Drought. You're either in it, preparing for it or recovering from it.
That’s how University of Missouri Extension specialists describe the sentiments of farm families facing yet another year of uncertainty.
“Missouri stands at the precipice of its fourth significant drought in six years,” says Rob Kallenbach, associate dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
“Water scarcity threatens agriculture, ecosystems, businesses and communities,” says Kallenbach, who oversees agriculture extension specialists in 114 counties. “The University of Missouri’s extension programs offer science-based solutions to mitigate the impact of drought.”
MU Extension developed a Drought Resources webpage in 2012 and has continued to add articles and publications to it to help guide farmers and ranchers. Specialists across all disciplines meet weekly to develop resources and discuss ways to help Missourians keep livestock and crop operations going.
Just as importantly, they try to help those who are in mental distress because of the financial and emotional hardships farm families face.
MU Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch says MU Extension has resources to help. She sees stress and anxiety daily in the furrowed brows of farmers who are often reluctant to talk about their troubles.
“These are farmers who pride themselves on their independence,” Funkenbusch says. “They are used to taking care of others as they feed our nation. Those in the agricultural community often put unrealistic pressure on themselves to control things beyond their control – like the weather.
“When that happens, we need to provide them a safe place to share the pressures they are facing. We talk about how we can take care of our livestock and our crops during drought, but we often overlook the importance of caring for ourselves and others, mentally and physically.”
One in five people will experience mental illness during their lifetime, she says. Those numbers increase during times of uncertainty that affect the livelihood and lifestyle of farm families. The effects ripple through multiple generations of families and through rural communities where people are closely connected.
Source : missouri.edu