Online program to cover stress strategies

     Farming can be stressful in the best of times. Financial worries, unpredictable weather, unpredictable commodity prices, plant pests, livestock diseases and isolation all contribute to farmers’ anxiety. And now Iowa’s rural communities and families are coping with the unpredictability and imposed isolation produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

     In response to this additional stress, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in collaboration with COVID Recovery Iowa, will offer eight online “Stress on the Farm: Strategies That Help” programs July 15 through Aug. 5, said David Brown, behavioral health specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

     “Given the anxiety produced by the COVID pandemic, we all need to be more aware of the signs of stress, not only for ourselves, but also so we can direct others to assistance,” Brown explained.

     ISU Extension and Outreach will offer Stress on the Farm: Strategies That Help during the lunch hour to meet the busy schedules of those in the agricultural community. Each program will last for one-half hour on Mondays and Wednesday, beginning at 12:30 p.m., on the following dates: July 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29; and Aug. 3 and 5.

     Agribusiness professionals, agriculture lenders and bankers, veterinarians, vet techs, commodity group members, producers and other concerned individuals can register at no cost for any of these programs. To register, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/stress-farm. Participants will receive a unique URL prior to the program to access the Zoom hosted program.

     For more information, feel free to contact David Brown at dnbrown@iastate.edu.

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