Tri-County News

MDA offers help to professionals supporting farm youth


Workshops identify stressors unique to growing up on a farm

The farm economy of the last few years has been difficult for farm families. The downturn doesn’t just affect the financial and emotional well-being of farm and ranch owners; it affects all family members, including kids.

In response, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a free, three-hour workshop that provides an overview of the stressors unique to growing up on a farm. Supporting Farm Youth through Understanding and Intervention will be offered Monday,
July 22, in Willmar and again Thursday, July 25, in Detroit Lakes. Both sessions run from 9 a.m. until noon.

“Farm kids may be living in tense situations with little ability to make sense of what is going on around them,” said Licensed Professional Counselor -Monica McConkey, who will teach the workshops. “Adults need to know the signs and symptoms of farm youth stress so they can help kids cope.”

The MDA encourages teachers, school counselors, school administrators, 4-H leaders, FFA advisors, youth pastors, social workers, mental health professionals, health care professionals, and others who work with farm youth to attend. All participants will receive certificates of attendance; several organizations have approved continuing education credits.

The workshop is free but space is limited. Register for either location at supportingfarmyouth.eventbrite.com or by calling the MDA at (651) 201-6012.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event should contact Stephen Moser at (651) 201-6012 or through the -Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

This workshop is supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2018-38640-28416 through the North Central Region SARE program under project number ENC18-170. The MDA and USDA are equal opportunity employers and service providers. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this workshop do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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