From: Subject: Small Farm Digest - Fall 2000 Date: Fri, 7 May 2010 11:11:31 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://web.archive.org/web/20040821035901/www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/newsletters/smallfarmdigest/fall00.html X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 Small Farm Digest - Fall 2000

Small Farm Digest = is=20 published three times a year by the Cooperative State Research, = Education, and=20 Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), = Washington,=20 DC 20250-2220.

The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that = this=20 periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required = by=20 law.

Dan Glickman, = Secretary
U.S.=20 Department of Agriculture

Stephanie Olson, Editor=20 (202-401-6544)

I. Miley Gonzalez, Under=20 Secretary
Research, Education, and Economics =

Dave McAllister, Staff=20 Writer/Editor (202-720-7185)

Charles W. Laughlin,=20 Administrator
Cooperative State Research, = Education, and=20 Extension Service

Arabella Juarez, Art = Director=20 (202-720-4338)

Readers wishing to contribute items to Small Farm=20 Digest may send their submissions to Stephanie = Olson,=20 Editor, Small Farm Digest, CSREES, USDA, Mail Stop 2220, 1400 = Independence=20 Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-2220 (or call 202-401-6544; fax = 202-401-5179;=20 e-mail solson@reeusda.gov). Unless otherwise stated, information in = this=20 publication is public property and may be reprinted without = permission.=20

Reference to any commercial product or service is = made with=20 the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no = endorsement by the=20 U.S. Department of Agriculture is implied.

Small Farm = Digest is=20 available on the CSREES home page (www.reeusda.gov/smallfarm). =

Subscriptions to Small = Farm=20 Digest are available to the public at no charge. To = subscribe,=20 discontinue a subscription, or change an address, contact Small Farm = Program,=20 Plant and Animal Systems, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Mail = Stop=20 2220, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-2220 (or call = 202-401-4640 or 1-800-583-3071; fax 202-401-5179). For an address = change,=20 please include your Small Farm=20 Digest mailing label.

Small Farm Digest is printed with soy-based ink on paper = containing=20 a minimum of 50 percent waste paper. Small Farm Digest is=20 recyclable.

CSREES Small Farm Program=20 Staff

Denis Ebodaghe = National Program Leader
(202-401-4385 or debodaghe@reeusda.gov)

Enrique "Nelson" = Escobar=20 National Program Leader/IPA
(202-401-4900 or=20 eescobar@reeusda.gov)

Stephanie=20 Olson Editor, Small Farm=20 Digest
(202-401-6544 or solson@reeusda.gov)

William=20 Scott Office Automation Assistant=20
(202-401-4640 or wscott@reeusda.gov)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits = discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of = race, color,=20 national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, = sexual=20 orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases = apply to=20 all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means = for=20 communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, = etc.)=20 should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and=20 TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, = Director,=20 Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 = Independence Ave.,=20 SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). = USDA is an=20 equal opportunity provider and employer.

3D"blue=20

Managing = Farm Stress=20

During Crisis=20 Times

"We are one of thousands of family farmers across = the nation=20 who have chosen an agricultural way of life and done everything right, = yet are=20 facing a huge financial and emotional dilemma," says New York farmer = Chalene=20 Fleming.

 

CAPTION: After Sarah Jane and Paul Vitale = (left and=20 center), Auburn, NY, lost their barn to a fire in 1998, they turned to = Russell=20 Hodnett (right), a financial consultant with Cornell University's NY = FarmNet=20 Outreach Program, for advice on rebuilding . The Vitales decided on a = new=20 labor-efficient flat barn parlor design after Hodnett worked up their=20 financial picture and a cash flow plan.=97Photo by Donald R. Hodnett. = See full=20 story below.

"Our every financial resource has been tapped, cash = flow is=20 poor, and my husband and I are screaming at each other our = frustrations and=20 anxieties, while venting our concerns about the present and=20 future."

"Farmers must rise to nature's daily challenges, = taking in=20 stride floods, droughts, and climactic changes, demands of juggling = family and=20 farm, market shifts, and the pressures of large, corporate suppliers = who can=20 produce it 'faster and cheaper.' It's a daily struggle to try to stay = on the=20 cutting edge of what is new, has changed, and is coming.

