When people go through any type of change, the change may trigger a period of grief and feelings of loss. When people become unemployed, they may feel a loss of identity since Americans tend to describe themselves in terms of their job.

All change produces stress, even “good” changes such as marriage or vacations. Sometimes it is hard to perceive the stress of “good” changes but easy to understand the stress caused by negative changes such as job loss. Common stressors in a transition are fear and uncertainty.

The Land Acquisitions and Tenure module is designed to help beginning farmers and ranchers develop and implement their farmland tenure and transfer goals as part of the whole farm plan. Established farmers who are planning for the transfer of their farm may also find this module useful. The module includes concepts, worksheets, and examples to help you assess your resources and preferences for successful start-up planning.

A survey by the Center for Public Leadership suggests that despite some Americans’ belief that “our leaders are effective and do a good job,” 69 percent of Americans believe there is a leadership crisis (Rosenthal 2012, p. 1). Extension is well-positioned to address this need for leader development due to our role in developing and delivering leadership programs that serve youth, college-aged students, and adults. Even still, practitioners are desperately trying to respond to this crisis with deliberate and appropriately planned leadership development programming (Murphy and Johnson 2011).

This decision-making guide is intended for farm service providers and educators who may work with or come across individuals in the farming community who are dealing with stress. It is sometimes difficult to know if a person is struggling, and knowing what can be done for a person in need is not always intuitive. This guide will briefly discuss examples of stressors, warning signs to look out for, and resources that can be shared with farmers who are in need of assistance.

These case studies are tools to help extension agents and other health care professionals identify common stressors among the farming community. Our case studies aim to bring awareness to problems Virginia farmers face and to promote appropriate problem-solving in coping with mental health issues. We hope the farming community will utilize these tools to build their knowledge about mental health and the mental health resources available to them. Our goal is to educate farmers, farm families, and extension professionals about farm stress and mental health resources in order to improve mental health within the farming community. We have incorporated discussion questions throughout the case studies to allow readers to practice applying their knowledge of stressors, symptoms, appropriate referrals and treatment strategies.

These case studies are tools to help extension agents and other health care professionals identify common stressors among the farming community. Our case studies aim to bring awareness to problems Virginia farmers face and to promote appropriate problem-solving in coping with mental health issues. We hope the farming community will utilize these tools to build their knowledge about mental health and the mental health resources available to them. Our goal is to educate farmers, farm families, and extension professionals about farm stress and mental health resources in order to improve mental health within the farming community. We have incorporated discussion questions throughout the case studies to allow readers to practice applying their knowledge of stressors, symptoms, appropriate referrals and treatment strategies.

These case studies are tools to help extension agents and other health care professionals identify common stressors among the farming community. Our case studies aim to bring awareness to problems Virginia farmers face and to promote appropriate problem-solving in coping with mental health issues. We hope the farming community will utilize these tools to build their knowledge about mental health and the mental health resources available to them. Our goal is to educate farmers, farm families, and extension professionals about farm stress and mental health resources in order to improve mental health within the farming community. We have incorporated discussion questions throughout the case studies to allow readers to practice applying their knowledge of stressors, symptoms, appropriate referrals and treatment strategies.

These case studies are tools to help extension agents and other health care professionals identify common stressors among the farming community. Our case studies aim to bring awareness to problems Virginia farmers face and to promote appropriate problem-solving in coping with mental health issues. We hope the farming community will utilize these tools to build their knowledge about mental health and the mental health resources available to them. Our goal is to educate farmers, farm families, and extension professionals about farm stress and mental health resources in order to improve mental health within the farming community. We have incorporated discussion questions throughout the case studies to allow readers to practice applying their knowledge of stressors, symptoms, appropriate referrals and treatment strategies.

As it is every year at this time, it’s finally spring and the grass is growing. What is different about this year though, is that the kids are home. It might seem like a good idea to send them outside to do some yard work while practicing social distancing—and it is! Fresh air and exercise can help ease the stress of being cooped up inside for months on end.

This is part of the Balancing Life video series. This session highlights tips for making the time at home with children a positive experience that supports their development and acknowledges parental needs.

