Finding the Right Fit: Strengthening Mental Health Support for Georgia’s Farmers

At the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, we recognize that mental health support isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why we’ve spent years testing different training programs to find the best fit for Georgia’s farmers—programs that respect their time, meet them where they are, and provide real solutions.

Recently, our Executive Director, Lily Baucom and Fundraising & Events Assistant, Whitney Sangster—participated in COMET (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) training alongside other founding organizations of the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance. This hands-on training focuses on having real conversations with those who may be struggling—helping people engage early before a situation escalates into crisis.

Through our HARVEST Program, we are building a mental health support system tailored to the unique realities of farming. Over the years, we have participated in and evaluated multiple training programs, each offering valuable insights:

• Mental Health First Aid – A broad mental health awareness course that teaches people how to recognize early signs of anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

• QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) – A suicide prevention training focused on identifying warning signs, directly asking about suicidal thoughts, and referring someone to help.

• Community Resiliency Model (CRM) – A program that helps people manage chronic stress and trauma through self-regulation techniques, making it a valuable tool for those under constant pressure.

• COMET Training – A conversation-based model that fits well with the way farmers connect—practical, direct, and relationship-driven.

Each of these programs has contributed to our understanding of what works best for Georgia’s farming community. As we move forward, we are taking the most effective aspects from each training to develop a statewide approach that truly serves our people. This includes creating new training opportunities and a resource guide to help communities better reach and support farmers.

Ongoing Support for Georgia’s Farmers

After Hurricane Helene, many of Georgia’s farmers are still in the recovery process, and long-term support is critical. Through our Weathered But Strong Georgia Hurricane Fund, we are not only providing financial relief but also ensuring that farmers have access to the mental health resources they need to navigate these challenges.

🔗 Donate today to help us continue this essential work.

We know our farmers. We know what works. And we’re committed to getting it right.

Ga. Farm Bureau Launches Joint Hurricane Relief Fund to Support Georgia Farmers

Weathered But Strong; Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund

Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), in partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and with support from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to aid farmers and ranchers facing devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. The fund aims to raise $1 million by December to provide direct financial aid to those impacted by the storm.

The Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund is a cross-industry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers and ranchers with recovery efforts, including damages to crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure. The campaign emphasizes resilience within the agricultural community and collaboration across the sector to ensure a strong recovery for the state's farming community.

"Georgia’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state, and this fund is about giving them the resources they need to rebuild and continue providing for all of us," said GFB President Tom McCall. 

The fund will help address essential needs by covering gaps left by other forms of assistance, for efforts like repairing fences, restoring livestock operations, rebuilding essential structures, and eventually providing financial aid to those impacted.

In Coffee County, farmers Danny and Angie O’Steen witnessed the destruction of cotton and timber on their land. 

“The kind of loss we saw all over Coffee County is incalculable and catastrophic," Angie O'Steen remarked after seeing the damage to farms around the area.

Danny O’Steen added, “This was a storm of a lifetime that couldn’t have come at a worse time for Georgia farmers as they were starting the harvest season.”

How to Contribute:

• Donate Online: Donations can be made through the secure page on the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture’s website at www.gafoundationag.org/hurricane-relief-fund or through the Georgia Farm Bureau website at www.SupportGeorgiaFarmers.org.

• Donate by Check: Forms for check contributions are available for download via both websites and can be mailed to the address on the form. Click HERE to view the form.

• Fundraise with Facebook: Peer support is a powerful tool, share our link on Facebook to encourage your friends and family to give and support the cause. https://www.facebook.com/donate/944243541054386/

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is Georgia Farm Bureau's nonprofit (501(c)(3)), and contributions to the Hurricane Relief Fund are fully tax-deductible. Donors will receive a receipt for their records. 100% OF THE FUNDS DONATED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 

Relief Fund - Leading Ag Partners include:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Dickey Farms, Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension, Georgia 4-H, Georgia 4-H Foundation, Georgia Agricultural Education, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Citrus Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia EMC, Georgia FFA, Georgia FFA Alumni, Georgia FFA Camps-Covington and Fort Valley, Georgia FFA Foundation, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Forestry Foundation, Georgia Foundation For Agriculture, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Poultry Federation, Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Georgia Wine Producers, Georgia Young Farmers Association, Lamar Pecan Co, Magnolia Loom, Stuckey’s Corporation, Sunbelt Ag Expo, The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, The Georgia Pecan Commission, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

About Our Organization:

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a 501(c)(3) organization that prepares the next generation of Georgia leaders for success in agriculture and also supports programs that address the challenges facing agriculture and works to preserve the future of farming. Donations to the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund go to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and are tax-deductible under IRS 170(b)(A)(VI). Learn more at GAFoundationAg.org. GFA is a registered charity under the Georgia Secretary of State (Georgia Registered Charity Number: CH015635; EIN: 47-2035360).

GFA Picnic on the Farm Highlights Georgia’s Agricultural Heritage