Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives Mental Health Workshops

Now Accepting Registrations

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), along with the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA), have announced three new mental health initiatives geared towards farmers and those in the agricultural community.

Titled "Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives", these initiatives include community workshops, virtual suicide prevention trainings and one-hour sessions for agribusinesses covering mental health stigmas and the resources available to help those in need. Each event is free of charge.

ISDA will be working with the IRHA to help those who live and work in agriculture become more comfortable speaking about mental health care options by holding free, regional community workshops across Indiana. Conversations about mental health stigma and resources, as well as recognizing signs of those in mental health distress, will be discussed.

Community workshops and online suicide prevention trainings are open to anyone wanting to learn more about mental health in agriculture including, but not limited to, farmers, farming families, agribusinesses, loan officers, religious leaders, rural health care workers and more.

Click below to learn more about these initiatives and register for a workshop near you.

200,000 Pounds of Poultry Products Donated to Hoosiers this Year

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch,?Indiana State Department of Agriculture?Director Bruce Kettler and the?Indiana State Poultry Association?recently recognized the generosity of Indiana?s poultry producers at the 75th annual Indiana state poultry recognition event at the Indiana Statehouse. Over the past year, Indiana poultry farmers have donated nearly 100 tons or 200,000 pounds of poultry products to Hoosiers in need.

For decades, Indiana?s poultry producers have been working to address food insecurity in their local communities by providing protein to food banks across the state. Some of the main products that were donated over the course of this year include eggs, chicken, duck and turkey.

The strength of Indiana?s poultry sector was also recognized during the ceremony as Indiana is one of the top poultry producing states in the country. According to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service, Indiana ranks No. 1 in duck production, No. 2 in egg production, No. 4 in turkey production and is home to high quality broiler chicken production as well.?

Click below to read more about the poultry?presentation.

Nominate Local Teachers for Indiana?s Top Agricultural Educator Award

Agricultural educators serve a critical role in their communities, devoting countless hours to prepare students for successful careers and help them pursue their passions. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and Indiana FFA are accepting nominations for Indiana?s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the 2022-2023 Ag Educator of the Year.

Following the nomination period, closing?December 31, 2022,?a selection committee will evaluate nominations and select?8?finalists in?Indiana,?who will receive an individualized plaque and $500. One finalist will then be chosen as the grand prize winner, earning the 2022-2023 Ag Educator of the Year title for?Indiana?and receiving the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and $3,000 to help fund future educational efforts.

Click below to learn more or nominate someone.?

2022 County FSA Committee Elections are Underway

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee elections are underway! Eligible voters should soon be receiving ballots in the mail. Voting ends Monday, December 5.

County Committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. Producers who serve on committees work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.?

Click below?to learn more or contact your local FSA office.

November 1: Nominate Local Teachers for Indiana?s Top Agricultural Educator Award
Find the full release?here

November 14: Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives Mental Health Workshops Now Accepting Registrations
Find the full release?here

November 22: 200,000 Pounds of Poultry Products Donated to Hoosiers this Year
Find the full release?here

To learn more, click?here.

FEDERAL FUNDING:

USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program
Find more information?here

USDA Regional Food Business Centers Program
Find more information?here

USDA Fertilizer Production Expansion Program
Find more information?here

Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NEXTGEN)
Find?more information?here

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Small Business Funding Portal
Find more information here

STATE FUNDING:

Indiana State Trade and Export Promotion (IN-STEP)
Find more information here

Manufacturing Readiness Grant
Find more information here

GENERAL FUNDING:

Food Export Midwest?
Find more information here

ISDA Communications Summer Intern |?Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

ISDA Grain Buyers?Summer Intern |?Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

ISDA Conservation GIS?Summer Intern |?Indianapolis, IN
Find more information here

December 7, 2022 |?Logansport Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives Workshop
Find more information and RSVP?here

December 13?15, 2022 | Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo
Find more information here

December 15, 2022 | Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo Agricultural Career Fair
Find more information here

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