Jackie Bruce, PhD

Mental health issues and suicidal actions are increasing in rural populations, especially among agricultural producers (Anderson, 2009). Agriculture is an incredibly stressful vocation, and it is not getting easier. External factors including weather, the future of production, market prices and taxes, health care costs, and not having enough time away from working (Tutor Marcom et al., 2018) all contribute to the rising mental health crises among agricultural producers. When uncontrollable events, like a drought, occur, producers become more economically vulnerable, which adds to their mounting stress (Bryan and Garnham, 2013). Previous studies also identify that many producers have more negatively associated emotions than positive ones (Tutor Marcom et al., 2018). While agricultural producers may be able to recognize these issues, evidenced by increased requests for help relating to mental illness to the NC Agromedicine Institute, (Tutor Marcom et al., 2018), there is still evidence that producers feel that their ability to rely on others for mental and emotional support are severely lacking, and they are limited to coping mechanisms like repression and distraction (Tutor Marcom et al., 2018). Ultimately, they feel that they, alone, must shoulder the responsibility of keeping their operations afloat and provide enough for their families. While the mental health of producers continues to deteriorate, the instances of suicide and suicidal ideation continues to rise (Tutor Marcom, 2018). This project will provide funding for targeted mental health counseling targeting current and future ag producers.

North Carolina State University will specifically plan, coordinate, and execute a contextually-rich graduate student teacher/faculty development experience in Costa Rica. The team will coordinate efforts with the CALS International Program Office to work with one or all of the four institutions we possess memorandums of agreement with: Escule Agricultura de la Region Tropical Humeda, Organization for Tropical Studies, Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center and/or Universidad de Costa Rica. The NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Science has many existing projects and faculty connections with these institutions through the agroecology, food science, animal science and crop science disciplines. Specifically the team will focus on the sustainable economic development of the country based on agricultural commodities and trade and the ability of the country to provide food for its? own people. From 2006-2008 food prices in Latin America increased at a rapid rate which increased hunger rates in many countries. Our group, with the help of a consultant from NCSU, would make an initial trip to study Costa Rica?s response to this food crisis and will explore related food security issues. Approximately six graduate teaching assistants and faculty at North Carolina State University would then be recruited based upon expertise aligned with the USDA strategic goal to ?Global Security and Hunger? to go on the second trip to study their own commodities/ disciplines in the context of global food security.

A growing need for leadership is evident in the shifting demographics of today?s society, as well as in the changing nature of the problems individuals are asked to address. More and more, educational responsibilities are being turned over to local governments and community organizations like Cooperative Extension. This increased responsibility equates to a need for all Extension educators to assume positions of leadership, if indeed they are to succeed in this increasingly competitive environment. The Wolfpack Leadership Academy will provide the opportunity for 4-H Extension agents to attend a targeted, purposeful, intense leadership development academy designed to engage them in learning and applying the skills needed for future job success.