Farm Stress: Perceptions of Agricultural Agents and Farmers
Agricultural Issues
Alex Deason
Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent
Mississippi State University
Indianola
Abstract
Farmers are experiencing extreme stress, such as fluctuating markets, high debts, changing weather patterns, and succession planning. Farming is one of the most at-risk industries for death by suicide, and three out of four farmers, farm workers report being affected by the opioid epidemic (Peterson, et al., 2020; American Farm Bureau Federation, 2017). Mississippi State University Extension Service facilitated four focus groups with agricultural Extension agents and four focus groups with farmers to gain a deeper understanding of agricultural agents’ and farmers’ perceptions of the current situation of farming, farm stress, opioid misuse among farmers, and perceived openness to financial management trainings. Focus group findings suggest that a few differences in perceptions among agricultural agents and farmers exist. However, agricultural agents and farmers had similar perceptions for the most part. During this session, presenters will provide an overview of the differences and similarities of perceptions among agricultural agents and farmers from our focus groups, perceived farm stressors, perceived opioid misuse among farmers, and available resources that agricultural agents can utilize for farmers experiencing stress.
Authors: Mary Nelson Robertson, Devon Meadowcroft, Alex Deason, David R. Buys
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Mary Nelson Robertson Extension Specialist, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi, 39759
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Devon Meadowcroft Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi, 38776
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Alex Deason Extension Agent, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi, 38751
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David R. Buys Associate Professor, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi, 39759