completed the program (11 individuals). In 2022-2023, Webster County Extension staff hosted another program for local families in Fort Dodge, Iowa. 12parents and 10 youth completed the program (22 individuals). The deliverable for reaching 126 individuals with SFP 10-14 programs was not reached. There were struggles in the extension offices due to staff turnover and other variables that prevented additional SFP 10-14 programs from being held. Though not a part of this project, in 2022-2023, 7 parents and 6 youth (13 individuals) completed the Familias Fuertes program at Weeks Middle School and 10 parents and 11 youth (21 Individuals) completed the same program at Hiatt Middle School, both in Des Moines. Familias Fuertes, is the Spanish language version of Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14. Goal 3: Farm Resource Publications 2 farm resource publications were originally developed in 2021-2022, that included information on how to access Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) stress assistance and family finance programming. 1document, Stress on the Farm: A Resource for Farmers, Families and Communities, was directed toward farmers, family members and community members. The 2ndpublication titled Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates, targeted agribusinesses and those agencies supporting farmers and their families. A 3rdfarm stress publication, ESTRÉS EN ÁREAS AGRÍCOLAS, was developed during 2022-2023. Between September 1 and August 31, 2023, 20,250 of these hard copy publications were provided during or following outreach consultations/contacts and activities noted in Goal 1.Publications were thus provided to all organizations and entities also listed in Goal 1. Publications were also sent to colleagues at the University of Illinois to be shared at the 2023 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, IL. The final total for the entire project from September 1, 2021, to July 31, 2023, showed that 43,203 publications were delivered across all 99 counties in Iowa. Each of these publications were also available for electronic download. From Sept 1, 2021, to Aug 31, 2022, the following downloads were made: S = 392 downloads Stress on the Farm: A Resource for farmers, Families and Communities = 619 downloads ESTRÉS EN ÁREAS AGRÍCOLAS = 0 downloads From Sept 1, 2023, to Aug 31, 2023, the following downloads were made: Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates = 524 downloads Stress on the Farm: A Resource for farmers, Families and Communities = 652 downloads ESTRÉS EN ÁREAS AGRÍCOLAS = 113 downloads In total, an additional 2,300 publications were downloaded. Note: The National Extension Association for Consumer and Family Sciences (NEAFCS) has awarded these publications with a First Place National Award and First Place Central Region Award, in the Educational Publications category. Goal 4 : Outreach to Spanish Speaking Audiences As noted, a third farm stress publication, ESTRÉS EN ÁREAS AGRÍCOLAS, was developed during 2022-2023. This publication was directed toward Spanish speaking farmers and farmworkers. The number of publications provided is included in the previously noted numbers, however, there has been some success providing these publications at grocery stores and food pantries, beyond the organizations and entities already listed. Three Question.Persuade.Refer. programs were offered in Spanish in collaboration with Proteus, Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer (LUNA), and Turner Construction to 24 participants from 2021 to 2023. Goal 5: Public Service Campaign In the Spring of 2023, ISU Extension and Outreach embarked on a large public service campaign highlighting the three developed farm stress publications and a newly created farm stress webpage at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/farmstress Four videos were created: Farmer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1HFxiAnQso Caregivers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTDW4YCN9Fc Families https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9XYaxB5PTc Spanish Speaking Farmers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj_LuxkW02U Audio PSA's were developed as well as English and Spanish Scripts. Finally, a variety of social media images were also produced to be use on various social media platforms. The impact of this campaign has been impressive: Facebook/Instagram Impressions: 1,745,307 Facebook/Instagram Link Clicks/Full video plays: 42,143 YouTube Impressions: 435,632 YouTube Link Clicks: 2,819 Additional Results? A follow-up survey was also offered to some of the agribusiness staff who received the farm stress resource packets. A sampling of questions included: After reviewing the "Stress on the Farm" packet, I am more likely to contact the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 43.3% said they were more likely to contact Iowa Concern, 21.6% indicated they were more likely to contact Healthy Families, 16.2% said they were more likely to contact Iowa 211; 5.4% noted they were more likely to contact Teenline; and 13.5% reported none of the above or other. After receiving the "Stress on the Farm" packet, I am more likely to utilize one of the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 21.8% noted they were more likely to utilize Question.Persuade.Refer (QPR); 17.4% said they were more likely to utilize Financial Education Consultation; 17.4% indicated they were more likely to utilize ISU Farm Financial Planning; 15.2% said they were more likely to utilize Iowa Farm Bureau-Stress and Mental Health; 13.1% indicated they were more likely to utilize Farm Wellness Alliance;; Center; 2.1 % said they were more likely to utilize North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance; and 13% said none of these or other. After reviewing the "Stress on the Farm" packet, I am more knowledgeable about how to contact a behavioral health or substance use provider. Of the participants completing the survey: 61.1% strongly agreed; 38.9 agreed. NO DATA - After reading the "Farm Stress and Mental Health" factsheet, I am more likely to contact one of the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 30% said they were more likely to contact Iowa Concern; 30% noted they were more likely to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; 20% indicated they were more likely to contact Your Life Iowa; and 10% reported none of the above.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates
Stress on the Farm: A Resource for Farmers, Families and Communities
Estres En Areas Agricolas
