Personal & Family Well-Being
Farm Stress Management & Resilience Project
The Farm Stress Management & Resilience Project provides educational opportunities that support rural communities and those working in agriculture. The purpose of these offerings is to surround farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture workers with community members who recognize the unique stressors and challenges of working in agriculture. By building understanding, competency, and knowledge of available resources, we strengthen families, communities, and the state of Arkansas.
Available Programs
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training
QPR suicide prevention training is a 1 to 2 hour training geared toward all audiences. The general training offers information about red flag behaviors that indicate that a person may be thinking about suicide. This training can be modified for farmers and is a great tool for anyone who works with this population including people in the lending or corporate sectors. This training can be presented in person or online with a maximum enrollment of 35 per session. Please contact Dr. Brittney Schrick at bschrick@uada.edu or complete the form below for more information or to schedule a training.
Managing Farm Stress and Pursuing Wellness - 1 hour program
This program is offered face-to-face by your local county extension agent. The program
takes approximately one hour, and aims to meet the following objectives:
- Increase awareness of rural stress issues and warning signs of stress challenges.
- Explore key stress issues and communicate about steps in managing stress.
- Identify and apply useful coping methods for responding to stress and improving wellness.
- Identify and access available resources and sources of support.
Additional brief lessons of approximately 15 minutes may be presented in conjunction with the full program or in shorter opportunities such as community or production meetings on the following topics:
- Depression
- Suicide Prevention
- Cultivating a Productive Mindset
To request or host a presentation of the Farm Stress program for a group in your county, please contact your county Family and Consumer Sciences agent.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training for anyone who wants to learn more in-depth information about how to respond to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. This training can be delivered face-to-face, virtually, or in a hybrid online and face-to-face format. The group size is limited to 35, and requires at least 4 weeks' notice for scheduling.
Interested in scheduling a training?
Please contact Dr. Brittney Schrick at bschrick@uada.edu or complete the form below for more information or to schedule a training.
Click hereto request information about these programs!
If you or someone you know is in crisis, 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
- Thoughts of suicide
- Mental health or substance use crisis, or
- Any other kind of emotion distress
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Living Resourcefully to Strengthen Farm Households
Farm and ranch income can be unpredictable. Weather, prices, crop yields, and other factors can stress household income for farm families. In times of income loss, take charge of aspects that are in your control. The fact sheet, Living Resourcefully, has tips to help you downsize spending, talk with creditors, and utilize available resources.
Resources
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture strengthens agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Arkansas Extension Life Skills and Wellness programs empower individuals and families to thrive. Extension affords Arkansans immediate and timely access to cutting-edge, reliable, unbiased information to develop critical life skills in health, nutrition, family life, and personal finance.
Agriculture Resources
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service farm and ranch information and resources.
Agricultural Finance, Tax, and Asset Protection Program (AgFTAP) – AgFTAP is an electronic repository of resources for farmers, ranchers, and educators to enhance financial literacy and business decisions for their operations. The online portal contains various resources from basic financial literacy to heirs property. Online courses and local state contacts are also available. To learn more, please read the AgFTAP 101 Factsheet. This initiative is led by the University of Arkansas and University of Minnesota.
USDA – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loan Assistance Tool – This online web portal serves as the one-stop shop for all FSA Farm Loan Program resources. FSA borrowers can take the self-guided Farm Loan Quiz to help determine eligibility and even apply for a farm loan online. For more information, visit The Loan Assistance Tool or The Structure of the USDA-FSA Farm Loan Program.
Managing Farm Family Finances: Ag Decision Maker - This comprehensive resource from Iowa State University provides budget template resources and questions to ask when operating on a tight budget.
Natural Resource Enterprises (NRE) provides resources and information to landowners seeking ways to supplement income from their land through outdoor recreational businesses such as agritourism operations, hunting leases, nature trails, as well as wildlife management guides. It offers videos, articles, and holds workshops to assist landowners with businesses.
Arkansas Profit and Loss Calculator – An online web application for farmers to develop price, yield, and marketing strategy targets that help to improve financial planning and on-farm decision making.
Employment Resources
Arkansas Workforce Centers offer job search assistance, résumé writing, labor market information, job fairs, and information on training programs.
Food and Nutrition Resources
SNAP - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
WIC – The Women, Infants, and Children program, a federally funded initiative that provides free nutritious foods, nutrition education, and referrals to health care services for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five.
Food Banks and Food Pantries
- Arkansas Foodbank: Serves central, southeast, and south-central Arkansas. Find locations or use their texting service by texting “FINDFOOD” to 844-381-FOOD.
- Northwest Arkansas Food Bank: Has a website with a map or list to help you find pantries in its region.
- River Valley Food Bank: Provides a map or list on its website.
- Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas: Serves northeast Arkansas and has a website with information on its partners and locations.
- Harvest Regional Food Bank: Serves southwest Arkansas.
- Food Bank of North Central Arkansas: Serves the north central part of the state.
School meals - In Arkansas, free or reduced-price lunches are available to eligible students based on household income. Check with your child’s school for an application.
Legal Resources
Arkansas Legal Aid - Legal Aid is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that provides free information and some free legal services.
Arkansas Law Help - Provides free legal information and resources.
Arkansas Bar Association – Find an attorney by type of practice or location.
The National Agricultural Law Center – The leading source of agricultural and food law research and information. The Center is part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Medical and Health Resources
Children’s Health Insurance - ARKids First is a health insurance program for children in Arkansas. It is designed to provide affordable health insurance to families who may not have access to other insurance options.
Fitness – It’s important to maintain health during times of stress. Physical activity doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Run, walk, hike, do body-weight exercise at home, jump rope, use public facilities for basketball or tennis. Check local community centers for free or low-cost programs in your area.
The Farm Stress Management & Resilience Project provides educational opportunities that support rural communities and those working in agriculture. The purpose of these offerings is to connect farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture workers with community members who recognize the unique stressors and challenges of working in agriculture.
Crisis Lifeline - If you notice changes in behavior in someone experiencing stress or if you are experiencing thoughts of hopelessness, helplessness, or suicide, it is important to reach out. You can call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number at any time to talk to a trained crisis counselor. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.