The south carolina department of agriculture (scda) requests funding for the continued development and utilization of the south carolina agriwellness program

The clemson university extension agribusiness team and south carolina farm bureau initiated the SC agriwellness program in fall 2019, establishing an advisory group the following year. Utilizing these organizations' extensive educational systems, farm stress and mental health resources are currently being provided in south carolina. With limited funding, this collaborative effort has introduced awareness programs, one-on-one farm financial planning consultations, and in partnership with first sun, EAP, a hotline farmers may call to receive crisis counseling and schedule free visits with a mental health professional. This funding will be used to continue and expand upon current programming and also to increase awareness efforts. The project will include a statewide multimedia awareness campaign, educational programming for farmers both in-person and virtual, a train-the-trainer program, training for those who work with farmers, and counseling sessions with a professional who has attended an agricultural training focused on the stress and mental health needs of agriculture workers. For broadest reach, information will also be integrated into established educational events that farmers regularly attend. Intentional focus will be given to provide programming and resources to farmers who meet the USDA definition of "socially disadvantaged" with the assistance of extension agents and other organizations such as the center for heirs property preservation.