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is those individuals engaged in farming and their advocates Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Again, 29 individuals were trained as Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) facilitators. Some of those were county extension staff members and other professionals. One previously trained SFP 10-14 facilitator, who is a 4-H Youth development staff member, was also able to renew their certification. Other than the training opportunity to become SFP 10-14 facilitators, there were no direct opportunities for professional development offered through this project. However, the assumed goal was that individuals engaged in farming and their advocates, who are now more aware of the training opportunities available, would take advantage of such opportunities, especially MHFA and QPR training. (See Goal 1). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A presentation providing an overview of the project will be presented at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) in September of 2022 detailing the history and results of the project. A statewide news release also highlighting the results of the project is planned for September 2022. An Iowa Public Radio interview by Dr. David brown will highlight the program, its results and its link to key farm and ranch stress assistance programs in September of 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The goal not reached was related to the number of Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) programs offered in local communities. At the time of this report, programs in Waterloo and Urbandale are being planned, with potential programs also being hosted in Hamilton County and another in Clinton County, Iowa. An additional opportunity during the next reporting period will be the development and publication of a farm stress resource packet in Spanish. Those county staff involved will be directed to provide consultations and publications to agribusinesses who serve or employ Spanish-speaking farm workers. The goal is to get hard-copy farm stress resources into the hands of those Spanish-speaking farm workers and their families in Iowa.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A. Goal 1: Fifteen subcontracted county extension staff members and one Iowa State University employed outreach coordinator were allocated to provide local outreach consultations and activities to those individuals engaged in farming and their advocates regarding available key stress assistance programs. Between September 1, 2021 and August 26, 2022, these staff provided 1,517 direct 1:1 consultations and 5,707 group consultations reviewing the key stress resources available to farmer, ranchers and their advocates. Individual contacts were made to veterinarian offices, cooperatives, banks and credit unions, certified public accountants, crop production services, Farm Service Agency offices, Farm Credit Service offices, local seed companies, farm implement dealers, school districts, livestock auctions, insurance companies, FFA advisors, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, local churches, local libraries, and many others. Group consultations were offered at Private Pesticide Applicator Meetings, Farmland Leasing Meetings, Annie's Project meetings, County Extension Council meetings, Rotary Clubs and many others. During these consultations, key stress assistance programs were reviewed. As found in the progress report related to a separate grant - USDA NIFA #2020-70028-32728, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach provided 16 youth and adult Mental Health First Aid programs to 230 participants. These participants were either engaged in production agriculture, supported farm youth and farm families, or were allies of agricultural producers (specifically agribusiness professionals, extension professionals, ministers, mental health providers or healthcare providers). Similarly, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offered 42 Question.Persuade.Refer. (QPR) suicide prevention gatekeeper training to 733 participants from the same general target audience. B. Goal 2: Four Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) facilitator trainings were held targeting Individuals engaged in farming and their advocates. Two program were provided in Ames, one in Cedar Rapids, and one in Waterloo, Iowa. Twenty-nine new SFP 10-14 facilitators were certified. Clinton County Extension staff hosted a SFP 10-14 program for local families in DeWitt, Iowa. Four adults and seven youth completed the program. C. Goal 3: Two farm resource publications were developed that included information on how to access Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO) stress assistance and family finance programming. One document, titled, Stress on the Farm: A Resource for farmers, Families and Communities, was directed toward farmers, family members and community members. The second publication titled Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates, targeted agribusinesses and those agencies supporting farmers and their families. Between September 1, 2021 and August 23, 2022, 23,770 of these hard copy publications were provided to those individuals engaged in farming and their advocates during or following these outreach consultations and activities.Entities, such as the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, requested large supplies for their personnel to distribute. Quantities were also shared with such groups as the Iowa Turkey Federation, Easter Seals Iowa and the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. Electronic versions of the document were also placed on the National Turkey Federation website. The Iowa Poultry Association also shared the documents electronically with all of their members. D. Other A very preliminary follow-up survey was also offered to some of the agribusiness staff who received the farm stress resource packets. This survey will be provided during the following year. A sampling of questions included: After reviewing the "Stress on the Farm" resource packet, I am more likely to contact the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 27% said they were more likely to contact Iowa Concern; 18% noted they were more likely to contact Teenline; 9% indicated they were more likely to contact Healthy Families; 9% said they were more likely to contact Iowa 211; and 18% reported none of the above. After receiving the "Stress on the Farm" resource packet, I am more likely to utilize one of the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 25% said they were more likely to utilize Iowa Farm Bureau-Stress and Mental Health; 19% noted they were more likely to utilize Question.Persuade.Refer (QPR); 19% indicated they were more likely to utilize Farm Wellness Alliance; 12.5% said they were more likely to utilize financial education consultation;12.5% indicated they were more likely to utilize ISU Farm Financial Planning; 6% said they were more likely to utilize North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center; and 6% said none of these. After reviewing the "Stress on the Farm" resource packet, I am more knowledgeable about how to contact a behavioral health or substance use provider. Of the participants completing the survey: 29% strongly agreed; 57% agreed; and 14% indicated they neither agreed nor disagreed. After reading the "Farm Stress and Mental Health" factsheet, I am more likely to contact one of the following resources. Of the participants completing the survey: 30% said they were more likely to contact Iowa Concern; 30% noted they were more likely to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; 20% indicated they were more likely to contact Your Life Iowa; and 10% reported none of the above.
Publications
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