Part of the Balancing Life series. This session addresses needs for those home with young children as work demands continue and discusses the realities and strategies to navigate working from home with young children, even toddlers and preschoolers. Tips are shared with Q&A opportunities.

Balancing Life series. This session focuses on Marital Relations. Staying at home and practicing social distancing in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 can strain even the strongest of relationships. Couples are suddenly spending all of their time together, while also juggling their work and parenting responsibilities. Add in housework, money concerns and other stressors, and many couples are feeling the strain. Some may even worry that their marriages won't survive. In this session, Dr. Megan Dolbin-MacNab, Director of Virginia Tech's marriage and family therapy doctoral program, will discuss ways to take care of your relationship in the midst of COVID-19. Tune in to learn more!

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and has caused anxiety for many people. These emotions can be particularly strong in young people as they adjust to new schedules, separate from their friends, and find a new normal all while viewing the threat of illness and death from the pandemic. On top of that, they are around their family members all day, every day, with limited access to activities and social events. In this session, Dr. Kim Allen, Director of the Youth, Family, and Community Sciences academic program at North Carolina State University along with her two daughters, 16 year old Sofia and 19 year old Fiona, will present coping strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety in youth.

Many older adults' patterns of giving and receiving care have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this session, we highlight situations older adults may be experiencing and how they can support well-being for themselves and others.

Part of the Balancing Life series, this session tackles questions, such as with schools closed parents may find themselves working from home with the additional job of teacher. This session addresses the question many parents are asking, how to help your kids learn and keep them occupied while you work — and actually complete work responsibilities.

This video is for family members who are looking to gain more ideas to enjoy time together, especially with varying age groups and interests.

This session provides strategies and tangible ways to assist teens and adults with the varied impacts COVID-19 pandemic having on mental health. A mental health specialist leads this session, supported by the Virginia Cooperative Extension Human Development Program team, in partnership with North Carolina State.

Families with children at home are working hard to support their children’s positive development, often while juggling work and other responsibilities. This session highlights ideas to keep children engaged in learning in ways that work for them and their families. Sensitivity to the different schooling requirements, children’s unique learning needs, and available resources at home are all taken into consideration. We also share tips and resources for children’s physical activity and their online safety.

In this session, expert presenters share highlights on all things related to personal and family budgets during COVID-19, from food to student loans, rent and mortgage payments to unemployment.

We hear it all the time: you need to establish boundaries to have a healthy relationship. With COVID, setting boundaries with the people we love and work with has become even more important. Creating boundaries helps ensure safety, but knowing what boundaries to implement can be confusing. This session explores boundaries related to COVID in family life.

Many of us are grappling with how we respond personally, and even how to talk with our children, about race relations and current events. In this session, we share strategies for engaging in productive, positive and meaningful discussions at a one on one level. Members of Virginia's Coming Together for Racial Understanding Cooperative Extension team (Crystal Tyler-Mackey, Maurice Smith and Thomas Woodson) along with NC State Extension Youth Development Specialist Maru Gonzalez will lead the session.

In light of elevated conversations around race and racism, this session shares an avenue for adults to provide space for youth to voice their thoughts, concerns and ideas in a brave manner that seeks to bridge, and not divide.

With phased re-openings, masks policies, recommendations, and other factors related to COVID-19, many of us have gotten confused by all of the details. And as things re-open, families are making decisions about the activities that they will engage in, and even which they will put back on their schedules (e.g., youth sports, music lessons, etc.) The presenters will help us understand current recommendations, proper mask usage and sanitation for children and adults, and provide a framework for helping families make decisions regarding activities.With phased re-openings, masks policies, recommendations, and other factors related to COVID-19, many of us have gotten confused by all of the details. And as things re-open, families are making decisions about the activities that they will engage in, and even which they will put back on their schedules (e.g., youth sports, music lessons, etc.) The presenters will help us understand current recommendations, proper mask usage and sanitation for children and adults, and provide a framework for helping families make decisions regarding activities.

In this session members of the Virginia and North Carolina Coming Together for Racial Understanding teams begin laying the foundation for listening to understand as a key step towards acknowledging one another's lived experiences. This acknowledgement, without debate or rebuttal, is essential to feeling heard and moving productively forward towards racial understanding.

