July 11, 2024 ····· ··············································Vol. 1, Issue 9

Farmer Advisory Groups

The Southern Ag Exchange Network relies on a variety of professionals and researchers across the region who bring their expertise in sociology, mental health, and other disciplines to the task of addressing farm and ranch stress. But if those experts are the only ones at the table, a crucial voice is missing from the conversation: that of the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers.

Including the perspectives of the farmers themselves and soliciting their feedback is the goal of a pilot program conceived by Dr. Andy Smolski, SAgE’s director of applied research. Starting last December, the inaugural SAgE Farmer Advisory Committee consisted of a small group of farmers in North Carolina.

In return for a commitment of about five hours per three-month period, the members of the committee were offered an honorarium of $500 every quarter, for a total of $1500 over 9 months, which ends next month.

The program’s stated goals were threefold:

To act as a direct form of representation for the main audience of SAgE
To support outreach and participation in workshops, trainings, and applied research
To give input in the application for the next round of Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) funding from USDA-NIFA.

Illustration by Matt Stevens

SAgE Resources

The SAgE resource database is at the heart of what we do as we focus on alleviating farm stressors on a variety of fronts—from health care, to animal care, crops to cash flow, tax guidance, finances, and much more. Our resources team is hard at work adding new resources all the time. Don't see your state listed here? Keep your eye on this space, or head to our website. If you’d like to recommend a resource, you can do that here.

Submit Resources Here

SAgE Webinars

The SAgE Applied Research Webinar Series brings in researchers, practitioners, and farmers to discuss topics important for understanding and addressing farm stress.

Climate Change and Farmer Mental Health:

A Participatory and Systems-Based Approach

Presenter: Christopher Weatherly, Associate Professor, University of Georgia School of Social Work

Date: July 17th, 2024

Time: 12:00 p.m. EST

Because of their closeness to and dependence on the land, climate change will disproportionately impact farmer mental health. Despite local and global reliance on US farmers' health and wellbeing, there are limited studies elucidating the impacts of our changing climate on their mental health. This webinar will highlight a research project where Dr. Weatherly spoke with both farmers and the mental health providers that serve them about the various cultural and structural factors underlying the relationship between climate change and farmer mental health. The project took place in southeast Iowa, and findings add to our understanding of climate change as a stress multiplier for farmers. This project also provides insight into best practices for approaching farmers on the topics of both climate change and mental health.

Affirming Black Farmers: A Journey of Resilience and Assets through Appreciative Inquiry

Presenters: Elisabeth Ramsey, Doctoral Candidate, NCSU; Dr. Cathy Royal and Dorathy Barker, Operation Spring Plant

Date: August 1, 2024

Time: 12:00 p.m. Eastern

The strength and resilience of Black farmers is evident in the stories that voice their authentic sense of empowerment. This webinar shares the results of an asset mapping workshop conducted in collaboration with a Black farmer-led organization to understand the qualitative conditions sustaining the Black farming community. The overarching themes from this group share-out included community ethics, land sovereignty, spirituality, endurance, and farming heritage. The results of the activity yielded a new awareness of the identified resources’ impact and contribution to success, including the importance of direct contact, case management, affordability, and accessibility. By utilizing an Appreciative Inquiry approach, the workshop provided a platform for Black farmers to share their experiences, leading to a deeper understanding of the strategies needed to ensure their continued success and sustainability in agriculture.

Opportunities Across the Region

SAgE-VI is accepting applications for its first Farmer Support Cohort! Applications are open now until August 1st. Visit our website for more information or reach out to us at vi@southernagexchange.org with questions or for assistance.

The AgriProspects Workforce Development Network announces Round 1 of mini-grant funding aimed at developing agriculture focused workforce development capacity for adults within the Cooperative Extension System. All Land-Grant Colleges & Universities, regardless of membership status with the Extension Foundation, are invited to apply for mini-grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for projects spanning up to two years. Click here to read the release.

Apply here

News from the Ag World

Farmers Gather in Guntersville, GA, to Discuss Farm Bill

Farmers fighting for a fairer farm bill gathered in Guntersville recently to discuss agriculture policies and urge Congress to approve legislation giving power back to producers.

The event was part of the Enough is Enough Tour, which has held similar meetings in other states to give farmers and ranchers a voice in calling for an end to government policies that favor the largest food industry giants.

Who’s a Good Boy? Is Your Dog a Candidate for Farm Dog of the Year?

For Laura and Donald Adams, having their farm dog Skippy, the reigning Farm Dog of the Year, has been transformative. After an accident left Donald paralyzed from the neck down, Skippy’s help has allowed Donald to continue to manage the farm and cattle.

“It’s pretty straightforward. It’s a dog that’s a great helper on the farm,” said Cyndie Shearing, a spokesperson for the Farm Bureau said in an interview.

Ranchers Use Adaptive Grazing to Restore Soil Health

Ten years have passed since Meredith Ellis gave up a landscaping career to take over managing her family’s cattle ranch, the G Bar C Ranch near Rosston, Texas, northwest of Dallas. “I realized that what my dad had been doing for years by protecting our 3,000-acre ranch was critical to our future as a society,” she says. “I realized that the most impactful thing I could do was to go home and become a rancher, just like my dad.”

Photo: Gil Gullickson

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