By Becky McKendry

The conditions can be harsh, the profit margins can be slim and the work can be dangerous.

Farming is stressful work. That’s why for the past several years, Michigan State University Extension has been building a suite of resources to help agribusiness professionals and their families deal with stress.

Now, MSU Extension is launching the latest addition to the farm stress toolbox: "Bury Seeds, Not Stress," a free, four-part webinar series open to all. 

Taught by MSU Extension educators, the webinars are geared primarily toward farmers, their families and agriculture industry professionals. The sessions will take place throughout September, which coincides with National Suicide Prevention Month. Because of the nature of their profession, farmers are at a higher risk of suicide than other professions.

“Research shows that helping people understand the signs of stress in others and how to communicate with people under stress is an effective suicide prevention approach,” says Cheryl Eschbach, director of MSU Extension’s health and nutrition initiatives. “Trainings like this help empower people to speak up and get help to others when they see the need.”

To date, MSU Extension has created several different resources to help with farm stress — including fact sheets; online, on-demand trainings; and events such as the Farm Stress Management Summit, which was attended by participants from 23 different states. MSU Extension also has launched a pilot text message program for farmers.

“We offer several ways to access resources, so that people can get what they need, when they need it,” Eschbach says.

The effect of this outreach is notable. For example, 91% of participants in farm stress trainings report that they have learned to recognize signs of suicide, depression and mental illness.

The effect is not only clear for farming professionals and their families. It’s also meaningful to the educators leading these efforts.

“I feel strongly that my participation in this webinar series is a way to give back to a community that touches us all — a community we depend on in so many ways,” says MSU Extension educator Shannon Lindquist, who will be teaching the first session of the series. “If the information I share helps one person, it’s time well spent on my part.”

The webinar schedule is as follows:

You can register for the webinars at the “Bury Seeds, Not Stress” web page.

For information, visit msue.msu.edu. To contact an expert in your area, visit expert.msue.msu.edu or call 888-678-3464.

McKendry is the MSU Extension health and nutrition communications manager.

Source: Michigan State University Extension, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.