"We are resourceful people who are proud of what we = do, but=20 we're asking these days, 'Where do we go from here?', 'Who can help = us?', and=20 'How do we survive in the interim?'"

The current farm crisis has made farming a hard, = stressful=20 business in every state. Yet farmers continue to work hard while = knowing they=20 can do little against the financial pressures caused by outside = forces. Many=20 are delaying purchases, leaving bills unpaid, and even losing their = farms=20 through no fault of their own.

Stress defined.=20 Stress is physical or emotional tension. It's a = reaction=20 to situations or circumstances that seem unfamiliar, threatening, or = harmful.=20

Major life events or many small daily hassles can = trigger=20 stress. Everyone responds differently to it. A moderate amount of = stress can=20 prompt needed action. However, severe or prolonged stressful events = can lead=20 to physical or mental health problems, substance abuse, and = interpersonal=20 strain.

Farm = stress.=20 Farm family stress is unique because it is due, in large part, to = forces no=20 one has control over =96 like weather or shifting markets. Yet farmers = and=20 ranchers tend to blame themselves when their crops fail or their = livestock is=20 wiped out. Stress also makes farmers more accident-prone.

When things go well, a farmer feels that he or she = has been=20 successful. When things go wrong, the loss can feel like a family=20 death.

Farmers and ranchers tend not to complain about bad = things=20 that happen to them. They believe in being strong, independent, stoic, = and=20 moral =96 and in handling problems themselves.

Within farm culture, there is reluctance to air = problems=20 outside the family or to seek professional help for mental health = problems.=20 While farm families can often bounce back from most stresses, = extraordinary=20 situations may require outside help.

When migrant workers traveled last year to harvest = in states=20 affected by citrus freeze or drought, they found no crop to harvest. = There was=20 no work, wages, or housing. Worker stress was high as they became = stranded far=20 from home, returning without pay. Workers may hesitate to travel again = unless=20 they know that work exists. If farmers lose this traditional labor = force, it=20 will strain the larger agricultural system.

Recognizing=20 stress. People who work with farmers =96 such as = extension=20 specialists, farm advocates, pastors, family doctors, bankers, = veterinarians,=20 agribusiness people, and others =96 need to understand farm=20 stressors.

According to extension researchers, = the top 30=20 farm-related stressors are:

Physical signs of = stress=20 overload. Sustained stress, life crisis, = exhaustion, and=20 demoralization may cause physical symptoms like depression, anxiety, = suicidal=20 thoughts; headaches; sleep or appetite problems; chronic fatigue; = frequent=20 sickness; poor concentration; heart disease; ulcers; cancer; = gastrointestinal=20 or bladder problems; immune system disorders; obesity; hair loss; = muscle=20 twitches; or backaches.

Behavioral signs of = stress=20 overload. Stress strains relationships. Stress = symptoms=20 include atypical, uncontrollable, and irrational behavior; = irritability;=20 violence or abuse toward family members or animals; loss of interest = and=20 withdrawal from family or community events; repeated irrational or = normal=20 activity at irrational rate. Also, passive aggressiveness; = self-destructive=20 behavior; talk of suicide; excessive drinking; being more emotional;=20 difficulty concentrating and making decisions; accident proneness; and = feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, or failure.

Farmer Suicide.=20 "Farmer suicide is an international calamity, = not just=20 an individual problem," says Kentucky filmmaker Joe Terrance Gray in = his=20 compelling documentary, "Green Blood, Red Tears."

Gray investigated farmer suicide causes after his = farmer=20 nephew, James Gray Goodman, killed himself in 1995, stunning his = family and=20 community. "Farmer suicide spans mid-America and is often misreported = as=20 hunting, traffic, or stalled truck on railroad accidents," says Gray. = "Farmers=20 are far more likely than are other workers to commit suicide, = especially in=20 the Midwest. There is not enough talk about farmer suicide." Gray's film aims to open up that dialogue. =

American and European scientists offer convincing = evidence of=20 a link between organophosphate exposure among farmers and symptoms = such as=20 depression and suicidal thoughts.

