Conferences
Western Regional Ag Stress Assistance Partnership
Don McMoran and Maddy Vanderkooy
Summary
The agricultural sector in the western United States faces numerous challenges, including economic volatility, climate change, and market fluctuations. These factors contribute to heightened stress levels among farmers and ranchers. The Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership (WRASAP) aims to address these stressors by providing comprehensive support and resources tailored to the unique needs of farmers and farm workers. This presentation will explore WRASAP from a risk management perspective, highlighting how the program's initiatives can enhance the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural community. Key topics will include the identification of primary stressors based on our collected baseline data and the implementation of mental health and wellness strategies, such as Pizza 4 Producers. Pizza 4 Producers invites farmers and farm workers to gather around a wood-fired oven to learn the art of crafting pizza from scratch. While the focus is on creating delicious food with minimal ingredients, the true aim is to foster a sense of community and address the mental health challenges prevalent in the agricultural industry. By examining the baseline and evaluation data collected by Montana State University, this presentation will demonstrate how WRASAP and Pizza 4 Producers serve as critical components in safeguarding the well-being and productivity of the agricultural workforce.
Details
| Conference | 2025 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | 30-minute Concurrent |