This GivingTuesday, help strengthen the health and safety of rural communities by supporting AgriSafe. On December 2, join us in making a meaningful difference for the farmers, ranchers, and rural families who feed and fuel our nation.

AgriSafe is dedicated to providing the education, training, and support needed to prevent illness, injury, and mental health challenges in agricultural communities. Your gift directly powers these essential programs—and you can choose exactly where your contribution goes.

Every dollar truly makes an impact. Your support helps deliver vital resources, life-saving training, and trusted guidance to ensure agricultural workers can thrive in both their work and well-being.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to support AgriSafe's work. Your generosity means the world to us—and to the agricultural families we proudly serve.

First recognized nationally in 1990 and reaffirmed by every U.S. president since, National Native American Heritage Month honors the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities. It is a time to acknowledge cultures that have shaped our nation with resilience, knowledge, and an enduring connection to the land.

AgriSafe acknowledges that our Covington, Louisiana office is located on the ancestral lands of the Chahta Yakni (Choctaw) and Acolapissa peoples, and we honor their longstanding stewardship of these lands and resources (source).

Throughout November (and all year long) AgriSafe joins First Nations and partners nationwide in celebrating the strength and continued growth of Native communities. Rooted in ancestral knowledge and cultural values, Native peoples have long practiced sustainable agriculture and land stewardship, influencing many of the food systems and conservation practices we rely on today.

From traditional growing methods to modern innovations in land management, Indigenous peoples' contributions continue to enrich rural communities and strengthen the agricultural landscape. Their leadership reminds us that agriculture is not just production—it is care for the land and responsibility to future generations. We also honor the diversity across Indian Country and pay tribute to Native veterans whose service reflects a powerful legacy of courage and commitment.

The holidays can be filled with family, laughter, and delicious food—but they can also bring stress. Holiday stress affects everyone differently, impacting both emotional and physical health. Common signs of stress include insomnia, irritability, fatigue, headaches, anxiety, and low mood.

Taking proactive steps during the holiday season can help reduce stress and support emotional well-being, making the holidays more enjoyable and meaningful! Here are a few strategies to help navigate common holiday challenges:

• Family conflict: Set boundaries. Make space for yourself and limit activities that harm your mental health.
• Financial strain: Plan a budget before the holidays and stick to it. Reduce exposure to ads and commercial pressures.
• High expectations: Schedule relaxation and exercise. Even a few minutes of mindful breathing can ease stress.
• Grief and loss: Seek support through groups or online networks, and consider talking with a mental health professional.
• Loneliness: Avoid alcohol or drugs as coping tools. Volunteering or giving back can foster connection.
• Challenges with alcohol use: Plan ahead to manage triggers—call a trusted friend, have an exit strategy, or practice ways to decline drinks confidently.

(Source: Lyra Health)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for AgriSafe’s National Farm Safety and Health Week webinar series in September! We appreciate your commitment to advancing farm safety and supporting the well-being of agricultural communities.

The 2025 NFSHW Summary Report is now available, offering a snapshot of key highlights, participant engagement, and program impact. You can also watch all webinar recordings and earn continuing education at your convenience using the link below. Thank you to all participants and our NFSHW sponsors for helping us promote a safer, healthier future for those who feed the world!

November marks National Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. It also highlights an urgent reality: diabetes is 17% more common in rural areas, yet 62% of rural counties lack a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program (according to the CDC). Limited healthcare access and fewer local resources make prevention and management especially challenging for rural residents.

Check out these simple steps to reduce your diabetes risk!

• Know Your Risk - Understand personal risk factors.
• Track Key Numbers - Monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
• Start Small - Build healthier habits one step at a time.
• Take Medications as Directed - Consistency supports long-term health.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight - Combine balanced eating with regular activity.
• Support Mental Health - Managing stress can reduce physical health risks.
• Partner With Your Care Team - Create a prevention plan that fits your needs.

This National Diabetes Month, let’s work together to ensure every community has the support needed to prevent and manage diabetes—no matter where they live.