Most physicians are not trained to identify toxic = chemical=20 exposure symptoms in patients. When traditional anti-depressant = medication is=20 prescribed for depression among poisoned patients, suicidal thoughts = may=20 increase. Gray's nephew reported headaches, numb hands, troubled = sleep, and=20 depression after using chemicals in crop spraying.

Dr. Lorann Stallones, Professor, Department of = Environmental=20 Health, Colorado State University, has studied farmer suicide rates in = Kentucky and Colorado.

"Gray's film introduces research never linked = together=20 before," she says. "When farmers experience depressive symptoms, it is = critical that they tell their physicians the specific chemicals they = use.=20

"Physicians working with farmers exposed to = organophosphate=20 chemicals should monitor these patients when they prescribe standard=20 anti-depression medications," she adds.

"Immediate symptoms of acute poisoning can be = detected, but=20 it is difficult for many doctors to correlate symptoms with low-level, = long-term exposure. Vague symptoms of chronic exposure are more likely = to be=20 recognized by occupational medicine physicians.

"Many farmers do not wear adequate protective = clothing when=20 working with pesticides and herbicides. We want to get the message out = that=20 they need protection."

Extension agents and state pesticide applicator = training=20 program coordinators teach safe pesticide application = procedures.

Other organophosphate exposure symptoms include = exhaustion,=20 weakness, numbness, confusion, dizziness, blurred and dark vision, = cold=20 sweating, salivating, watery eyes, stuffy or runny nose, twitching = eyelids and=20 tongue, vomiting, cramp-like abdominal pain, diarrhea, difficulty = breathing,=20 and chest tightness.

Disasters. = Disaster=20 victims may express disbelief, anger, sadness, anxiety, and depression = afterwards. Children need extra attention, love, support, and=20 reassurance.

Farm Deaths.=20 Farm deaths can happen suddenly and = unexpectedly.=20 Feelings of numbness, sadness, depression, anger, fear, emptiness, = aching,=20 hopelessness, and low energy are natural reactions.

A minister or grief counselor can help. A hug, = knowing look,=20 touch, praying together, or making a sacred memorial spot on the farm = to honor=20 the individual can mean a lot. Grief is a natural healing process that = lessens=20 over time.

Some Signs a Farm = Family Needs=20 Support:

Managing Stress.=20 Ways to manage stress need not be expensive: =

Managing Risk.=20 Financial stress immobilizes people. A financial = analysis of your operation by a farm business association or other = expert can=20 pinpoint strengths and weaknesses.

Software programs designed specifically for = agriculture, like=20 FarmWin, jointly developed by Sunrise Software, farmers, and USDA's=20 Agricultural Research Service, offer farmers a tool to maintain their = own=20 accurate farm records.

Farms vary in their ability to weather shocks, as = operations=20 vary widely with enterprise mix, financial situations, and business = and=20 household characteristics. Managing risk involves combining farm = activities to=20 maximize return at a manageable level of risk.

A risk management strategy might include enterprise = diversification, vertical integration, production contracts, crop = yield and=20 crop revenue insurance, or off-farm jobs.

Fiscal skills are critical. Successful farmers may = not=20 produce more than neighbors but manage resources well and make money = on cost=20 efficiencies. They carefully watch inputs and family costs, purchasing = a new=20 part or equipment only when absolutely necessary.

Survival may not be possible in severely stressed = farm=20 businesses. Financial advisors can help farmers determine if the farm = business=20 can survive with operating changes and restructured assets or debts, = whether=20 cash flow is sufficient for the long term, or if resources warrant=20 expansion.

Helping a Farmer Friend = in=20 Crisis. People in crisis need someone to really listen = so that=20 they can tell what is happening and affirm the difficulty of the = situation.=20

Be available, give full attention, make eye = contact, and=20 focus on what a person is saying with their face, eyes, voice, body, = words,=20 and feelings, more than their story. Give them ample time to = talk.

Don't protect people in crisis from reality. People = need to=20 learn the truth. Give accurate information, even if it is negative.=20

It makes sense to most people to focus their energy = on=20 predictable life factors. Help farmers identify their major stressors = and=20 develop a plan to minimize effects. Ask them to specify symptoms. = Brainstorm=20 about solutions. Watch and listen for potential suicide behaviors like = giving=20 away cherished possessions or voicing suicidal thoughts.

