Success StoryFarmers' Dinner Theater



Farmers' Dinner Theater

Author: Chelsey Anderson

Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR

Plan of Work: Livestock & Crops

Outcome: Initial Outcome

With the age increasing every year for the average farmer, the effects of COVID on mental health, and recent farming accidents across the nation, it was decided to host a farmers’ dinner theater. This event took place on March 8th, 2022 at the Cumberland County Extension Office in conjunction with the Clinton County Extension Office. The audience, which consisted of 45 from three counties, listened and watched two skits put on by local farmers that covered hearing loss, sun safety, hydration, tractor safety, mental health, food safety, communication, etc. A short discussion was had at the conclusion of each skit. According to the 43 surveys collected at the end of the event, some items that stuck in participant’s minds that they plan to change are, communicating where they will be working if working alone, protecting their skin from the sun, preparing a will, and general tractor safety. Participants ranged from 17 to 79 years old and had anywhere from 2 to 70 years of farming experience. Eighteen participants had attended the previous dinner theater that was held in 2018 with over half of the participants being new to the dinner theater event. Multiple participants conveyed appreciation to the hosts for the event.






Stories by Chelsey Anderson


Women in Ag

about 6 months ago by Chelsey Anderson

According to the 2022 United States Agriculture Census, Cumberland County has a total of 409 farms o... Read More


Dinner Theater

about 9 months ago by Chelsey Anderson

The average age of a farmer in the United States is now 58.1. This is according to the 2022 USDA Ag ... Read More


Stories by Cumberland County CES


4-H Camp: A transformative experiences for both youth and volunteers

about 5 months ago by Elijah Wilson

4-H Camp provides transformative experiences for both youth and volunteers, fostering personal growt... Read More


River Festivus: The long term impact of a 4-H Community Service Project

about 5 months ago by Elijah Wilson

What started as the result of 4-H community service has led to the largest annual event in the histo... Read More