The Science of Stress
Breaking the Chronic Farm Stress Cycle
Contact Extension if you are interested in a comprehensive workshop focusing on the science of how stress affects the brain and how positive wellness practices can break the stress cycle. We discuss both acute and chronic stress; the impacts of chronic stress on health and decision making; and 7-10 positive steps and techniques that can be used to break the chronic stress cycle, including planning activities, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, etc.
Contact: John Shutske, Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist, shutske@wisc.edu
Taking Care of You
Taking Care of You is a multi-session program offering practical strategies and experiences to help you deal with the stress in your life. Managing life’s challenges in a healthy way allows you to take better care of yourself and your overall health. You will explore topics through small group discussion, self-reflections and activities. Program activities are aimed at increasing mindfulness, positive emotions, optimism, resiliency to stress, coping skills, and self-care of one’s mind, body, and spirit.
Contact: Lori Zierl, Pierce County UW Extension, lori.zierl@wisc.edu.
Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times
Extension educators can offer a presentation for agribusiness professionals and agency staff to help them better support farmers in challenging times.
Contact: Tina Kohlman, Fond du Lac County UW Extension, tina.kohlman@wisc.edu.
Mental Health First Aid
You can attend a full-day (8-hour) workshop led by trained Mental Health First Aid instructors. Participants learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of common conditions that manifest during times of high farm stress (depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide risk). The training provides skills to help community members reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be experiencing a crisis.
Contact: Contact your local Extension office or the Mental Health First Aid course directory to locate a workshop near you.
QPR – Question, Persuade, Respond
You can attend a training (in person or on-line) that can equip you to help someone in crisis using the framework “Question-Persuade-Refer.” Topics include: How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal; How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide; The common causes of suicidal behavior; The warning signs of suicide; and How to get help for someone in crisis.
A farmer version is available.
Contact: John Shutske, shutske@wisc.edu or Melissa Kono, melissa.kono@wisc.edu, or contact QPR directly at (888) 726-7926 to locate a qualified instructor near you.
Communication
Communicating with Farmers under Stress
Extension can offer a program (in 30, 60, and 180 minute formats) for agricultural service providers and rural community leaders to build awareness around the signs of stress, the conditions affecting farmers, and how to refer those under extreme stress to the proper resources.
Contact: Melissa melissa.kono@wisc.edu or Nancy Vance, nancy.vance@wisc.edu, Clark County UW-Extension
Talking with your Family about Financial Difficulties
This comprehensive website contains resources that help people make sound financial choices in tough times and is specific to personal family finance. It is designed to share proven resources used and/or developed by UW-Madison Division of Extension Financial Education professionals. All materials are free for personal use.
Contact: Peggy Olive Financial Capability Specialist, polive@wisc.edu
Farming After Dark
Extension can help facilitate an opportunity for farmers and spouses to de-stress for a few hours off the farm through fellowship, relationship and fun, while promoting the local agriculture industry. In a typical program, participants sample local agricultural fare while making new connections and relaxing in a neighborly environment.
Contact: Lori Wick, Lafayette County UW Extension, lori.wick@wisc.edu
Supporting Farmers During Challenging Times
Extension educators can offer a presentation for agribusiness professionals and agency staff to help them better support farmers in challenging times.
Contact: Tina Kohlman, Fond du Lac County UW Extension, tina.kohlman@wisc.edu.
Stress Management
Taking Care of You
Taking Care of You is a multi-session program offering practical strategies and experiences to help you deal with the stress in your life. Managing life’s challenges in a healthy way allows you to take better care of yourself and your overall health. You will explore topics through small group discussion, self-reflections and activities. Program activities are aimed at increasing mindfulness, positive emotions, optimism, resiliency to stress, coping skills, and self-care of one’s mind, body, and spirit.
Contact: Lori Zierl, Pierce County UW Extension, lori.zierl@wisc.edu
Resilient Farms & Families
Extension offers the Resilient Farms & Families program in response to the current state of the agricultural economy. The program is designed to build resiliency by connecting the agricultural community with education and resources to thrive in an ever-changing world. Resources are aimed at improving the mental, physical, emotional and financial well-being for producers, employees, and the agri-business community.
Contact: Green or Lafayette County UW Extension offices, Hayley.jordan@wisc.edu or Lori.wick@wisc.edu
Breaking the Chronic Farm Stress Cycle
Contact Extension to schedule a comprehensive workshop on stress (acute and chronic); impacts of chronic stress on health and decision making; and 7-10 positive steps and techniques to break the chronic stress cycle including planning activities, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, etc. Focuses on science of how stress affects the brain and how positive wellness practices can break the stress cycle.
Contact: John Shutske, Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist, shutske@wisc.edu
Mental Health First Aid
You can attend a full-day (8-hour) workshop led by trained Mental Health First Aid instructors. Participants learn to identify, understand and respond to signs of common conditions that manifest during times of high farm stress (depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide risk). The training provides skills to help community members reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be experiencing a crisis.
Contact: Contact your local Extension office or the Mental Health First Aid course directory to locate a workshop near you.
Your Farm Future
THRIVE Today for Tomorrow™
Extension offers this educational program that includes a curriculum and toolkit for farmers and ag professionals to “THRIVE” focusing on business, communication, and mental health.
Contact: Stephanie Plaster, Washington and Ozaukee County UW-Extension, stephanie.plaster@wisc.edu
Shifting Gears for Your Later Farming Years
Contact us to learn about how you can attend a retirement planning session for farmers in order to estimate your living needs and income streams. Participants will also consider what you will do with your time and consider estate planning options as you shift gears towards retirement.
Contact: Joy Kirkpatrick, Outreach Specialist for UW Center for Dairy Profitability, joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu
Your Farm Future: A Blueprint
Extension can provide blueprint to move your farm forward. It is intended for farmers interested in planning and preparing for the future of their business in the context of current challenging economic conditions. Farmers may need to further develop and/or re-evaluate the goals for their business, which may include additional family members, and better understanding of financial information.
Contact: Jenny Vanderlin, Associate Director, UW Center for Dairy Profitability, jenny.vanderlin@wisc.edu
Farming Your Finances
Working with a case farm, Extension offers this workshop series using instructor-led presentations and interactive classroom exercises, homework including YouTube review presentations, and pre- and post-quizzes of the material to assist in learning about farm financial management.
Contact: Sandy Stuttgen, Extension Taylor County, sandra.stuttgen@wisc.edu
Heart of the Farm
Heart of the Farm is a farm management and production education series for women to improve farm business decision-making. The goal is to address the needs of farm women by providing education on pertinent topics, connecting them with agricultural resources, and creating support networks.
Contact: Jenny Vanderlin, UW-Extension, UW Center for Dairy Profitability, jenny.vanderlin@wisc.edu