Familiarize yourself with community mental health = resources=20 to offer options. Urge professional help if needed. Offer to contact = the=20 professional and accompany the person to an appointment. Follow up to = show you=20 really care.

Community=20 Resources. Community mental health, medical, = churches=20 and archdiocesan centers; county extension, rural health, Salvation = Army, and=20 department of health and human services field offices; and community = food=20 banks are sources of counseling help.

INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND=20 APPROACHES

SELECT WEBSITE = RESOURCES

Risk management information and farmer success = stories from=20 USDA's Risk Management Agency.

Farming as a stressful occupation and family = relationship=20 fact sheets available from Colorado State University (click on = "CoopExt" and=20 then "Consumer" and "Family-Relationship").

"The Taking Charge in Challenging Times" program = and=20 publication from Clemson University.

Stress and disaster management links from North = Carolina=20 State University.

  • www.extension.umn.= edu/ruralresponse=20

Families and youth, farm management and farm = financial=20 planning, and stress and change management information from the = University of=20 Minnesota.

  • www.ces.pu= rdue.edu/agtransition/family.html=20

See managing stress series called "Charting a = Course for the=20 Family Farm" from Purdue University.

SELECT FARMER HELP = LINES=20

  • National Suicide Hopeline Network - = 1-800-SUICIDE=20 (1-800-784-2433). Connects to staff skilled in helping = farmers and=20 ranchers within network of 100 crisis centers.=20
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline =96 = 1-800-799-SAFE=20 (1-800-799-7233)
  • National Pesticide Telecommunication Network for = Consumer=20 and Medical Information on Pesticides - 1-800-858-7378=20
  • Pesticide Accident Hotline (CHEMTREC) (help with = spills=20 and leaks) - 1-800-424-9300=20
  • National Insure Kids Now Hotline for free or = low-cost=20 health coverage for children in working families - = 1-877-KIDS-NOW=20
  • Alabama - 1-800-642-7761=20
  • Idaho =96 1-877-862-5870
  • Illinois - 1-800-851-4719 & = 1-800-468-1834=20
  • Indiana - 1-800-545-2296=20
  • Iowa Concerns Hotline - 1-800-447-1985 = (in-state);=20 515-965-9301 (out-of-state)=20
  • Iowa Teen Hotline - 1-800-443-8336; TTY - = 1-800-735-2942;=20 Healthy Families - 1-800-369-2229=20
  • Kansas - 1-800-321-3276; 785-532-6958 = (in-state)=20
  • Louisiana - 225-388-4141 (Gerald Giesler or Raye = Neely)=20
  • Maryland Farm Sense = Mediation=20 Program - 1-800/492-5597 in state; 410/841-5770 = out of=20 state=20
  • Minnesota Farm Advocate Program - 1-800-967-2474 = (in-state); 651-296-1484 (out-of-state); Minnesota - Rural Crisis -=20 1-800-555-6566; 1-800-363-3659=20
  • Missouri =96 1-800-363-3659; 573-681-5549 = (mediation);=20 573-449-1336 (Rural Crisis Center)=20
  • Nebraska - 1-800-464-0258 (in-state); = 402-864-5578=20 (out-of-state). Farm Mediation Service - 1-800-446-4071=20
  • New Hampshire - 603-271-3551 (mediation)=20
  • New Jersey - 732-932-9171, ext. 253 (Robin=20 Brumfield)=20
  • New York - 1-800-547-3276=20
  • North Dakota - 1-800-472-2911; 1-800-642-4752 = (in-state);=20 701-328-4769 (out-of-state)=20
  • Oklahoma =96 1-800-248-5465 (mediation)=20
  • South Dakota - 1-800-691-4336; 1-800-228-5254 = (in-state);=20 605-773-5436 (out-of-state)=20
  • Tennessee - 1-800-345-0561=20
  • West Virginia - 1-800-851-4719=20
  • Wisconsin - 1-800-942-2474=20
  • Wyoming - 307-766-5133 (Alan Schroeder) =

A Model Mental Health Crisis =

Outreach Program for=20 Farmers

Because he grew up on a farm, Roger W. Hannan knows = the=20 fierce pride and independent nature of farmers that make them resist = seeking=20 and accepting help from traditional office and fee-based mental health = services.

