Katherine McKee, PhD

The Animal Science Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (ASSURE) program is an experiential initiative that will provide Animal Science undergraduate students with hands-on research experiences, a detailed education on leadership and communication practices, and individualized mentorship and career guidance to strengthen US animal production. Our ASSURE program, which will target and recruit sophomore and junior baccalaureate students that are under-resourced (i.e., underrepresented, disabled, economically disadvantaged, rural and first generation college students), has three main objectives: (1) to create an intensive and extensive hands-on experience in applied and fundamental research, (2) to develop and refine essential workforce skills and enhance future employment, and (3) to strengthen and advance understanding of the opportunities available in food animal-related careers and graduate programs. Given that the theme of our ASSURE program is Research Advancing Sustainability in Animal Production, the cornerstone of this program is a 12-week Summer research experience that will include hands-on experience in applied and fundamental Animal Science research as well as Professional Development Fridays which will include instruction on leadership and communication practices, on-site tours of local animal agriculture industry facilities, and career guidance through mentoring meetings and career day panels from Animal Science experts in extension, industry, government, and academia professions. The intended impact of our ASSURE program is to educate and empower Animal Science undergraduates in order to enhance our ability to retain well qualified graduates in animal agriculture and strengthen the workforce in US food animal production.

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.