Author: Chelsey Anderson
Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health - ANR
Plan of Work: Livestock & Crops
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The average age of a farmer in the United States is now 58.1. This is according to the 2022 USDA Ag Census. Keeping this in mind along with several farming accidents taking place in the county within the last year and a half, it was decided to host a farmers’ dinner theater. This event took place on February 22, 2024 at the Cumberland County Extension Office. The audience, which consisted of 55 listened to speakers about suicide awareness in the farming community, local farmers who had recently experienced farming accidents, and watched a skit put on by local farmers that covered hearing loss, sun safety, hydration, tractor safety, mental health, communication, etc. A short discussion was had at the conclusion of the skit. According to the 51 surveys collected at the end of the event, some items that stuck in participants’ minds that they plan to change are seat belt safety on farm equipment; being more careful; and weather preparedness. Participants ranged from 15 to 80 years old and had anywhere from 0 to 70 years of farming experience. A couple quotes from the participants, “enjoyed the comedy intertwined with the knowledge”; “personal stories were good reminders”.
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