While directing a community mental health center = during the=20 1980's Farm Crisis, Hannan saw that the traditional mental health = delivery=20 system was not reaching farmers. Program providers did not = understand=20 the unique characteristics and special needs of rural families facing = serious=20 crises.

Programs did not take farm culture into account. He = envisioned a mental health service outreach program that used = culturally=20 sensitive workers with farm backgrounds to do outreach.

In 1985, Hannan founded the non-profit Farm = Resource Center=20 to take mental health delivery back to a community setting. Extension = agents,=20 rural ministers, farm lenders, and community mental health and Farm = Bureau=20 professionals provided ideas.

Paid outreach workers with farm backgrounds, warmth = with=20 people, and crisis and suicide intervention training go to farmers' = homes,=20 devoting 3 hours for counseling. The kitchen table =96 a safe, = familiar place=20 for difficult discussions among farm families =96 is often the meeting = spot.=20

Coming into the home setting, workers can observe = the family=20 and assess what help is needed. The whole family participates with the = outreach worker to develop a 10-week action plan with goals, = objectives, and=20 timeframes. The family-focused program treats all family members, not = just the=20 one experiencing a problem.

Workers do not compete with community mental health = centers=20 and service provider agencies but instead work in partnership, making=20 treatment referrals as situations warrant. They come supplied with = county=20 resource manuals and connect clients with help if they are too = distressed to=20 make contacts themselves.

"Entire rural communities in America are being = phased out as=20 America's agriculture structure changes. Many rural farm families feel = nobody=20 is noticing," says Hannan. "Factory farms with corporate land holdings = are=20 capturing the business of producing food and fiber for American and = overseas=20 customers."

Workers are sensitive to the frustrations and = feelings of=20 hopelessness that at-risk farm families display.

"Personal, emotional, and stress issues are = becoming more=20 intense and widespread as farm families suffer family life disruption, = community and sometimes farm displacement, and loss of their = occupation and=20 way of life. Families forced to leave the farm may still suffer = depression 10=20 years later, even if doing better financially," says Hannan. =

"Those who work with farm families must understand = that farm=20 culture creates in individuals responses to situations that may differ = vastly=20 from the non-farm community."

This model program began in Illinois and has spread = to West=20 Virginia and Pennsylvania. The Center offers clients confidentiality, = a hot=20 line, and a database to analyze their needs. Other states have = inquired about=20 setting up similar programs. For information, contact Roger Hannan, = Executive=20 Director, Farm Resource Center, 226 Main Street, PO Box 87, Mound = City, IL=20 62963 (phone 618-718-9623; crisis hot line: 800-851-4719).

 

YOUR SMALL FARM = NEIGHBORS

PAUL AND SARAH JANE VITALE=20
Auburn, New = York

Paul and Sarah Jane Vitale, who operate a 300-acre = dairy farm=20 in central New York, lost their dairy barn in just an hour to an = electrical=20 fire in 1998. Luckily, most cows had been let out of the barn just = before the=20 fire.

"This fire hit us particularly hard because our = barn also=20 burned down in 1971. While we could have lost our entire herd, we = still felt a=20 great sense of loss," says Sarah Jane. "We wondered if we should just = get out=20 of farming =96 because we have had some really hard times =96 or = rebuild and=20 continue."

"The neighbors were awesome," says Paul. "My farmer = neighbor=20 took half my herd and my brother-in-law the other half until our new = barn was=20 built."

For advice the Vitales turned to long-time friend = Russell=20 Hodnett, an experienced financial consultant, who works for Cornell=20 University's NY FarmNet Outreach Program. It offers a wide range of = services=20 through field staff to help farmers solve problems.

"Russell showed us a new flat barn parlor design, = went over=20 our financial picture, and worked up what would make our cash flow = work," says=20 Paul. "We decided to rebuild."

