Confident Conversations: Useful Tools To Address Farmer Stress And Difficult Topics

Dates: May 28, 2026, June 4, June 11 and June 18

Time: 12:30 -1:45  p.m. EST

Register here: https://forms.gle/xuPR5QdAYi7m9eWG6

As service providers, producers and farm workers in farming, fishing, and logging industries, we know how stressful these careers and lifestyles can be. We are in the unique position to support the success of our neighbors, family members and clientele, because we understand the uniqueness of their motivations, concerns and well-being. While we are strong in many areas, we are often not so confident in our ability to have supportive conversations that will improve decision-making, build on their strengths, and address tough topics. You may be unsure about what to say when working with those who are burned out or stressed. The focus of this training series is to strengthen skills and confidence in your ability to use proven communication tools to reduce all types of risks and build resilience in your community members and their enterprises.

This 4-part webinar series will provide an overview and model the Confident Conversations Curriculum developed by University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and colleagues in the NE. The series will be offered Thursdays 12:30 – 1:45  p.m. EST. 

The session on May 28th will offer an overview of the materials while the remaining sessions will model each of the 45-minute lessons. We'll wrap up each session with a discussion about implementing the materials with your audiences. Funding for this program came from Cultivemos and the NIFA/USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Register here:  https://forms.gle/xuPR5QdAYi7m9eWG6

Participants will:

· Increase knowledge and skills for effective communication techniques that facilitate positive and productive conversations. This will include appreciative inquiry, improve techniques and the impact humor can have on mental well-being;

· Increase knowledge about mental health, stress and stigma, and the impact these have on producers and their families;

· Increase knowledge of mental health resources and the Confident Conversations programmatic resources;

· Increase capacity to address mental health and build resilience in operations and the family within their communities.

· Increase the likelihood of using the educational materials presented.

· If requested, receive access to training materials.

This material was developed as part of the FRSAN-NE/Cultivemos grant funding and was developed in collaboration with Extension Educators in the Northeast region. 

In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin (including English proficiency), religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)

If you need a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Maria Pippidis at pippidis@udel.edu.  All reasonable accommodation requests should be made at least two weeks prior to the event