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Farm Center holding mental health training sessions

Farm Center holding  mental health  training sessions Farm Center holding  mental health  training sessions

As part of its efforts to provide resources to help address farmer mental health wellness, the Wisconsin Farm Center is hosting a series of Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) virtual training sessions for agriculture service providers, farmers, and the agricultural community. QPR is an intervention method designed to help trainees identify and interrupt mental health crisis situations and direct individuals to proper care.

The Farm Center, part of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), will host the first virtual session Wednesday, July 29. Five additional virtual sessions are scheduled this summer through early fall. There is no cost to attend. These training sessions are part of several farmer mental health initiatives funded through Governor Tony Evers’ 2019-21 biennial budget.

“Farming is a complex occupation that requires agricultural producers to connect with a wide variety of different service providers such as business consultants, financial lenders, equipment dealers, animal health practitioners, and others,” said Jayne Krull, Farm Center director. “QPR training can help these providers learn how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health crisis in their interactions with farmers and refer them to resources so they can get the help they need.”

Although there is no cost to attend the sessions, registration is required. To register, go the Farm Center webpage: FarmCenter.wi.gov.

Dates of the QPR virtual trainings are: -- Wednesday, July 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

-- Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2-4 p.m.

-- Thursday, Aug. 27, 3-5 p.m.

-- Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2-4 p.m.

-- Monday, Sept. 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

-- Thursday, Oct. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

All of the sessions will be facilitated by Jeff Ditzenberger, a certified QPR trainer and agriculture/mental health advocate, farmer, and member of many ag-related organizations.

The Wisconsin Farm Center works one-on-one with farmers and their families during all phases of the farm life cycle, including start-up, growth, financial hardship, generational succession, and retirement. Services are free and confidential. Farmers and agribusinesses can contact the center’s toll-free Helpline at 1-800-942-2474, or visit datcp.wi.gov/Farms/Wisconsin_Farm_Center/ index.aspx

Demolition work starts for Clark County Fairgrounds project

Three horse barns and the beef barn at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Neillsville are being removed as the county Forestry & Parks Department begins the process of constructing a new livestock barn on the site. Toby Borntreger was awarded the bid for removal of the old barns, with completion of the three horse structures to be finished by next week so excavation work can begin on the site where the new building will be constructed. The work was to begin after this year’s county fair in August, but since that event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction project can begin ahead of schedule. Contractors are to begin site work soon and cement work for the new livestock barn is to be completed yet this construction season, with building of the structure set for next year with completion by the 2021 fair in early August.

DEAN LESAR/STAFF PHOTOS

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