Project Grant 20217003535570

THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (NMDA) WILL LEVERAGE THE SOUTHWEST BORDER FOOD PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CENTER (CENTER) WHICH IS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN NMDA AND THE NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE (CES) TO ENHANCE EXISTING EFFORTS AND PARTNERSHIPS AIMED AT ACHIEVING THE GOALS OF THE FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK. IN COOPERATION WITH THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU AND CES'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE, THE CENTER WILL USE A BLENDED APPROACH TO ACCOMPLISH FOUR SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, REDUCE AND MITIGATE STRESS, AND PROVIDE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR NEW MEXICO'S AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES. THE OBJECTIVES THAT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED INCLUDE:1) LEVERAGE EXISTING NETWORK RESOURCES SUCH AS THE STRONGER TOGETHER CAMPAIGN BY THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION THROUGH A GRASS ROOTS CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE LOCAL AWARENESS AND EDUCATION,2) ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY OFFERING TRAININGS SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID OR SIMILAR COURSES TO INCREASE SKILLS-BASED CAPACITY TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO STRESS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES,3) ADAPT AND CREATE EVIDENCE-BASED STRESS PREVENTION, WELLNESS, AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESOURCES TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUE CULTURAL AND TRADITIONAL WAYS OF LIFE IN NEW MEXICO AND HOW THEY ARE AFFECTED BY STRESS; AND,4) HOST MULTIPLE WORKSHOPS BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION REGARDING STRESS RELIEF AND WELLNESS WITHIN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE.AGRICULTURE AND NON-AGRICULTURE PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WAYS THAT RESILIENCY THINKING, AND RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES CAN PREVENT OR MITIGATE IMPACTS ON FINANCES, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM FOR FARM FAMILIES AND THEIR ENTERPRISES.THROUGH THIS COLLABORATIVE APPROACH THE PROJECT WILL AUGMENT EXISTING EFFORTS AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE OVERALL WELLBEING AND HEALTH OF NEW MEXICO'S AGRICULTURALISTS.