Today, the Vitales' herd has increased to 135, and = their new=20 barn is almost fireproof, very modern, labor efficient, and cost = effective.=20

"We will never forget the help we received from = family,=20 church, neighbors, and NY FarmNet," says Sarah Jane. "We could not = easily have=20 come through this alone."

"And our new barn set-up is working efficiently, = just like=20 Russell said it would," adds Paul.

 

SYBIL BULLARD
Red Springs, North Carolina

In 1985, Sybil Bullard was called home from college = to=20 support her family during a critical time. Her father, who ran a = family-owned=20 grain elevator business, became disabled, then died, from surgery=20 complications. Just 25 years old, Bullard knew little about running a = business=20 but stepped into that role and made it her career.She=20 grew up in the close-knit Lumbee Indian community of Pembroke, NC, = where=20 neighbors value hard work, family commitment, and a love of the = land.=20

Farmer neighbors told Bullard there was a need for = her=20 family's business in the community.

"They assured me they were not going to take their = business=20 elsewhere just because my father died," says Bullard. "I assured them = that I=20 was going to continue to run a dependable business for them." Family and neighbors gave strong moral support. =

"I was also sustained by my strong religious = upbringing,=20 which taught me that a Greater Spirit is looking out for = everyone."

Bullard gave up her career aspirations in = international=20 banking to learn the family business. She turned to brokers and other = grain=20 industry professionals for business knowledge.

"When farmers bring you their grain, you are = dealing with=20 their livelihood. They trust you to be fair and honest and to pay = them."=20

Bullard has always treated her customers with = honesty and=20 respect. Today her business thrives. She is married to a full-time = farmer and=20 is a busy mother of two.

"We help each other in good times and bad in this = community,"=20 she says. "Community is an extension of the family. And it takes a = whole=20 community to raise a family these days."

CHARLES = STRICKLAND
Clinton, North Carolina

Small farmers in Sampson County, NC, work closely = with their=20 county extension service and North Carolina A&T University's Small = Farmer=20 Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program, which provides = help in=20 marketing and risk management.

Mary Mafuyai-Ekanem, Small Farms Management = Specialist at=20 North Carolina A&T, calls risk management "learning approaches to = handle=20 the unexpected."

CAPTION: Mary = Mafuyai-Ekanem (left)=20 and James Hartsfield (center), North Carolina A&T, with = Charles=20 Strickland (right).=97Photo by Rose=20 Strickland.

The unexpected was what farmer Charles Strickland = dealt with=20 in 1999 when he lost his spring vegetable crops to drought and his = fall crop=20 to 5 feet of floodwaters from Hurricane Floyd. "I never=20 thought it could rain so much in a few hours!" says local extension = agent=20 James Hartsfield.

It rained all night. The next morning farms were = under water.=20 Strickland's family, like others, sought refuge in the local high = school set=20 up as a disaster shelter.

"All the ponds, creeks, rivers, and irrigation = holes=20 overflowed with water," says Strickland. "The ground was so saturated = that the=20 flood waters just sat there for days. All we had was water, water, = water! It=20 was too late to plant again so I had to wait until the next planting = season.=20

"You just have to keep the faith and keep on = pushing. That's=20 what life is all about," says Strickland. "Farming is a hard way of = life, but=20 it also has great rewards. My sons follow our family's farming = tradition and=20 my summer crops look good!"

MARILYN EASTER AND CHERYL=20 ETTINGER
Lawrence County, South=20 Carolina

Marilyn Easter and Cheryl Ettinger fully partner in = dairying=20 with their husbands in South Carolina's upstate area. Milk prices are = the same=20 as they were 20 years ago, hitting the industry hard.

3D"Photo
CAPTION: = Marilyn Easter=20 (right) with members of the Upstate Dairy Farm Women.=97
Photo by = Des Keller,=20 Progressive Farmer magazine.

Because many farm women do the farm record keeping, = they are=20 often the first to notice if the family farm is in trouble. Bad prices = for=20 milk add to the stress.

But these women have a secret stress buster =96 a = dairy women's=20 support group called Upstate Dairy Farm Women that has been meeting = for 5=20 years.