The presenters and panelists discuss ways to reach, serve and support youth from all racial and ethnic backgrounds in programming efforts.

A panel of youth share their ideas and perspectives on the current conversations about race and racial justice, including the role of youth in supporting community healing. Current programming examples in Virginia and North Carolina that amplify youth voice using various art forms and digital media are also shared.

In this session, warning signs, communication tips, and professional resources are shared for those with suicidal thoughts. The presenter shares ways we can all be "Gatekeepers" to helping someone connect with resources before it's too late.

Join as 2020 Virginia Teacher of the Year talks "Back to School. "With the varied situations and options related to the return to schools, many families are feeling challenged with decisions, planning, preparation, and communicating with their children what to expect. This is especially tough when there is so much unknown. This session will highlight some of those concerns and share ideas or resources to support families in this regard.

Is it safe to eat inside a restaurant? Do I need to do something with my groceries? Should I accept produce from my friend's garden? How can I preserve my garden extras? Are the seeds I found in my mailbox safe to plant? Expert presenters Dr. Renee Boyer and Dr. Melissa Chase guide us on the best ways to keep our families safe from Coronavirus and food-borne illnesses during COVID-19.

The purpose of a Farm Emergency Plan is to help agricultural operations proactively prepare for management of unexpected hazardous situations. A thorough and current Farm Emergency Plan can help minimize first responder response times and assist with site location accuracy during an emergency. Farm Emergency Plans should be utilized as well communicated training tools for operational employees, family members, etc. If done properly, a Farm Emergency Plan could be one of the most effective and invaluable tools to have around.

The farm economy is in crisis, and farmers are under immense stress. Due to the often volatile and unpredictable nature of farming, farmers, particularly minority farmers, encounter various threats. These threats can be classified under social (family, community), economic (land loss, financial stress), political (systemic discrimination, racism, policy), and environmental (droughts, floods, pest infestation) and often affects the mental health and general well-being of farmers (Braun, & Pippidis, 2020). As noted, farm financial situations cause stress, depression, and with limited mental health professionals, farmers are likely to take drastic measures in addressing their mental health and well-being. Not only do these measures determine the health of the farm, business, or operation – they affect the health of the farmer and his/her/their family. For these reasons, we present this document to assist farmer and farm families in detecting early signs of farmer stress and to aid in managing farm finances. Personal and farm finance resources and tools are provided at the end.

Working parents are grappling with how to keep their children safe at home, especially given that most schools are starting the year either fully virtual or in a hybrid mode. In this session, tips are shared for helping you prepare older children to be home alone.

There are so many uncertainties right now stemming from COVID-19. Whether they are related to finances, health, school, work, or an array of other issues, many are feeling stress and anxiety. How can you remain calm and composed when so many decisions are out of our hands? Join this session to discuss ways to minimize the impact on you and your loved ones.

Preparing to load the yellow bus or power up the laptop? Between schedules, work spaces, routines and adjustments, getting into a rhythm that works for your family can be a huge relief. Join our presenters as they share ideas that may spark thoughts that you can use in your household. And please share thoughts and ideas that have worked for you!

Children and teens are facing uncertainties related to so many things, from schooling, family events, recreational activities, etc. How are they managing? In this session, we discuss ways to help our children and teens navigate the uncertainties and learn of signs that they may need additional support.

Extension agents are closely involved in advising farmers and farm families on identification and mitigation of financial risks unique to the agricultural industry. Financial decisions are often time-sensitive and complicated, and the source of many sleepless nights to farmers and advisors alike. This tool is intended for use as a communication aid to foster safe, productive conversations between farmers and service providers. It is designed to complement related resources aimed at supporting the mental health of our farmers who make tough decisions under conditions of uncertainty on a daily basis.

Preparing to load the yellow bus or power up the laptop? Between schedules, work spaces, routines and adjustments, getting into a rhythm that works for your family can be a huge relief. In this session, our presenter shares ideas that may spark thoughts that you can use in your household.

This video is for adults managing their finances and interested in learning more about COVID-19 related issues regarding financial matters, including mortgages, student loans, and more.