Sunbelt Ag Expo 2025 (Moultrie, Georgia, Oct. 20 - 22)

AgriSafe staff members Laura Siegel and Vanessa Martinez attended the Sunbelt Ag Expo in October, where they distributed 300 tote bags containing single-use coveralls and N95 Aura respirators. Throughout the three-day event, they shared valuable agricultural health and safety resources for farmers and ranchers with the 50,000+ expo attendees.​

Eden Conference 2025 (Portland, Maine, Oct. 21- 24)

AgriSafe's CEO, Natalie Roy, attended the 2025 Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Annual Conference, a national event focused on disaster education and community resilience. ​

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Natalie presented a poster titled “Collaborating with AgriSafe Network to Better Serve Agricultural Producers After Natural Disasters and Extreme Weather Events,” highlighting AgriSafe’s commitment to helping farmers and ranchers prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme weather events.​

Nebraska Rural Engagement and Wellness Summit

(Kearney, Nebraska, Sept. 29)

Building meaningful partnerships, sharing resources across multiple sectors, and advancing strategies that support long-term health, well-being, and resilience across the state of Nebraska were the goals of a recent Rural Engagement and Wellness Summit held at the University of Nebraska–Kearney. A total of 129 leaders representing rural health practice, University of Nebraska Extension, education, public health policy, and other community health sectors gathered for unconference-style discussions focused on rural workforce development and wellness issues.

AgriSafe’s Agricultural Health Liaison, Linda Emanuel, presented a lightning talk on Disasters and Mental Health. She highlighted the emotional burdens experienced during and after a disaster, as well as the lasting impact on individual and community resilience and recovery. Summit focus groups then collaborated to identify emotional stressors and service gaps, explore evidence-based emotional support resources, and pinpoint opportunities to strengthen disaster preparedness and rural community support systems. Strengthening rural health systems takes all of us!

Did you know that tailored training and understanding of agricultural life can strengthen provider–patient trust and improve health outcomes in agricultural communities?

In this episode of Talking Total Farmer Health, our host Linda Emanuel speaks with AgriSafe's Professional Development Coordinator, Jessi Grote, DNP, RN, NPD-BC. Both Jessi and Linda share their experiences living and working on multi-generational family farms/ranches, intermixed with their expertise from working in rural healthcare. They discuss the unique stressors and common barriers to care that farmers and ranchers face, and they outline AgriSafe’s continuing education offerings for healthcare professionals.

Whether you work in agriculture or healthcare, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

To listen to the latest episode, visit our website or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - make sure to subscribe so that you to get notified when our episodes are released!

AgriSafe is pleased to offer free access (a $150 value) to the FarmResponse® program for qualifying healthcare professionals in select states. This evidence-based, self-paced 3.5-hour course is designed to help healthcare professionals better understand and support the unique mental health needs of farmers and ranchers.

FREE seats are available for participants in Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Continuing education is available for multiple disciplines, including physicians, nurses, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, occupational therapists, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other health professionals.

AgriSafe’s Invest in Your Health (IYH) program provides a series of free, ready-to-use curricula designed specifically for agricultural educators, 4-H and FFA mentors, and young producers ages 14–23. With seven curricula and six engaging e-learning modules available, IYH equips the next generation of agricultural leaders to make informed health and safety choices.

Featured Student Module: Personal Protective Equipment Learning Module

This FREE 30-minute e-learning module teaches students about personal protective equipment used in agricultural work. After completing this lesson, participants will be able to:

• Review several of the indicators related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in agriculture.
• Understand the importance of wearing personal protective equipment to prevent exposure.
• Identify which type of personal protective equipment to use based on the situation.

Stay up to date with the latest in agricultural health and safety by exploring our upcoming training sessions and events. Each webinar offers expert-led discussions and practical insights tailored to support the

well-being of agricultural communities. Save your spot today!

AgrAbility National Training Workshop Encore Webinars 2025

Join AgrAbility for monthly webinars from some of the most requested sessions of the 2025 in-person National Training Workshop. Each one-hour webinar begins at 2:00 p.m. CDT on the given Wednesday below.

• December 17: “Why Do My Hands Hurt, and What Can I Do About It?”

Save the Date: 2026 AgrAbility National Training Workshop

The AgrAbility National Training Workshop is the premier training event addressing issues of disability in agriculture.

Professionals and consumers from all over the country participate in four days of plenary sessions, breakouts, tours, networking, and special events. The 2026 conference is March 16 – 19, 2026 at the Park Place Hotel which is located at 300 East State Street, Traverse City, MI.

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