Janis Hunter, a county extension agent from Clemson = University, organized and led the first luncheon meeting of 12 women = dairy=20 farmers after they expressed a need for regular gatherings. =

As they introduced themselves, each one's story got = more=20 emotional as feelings and tears held in for a long time were released. = They=20 were dealing with the precarious financial situation in dairying = today, car=20 accident recovery, divorce, and a life-threatening illness.

"The one who had the most reason to be totally = depressed=20 because of illness," recalls Easter, "was the most inspirational. I = could see=20 myself through the younger ladies because I had been through their = segment of=20 life and realized the obstacles I have overcome and wisdom learned.=20

"I knew I could help the younger women with coping = skills and=20 inspire them because I have been there, done that, and survived. I = realized=20 that I had much to share with these women, who live dairy farming = every day of=20 their lives."

"I use the women's group as a chance to revitalize = from the=20 isolation of being a full-time dairy wife and mom," says Ettinger. = "With these=20 women you can say what is on your mind and they don't judge you or = take=20 offense. If you want to vent, they let you."

The second meeting started out emotionally, then = the entire=20 tone changed and there was lots of laughter. Monthly meetings include=20 inspirational readings, food, fun times like theater outings, and tips = on=20 topics like family communication. The demands of farming do not easily = allow=20 special times for couples, so the women share secrets about keeping = marriages=20 strong.

"My husband told me when we walked down the aisle," = chuckles=20 Easter, "I hope you realize you will be second to the cows. I laughed, = but=20 after 35 years of marriage I appreciate his honesty."

"I have more energy to pour into the farm after = spending=20 quality time with my women's group," says Easter. "We communicate in = between=20 meetings for a lift after especially hard days. And our husbands are = very=20 supportive of our group because they see the benefits =96 we are nicer = to live=20 with!"

RESOURCES
BOOKS=20 AND VIDEOS

"Responding to Farm = Stress."=20 Video teaches family members and people working with = farmers how to=20 respond to farmer stress. Cost: $15. To order, contact Mercy Medical = Center,=20 250 Mercy Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001 (phone 319-589-8035).

Farm Crisis and Mental=20 Health. Special issue publication for mental health = professionals=20 who work with the farming community. Cost: $2. To order, contact The = National=20 Association for Rural Mental Health, 3700 West Division St., Suite = 105, St.=20 Cloud, MN 56301 (phone 320-202-1820; website = www.narmh.org).

Out of the Blue: = Understanding and=20 Responding to Depression. Depression resource. = Free.Leader's=20 guide also available. To order, contact Family & Consumer = Sciences=20 Extension, Family Studies Dept., 304 Funkhouser Bldg., University of = Kentucky,=20 Lexington, KY 40506-0054 (phone 859-257-7753).

Farm Support Group Manual. = How to start a farmer support group. Cost:=20 $8.Contact: NY FarmNet, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 415 = Warren Hall,=20 Ithaca, NY 14853-7801 (phone 607-255-1603; website = www.nyfarmnet.org).=20

"Healing = Stories." Video on=20 self-worth, overload, and dealing with changes in agriculture using = the arts.=20 Discussion guide included. Cost: $35, payable to Farm = Women=20 Network. To order, contact Dorothy Rosemeier, West Central = Research and=20 Outreach Center, State Hwy. 329, Box 471, Morris, MN 56267 (phone=20 320-589-1711).

"Green Blood, Red = Tears" by=20 Joe Terrance Gray. A video examining the incidence of farmer suicide = through=20 the suicide death of filmmaker's farmer nephew. Documents, through = U.S. and=20 British research, the interactions between suicide risk and economic=20 pressures; socio-religious beliefs; and possible link of pesticides = and=20 prescription anti-depressant medications. Cost: $95 plus $5 shipping. = Make=20 payable to Ag-Culture Media Project. To order, contact Colorado Injury = Control=20 Research Center, Colorado State University, Department of = Environmental=20 Health, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1676 (phone 970-491-0670).

"An American Farm Tale."=20 USDA/EPA funded video on ways to avoid organophosphate = insecticide=20 poisoning. Cost: $20 plus $3 shipping. To order, contact Rutgers = University,=20 Pest Management Office, Blake Hall, 93 Lipman Dr., New Brunswick, NJ=20 08901-8524 (phone 732-932-9801).