During these unprecedented times, people are feeling stressors from multiple areas. There are debates and conflicts all around us. Sometimes this spills over into our relationships, especially when we may have differing thoughts, opinions or values regarding current events. Join expert presenter Alan Rasmussen as he guides us through ways we can communicate across those differences, recognize our reaction patterns and strengthen relationships despite challenges.

Anyone finding themselves dreading certain conversations? Ever walked away from a discussion wishing you would have said, or not said something? Certainly we all have those opportunities, perhaps at an even greater frequency in our current climate. Join as we discuss ways to have tough conversations, even if we don’t agree on things, in a way that shows both self-respect and respect for others. More COVID-19 resources can be found at COVID-19.

News stories, social media posts, family discussions, and community conversations around racial understanding have been ongoing and happening at an elevated level for the last few months. How do we hold these conversations with our children and youth? How do we guide them toward understanding? Join as Dr. Maru Gonzalez shares ideas and resources to help us have these conversations with the young people in our lives.

Farmers nationwide are experiencing socio-economic crisis and Virginia’s farmers are no exception. Farmers in Virginia are under immense stress due to various threats including social threats (within the family or community), economic threats (including land or market loss and associated financial stress), political threats (such as systemic discrimination, racism, and disadvantageous political policy), and environmental threats (like drought, flooding, or pest infestation). Farmers in Virginia experience overwhelming feelings of stress and may encounter associated mental health issues due to the current crises and the threats they face.

Who of us doesn't find ourselves in difficult conversations lately? We've shared some principles for managing those conversations, and in this session we go a step further. We will walk through examples of how you effectively communicate with someone when it's difficult. What words might you use? What tone of voice? What if it's your loved one? Your boss? Real life examples will be used to practice these skills.

Planning for our spending is always a good idea. And now, the fall and winter holidays are upon us and we're dealing with a pandemic. How can we ensure that we spend wisely and still enjoy some of things we love about this time of year? Join to learn tips, tools and strategies from one of our Family and Community Economics Team members to help avoid additional financial stressors and debt during this season.

There's often an unrecognized toll taken on those working to make the world a better place at work, home, and as volunteers. Do you ever feel tired? Cynical? Numb? Like you can never do enough? Join this important conversation on strategies to maintain emotional, psychological and physical health while doing the difficult and demanding work of helping and supporting others.

There's often an unrecognized toll taken on those working to make the world a better place at home, work, and as volunteers. In your efforts to serve your families and communities, do you ever feel tired? Cynical? Numb? Like you can never do enough? Join this important conversation on strategies to maintain emotional, psychological and physical health while doing the difficult and demanding work of helping and supporting others.

From how to spend the holidays, budget choices, and how to manage a home or work challenge, we’re making an unprecedented number of decisions right now. Join as mental health specialist Alan Rasmussen shares strategies we can use right now and for life!

What do you want to accomplish in 2021? How can you set the goal and ensure you meet it? Whether it's health-related, financial, relationships, work, or other arenas, this session will help you chart a path to reaching your goals. Join as Alan Rasmussen shares strategies that can be applied across all dimensions of our lives.

Dr. Michelle Eley of North Carolina Extension/NC A&T State University guides us further in making our dreams, goals, and visions a reality.

This session fosters greater resiliency to support individuals' ability to not only overcome adversity but also to accomplish goals by building solid self-competence and self-confidence. We take a look at signs of low self-esteem, what may have contributed, and how to build healthy self-esteem.

Strategies are shared to help adults move forward through tough and challenging circumstances.

AgrAbility Virginia promotes safety, wellness, and accessibility on the farm through education, rehabilitative services, and assistive technology. AgrAbility Virginia is a partnership program between Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Easterseals UCP. AgrAbility Virginia is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute for Food and Agriculture. As a statewide program, AgrAbility Virginia works closely with Virginia's rehabilitation and agricultural service delivery system to increase organizational capacity and provide the best quality education and services for farmers across Virginia. AgrAbility Virginia especially works in partnership with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to make recommendations for farmers regarding assistive technologies and new farm procedures and protocols that will make farming more comfortable and safer.