Free Workshops On Stress And Farming

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will offer a series of workshops next week entitled "Down on the Farm:Supporting Farmers in Stressful Times. Theses free workshops are designed to help people who work with farmers on a regular basis to recognize and respond when they see farmers experiencing stress, anxiety or depression.

The workshops run three hours and will be held at 9:30AM and 1:30PM in our area at the Riverland College in Austin on Wednesday, February 21 and at South Central College in North Mankato on Thursday, February 22.

The main presenter will be Ted Matthews, a psychologist who has worked with farmers and farm families for more than 20 years. Other presenters will include Randy Willis of the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association, Michele Page from FSA and Meg Moynihan from the MDA.

Attendees will learn to recognize signs of mental and emotional distress and crisis. You can register and find out more at this MDA web site.