The Farmer's Guide to = Disaster=20 Assistance. Comprehensive guide to disaster assistance = programs for=20 farmers. Cost: $18 to farmers, ranchers, non-profit organizations; $40 = to=20 others; includes shipping. To order, contact Farmer's Legal Action = Group,=20 Inc., 46 East 4th St., Suite 1301, St. Paul, MN 55101 = (order by=20 credit card by calling 651-223-5400; fax: 651-223-5335).

It's All in the Farm = Family.=20 Publication offering interactive farm family activities and = communication tips. Cost: $4 (in-state); $8 (out-of-state). To order, = contact=20 University of Wisconsin Extension Publications, 45 N. Charter St., = Madison, WI=20 53715 (phone 608-262-2063).

OPPORTUNITIES

GRANTS, LOANS, = TRAINING

Small Farmer Assistance=20 Program. This national program administered by 27 entities = in 27=20 states assists small and limited-resource farmers in improving net = farm income=20 through better management and financial analysis. A farm management = specialist=20 conducts one-on-one training at farmers' homes or farms. Group = training is=20 held in local communities. Outreach services include assisting farmers = in=20 identifying available USDA and extension programs, applying for USDA = operating=20 and/or farm ownership loans, providing financial assistance like = record=20 keeping or production assistance like recommending crop varieties. For = information about the program administered in your state, contact = USDA's=20 Office of Outreach (phone 202-720-1636).

Rural Health Outreach and = Rural Health=20 Network Development Grant Programs. The Office of Rural = Health=20 Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides funds = to=20 support the direct delivery of outpatient health care and related = services=20 through the Outreach Grant Program. The Network Development Grant = Program is=20 designed for organizations wanting to establish integrated systems of = health=20 care in rural communities. Community mental health centers and other = health=20 providers are eligible. Outreach applications are due October 16, = 2000.=20 Network applications are due October 23, 2000. To receive an = application, call=20 1-877-477-2123. (Refer to CFDA 93.912A for Outreach Grant Program; = CFDA=20 93.912B for Network Development Program.) For more information, see = website:=20 www.nal.usda.gov/orhp.

UPCOMING=20 EVENTS

Date: Oct. 27
Event:=20 2000 Landowner/Navigating Through Changes in Agriculture=20 Workshop
Location: Kearney, = NE
Contact: Sharon Story or Marge Reed =96 = 1-800-346-2650

Date: Oct. 31-Nov. = 2
Event: "Markets, Tools, and Opportunities for = Limited-Resource=20 Farmers" Conference
Location: Modesto,=20 CA
Contact: Karen Jameson =96 202-720-5731 = or=20 marketingoutreachusda.gov/info/index.htm

Date: Nov. 7-10
Event:=20 National AgrAbility Training Workshop
Location: San=20 Antonio, TX
Contact: 1-800-914-4424 or=20 202-347-3066

Date: Nov. 17-19
Event:=20 16th Annual California Farm Conference, "Healthy Farms - = Healthy=20 Communities: Ingredients for Success"
Location: Santa=20 Rosa, CA
Contact: Marci Rosenzweig =96 = 530-888-9206 or=20 http://www.californiafa= rmconference.com/=20

Date: Dec. 7-9
Event:=20 Acres U.S.A. Conference
Location: = Minneapolis,=20 MN
Contact: 1-800-355-5313 or http://www.acresusa.com/

=

Date: Jan. 12-14 & other=20 dates
Event: Farm Couples = Retreat
Location: Fond du Lac, WI
Contact: = Kathy=20 Schmitt =96 1-800-942-2474

Date: Jan. 15-21
Event:=20 "Diversity in the Desert" =96 North American Farmers' Direct Marketing = Assn.=20 Annual Conference
Location: Mesa, = AZ
Contact: 1-888-884-9270

Date: Feb. 25-28
Event:=20 "Strengthening Families and Youth: Strategies for Success"=20 Workshop
Location: Myrtle Beach, = SC
Contact: 864-656-5721 or fyd.clemson.edu/SFY.htm