Recent Articles
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I have one word for you today—plastics. Actually, with apologies to the movie The Graduate, the word I really have for your today is neuroplasticity. Neuro-what?? We used to think that the brain stopped developing in adolescence, but more and more we are learning that the brain is active and changing throughout our lives in…
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When I was at the Southern Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers conference this year, I spent a lot of time talking with growers about what they thought would be effective messages for farmers about managing stress. I asked about the words that resonated with them, and the images they thought were most powerful. Growers were…
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It was my birthday this week, and a big number birthday. Those of you who have been reading my blog know that I lost my parents about 3 months ago, so this was my first birthday without them. I spent a lot of time being wistful and reminiscing, and during the week I’ve realized that…
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I was reading an article from University of Minnesota Extension on farm safety today, and this phrase jumped out and hit me over the head. “There is no award for who suffers the most.” Ouch. How often do we brag about how long our workday is, or how little sleep we’ve gotten, or how crazy…
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Camp Hand is an Extension Specialist at UGA who has been a big champion of talking about farmer stress and stress management. Today I’m posting a Q&A I had with Camp this week, where he talks candidly about his own actions in overcoming stress and emotional distress. A: Hi Camp. Thank you so much for…
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I’m sure that as some of you have read my posts and suggestions for managing stress, you may have thought “That’s easy for her to say–what does she know about farming?” Well, you’re right that I am not farming, though I have lots of farming connections and learn more every day from my friends and…
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“Anna, are you a witch?” The question took me by surprise. I was at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Growers conference talking about farm stress, and one of the growers asked me this at our booth. “Excuse me?” I replied, feeling really puzzled and a tiny bit offended. He continued “Because unless you’re a…
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I was talking a good friend the other day, and she started telling me about her neighbor Caleb, who grows peaches. As well all know, the Georgia peach crop is in trouble this year, due to a warm winter followed by several days of freezing temperatures. “I’m really worried about Caleb,” she said. “He just…
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I just discovered this commentary from Bob Kemerait, Professor and Extension Specialist in the UGA Dept. of Plant Pathology. Titled “When being ‘tough’ may be too much”, he eloquently talks about how tough and stoic farmers are, and how sometimes that gets in the way of asking for help when you really need it. As…
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I was recently talking with the wife of a Georgia grower, about the stresses her husband is under and how he won’t take time to go to the doctor or take care of himself. In frustration she said “I just wish he would take care of himself as well as he takes care of his…
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