AFBF Offers a Free Online Farm Stress Training Program
Published
4/6/2020
With impacts from COVID-19 adding to depressed commodity prices, declining farm income, labor shortages and many other pressing issues, America’s farmers and ranchers are experiencing ever-increasing levels of stress. Understanding the urgent need to support farmers and ranchers during this difficult time, American Farm Bureau is offering an online farm stress training program to all state Farm Bureau members.
The Rural Resilience training was developed by Michigan State University Extension and is designed for individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to help recognize signs of stress and offer resources, but the program also provides value to anyone who is under stress with information on how to develop skills to:
- Understand the sources of stress,
- Identify effective communication strategies,
- Reduce stigma related to mental health; and
- Learn the warning signs of stress and suicide.
Any Farm Bureau member may register for the free online training here.
The timeline to complete the training sessions is estimated at 4-5 hours total, but once registered you can sign on and off and break the sessions into shorter segments.
If you have questions, please contact the AFBF Rural Stress Working Group at RuralResilience@fb.org.
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