Tennessee

TN AgrAbility is a part of the Southern Farm Ranch and Stress Assistance Network (S-FRSAN three-year grant with Family and Consumer Sciences at UTIA) which has been rebranded as SAgE (Southern Ag Exchange Network). TNAP staff participated in the Regional SAgE planning workshop followed by the TN Farm Stress Summit hosted by TN Department of Ag and SAgE. The summit was held to connect TN partners and resources to help keep farmers safe - both mental and physical health- connecting them to resources for support and to help mitigate stress. Thanks to a great panel of farmers, health care professionals, and economists who talked about stressors farmers face. Dr. Cheryl Dean-Witt, Louisville, KY, ag nurse and farmer, shared the program "KY Raising Hope" that works to support healthy lives on KY farms and provides a message of hope.

Tennessee is working to stop the stigma associated with the idea of talking about mental health. Everyone should keep in mind the importance of checking on family, friends, neighbors, and self. In the farming community, most people will drop what they are doing to help a neighbor, whether they need physical help or emotional stability. Many times, people are reluctant to seek help; but that is not a sign of weakness; rather it shows strength. Thank you to the sponsors for making mental and physical health of ag producers a priority and helping the summit to be successful!

Congratulation to Rebecca Brightwell, Kyle Haney, and all the conference organizers with Farm Again GA, conducting the virtual inaugural AgrileadHER(tm). This was a fantastic two days of powerful, strong women speakers for the Women in Ag Conference. The Southern Ag Exchange Network (SAgE) was one of the interactive education booths plus National AgrAbility and National FVC. The AgriLeadHER Conference highlighted women's leadership, mentorship, and skill development.

TNAP exhibited at the Steak and Potatoes Field Day at the Plateau AgResearch & Education Center in Crossville with the Farmer Veteran Coalition of TN. The field day covered topics of interest to beef cattle producers, fruit and vegetable producers interested in acorn squash varieties and the vegetable trials held at the center, and a scenic and educational wagon tour of the research center for all participants.

TN AgrAbility helped promote a new resource tool for TN farmers: the UT Center of Farm Management. This center has a dedicated purpose of enhancing the long-term profitability and sustainability of agricultural enterprises in the state and across the Southeast. The Center will integrate established Institute programs and responsively develop new ones to meet the needs of Tennessee producers. The series "Farm Management During Uncertain Times" is a recorded sequence of "town-hall meetings" as well as a library or recorded videos that producers can access at any time. The goal of this series is to provide resources and information to help producers make informed decisions as they navigate the uncertainty of drought, rising interest rates, and other current events. The series is free and accessible to any producer interested.

TNAP presented AgrAbility to an Extension informational meeting about the upcoming "2023 Master Farm Family Health and Wellness Program." The Master Farm Family Health and Wellness Program (MFFHWP) is in its 2nd year for farm families and is supported by TDA for farmers to be eligible for 50% cost share with many of the TN Ag Enhancement (TAEP) programs. TNAP provided an orientation to the Farm Family Health & Wellness Program for Extension agents interested in offering the program in their counties.

TNAP promoted "AgriStress Response: QPR for Farmers and Farm Families". QPR training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade, and Refer. This important training, like CPR, saves lives.

A Lawrence County farmer received two extra steps with handrails for his John Deere tractors with assistance to help offset the cost from TN Farm Bureau Health Plan and TN AgrAbility. "If you hadn't been so friendly at the TN Farm Bureau annual meeting and continued talking with me and my wife, I would have never told you about my prosthesis. Us farm people have connection and I will be glad to call you my friend." (Quote from a TN AgrAbility farmer.) This is what AgrAbility's job is all about!

Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, and Tipton Counties participated in the TN Grain Bin Safety/Rescue Awareness Training. The classroom portion was held at the Millsfield Fire Department in Dyersburg ,TN, and the hands-on was held on Meadows Farm in Halls, TN. There were 47-plus in attendance. Each county represented received three Turtle Plastics Tubes sponsored by Cargill.
Submitted by TN AgrAbility