Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Expands Mental Wellness Training Efforts Across Rural Georgia

As Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized this May, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is continuing to strengthen efforts that support mental wellness in Georgia’s agricultural and rural communities.

Earlier this month, Whitney Sangster, Development Coordinator for the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, and GFA board member Dr. Deidre Mercer Martin completed the COMET™ Regional Community Trainer Workshop and are now certified regional community trainers.

COMET™ (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) is a community-based training program designed to help individuals feel more confident recognizing signs of mental and emotional distress, starting meaningful conversations, and connecting others with support when needed.

The training brought together advocates and professionals from across Georgia representing agriculture, rural communities, veteran organizations, higher education, mental health organizations, and community support networks. Participants completed training focused on prevention, community well-being, communication strategies, and practical tools for responding to real-world situations.

This work is especially important in rural communities where mental health resources may be limited and trusted relationships often play a vital role in connecting people with support and resources.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is especially thankful for the support of CareSource, whose grant investment is helping make this work possible. Through this initiative, GFA is building and supporting a growing network of regional trainers across Georgia to expand access to mental wellness education, strengthen local support systems, and continue building momentum for mental health conversations in agriculture and rural communities.

GFA looks forward to helping lead future trainings and expanding opportunities for communities across the state to participate.

About the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture remains committed to supporting the well-being of Georgia farmers, families, and rural communities through education, partnerships, and community-centered initiatives that strengthen agriculture from the ground up.

Organizations, community leaders, and individuals interested in becoming regional trainers or hosting community trainings are encouraged to contact the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture at info@gafoundationag.org to learn more.

Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Receives Community Mission Fund Grant to Support Georgia Ag Experience

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is proud to share that we have received support through the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Community Mission Fund to help further our Georgia Ag Experience Mobile Classroom initiative.

We are incredibly thankful for partners like AgGeorgia Farm Credit who continue investing in organizations and programs that strengthen communities across Georgia and support meaningful local impact.

The Georgia Ag Experience is a mobile classroom that brings agriculture directly to students across the state through hands-on educational experiences. The program helps students explore Georgia agriculture, learn where their food and fiber come from, and discover the many career opportunities available within the industry.

Through interactive lessons and activities, the Georgia Ag Experience works to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders while increasing agricultural literacy in communities throughout Georgia.

Support like this helps make those experiences possible and allows us to continue reaching students, teachers, and communities statewide.

Sharing the Opportunity with Other Non-Profits

As a recipient of this funding, we also wanted to share this opportunity with other organizations in our network.

Applications for the AgGeorgia Farm Credit Community Mission Fund are currently open through June 1. The program supports organizations and initiatives working to create positive change and strengthen local communities.

If your nonprofit or community organization is leading impactful work, we encourage you to learn more and consider applying. Learn more and apply here: AgGeorgia Community Mission Fund Program Details and Application

We are grateful for AgGeorgia Farm Credit’s partnership and their continued investment in agriculture, education, and community impact across Georgia.

About the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is on a mission to prepare the next generation of Georgia leaders for success in agriculture. Through educational programs and initiatives focused on students, teachers, and farmers, the Foundation works to strengthen the future of agriculture across Georgia through its SEED, GROW, and HARVEST program areas.

Report reveals weaknesses in disaster response for Georgia farmers after Hurricane Helene

A new report released by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) reveals the immense challenges Georgia farmers faced in the first 72 hours following Hurricane Helene, the deadliest U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina. Based on a rapid-response survey of 147 farmers from 44 counties in Helene’s path, the “Stabilizing After the Storm” report paints a sobering picture of widespread system failures, delayed recovery and unmet needs across Georgia’s agricultural communities hit by the storm on Sept. 27, 2024.

The report highlights that 99% of farmers surveyed lost power, 93% lost internet and cellphone coverage, and 71% lost access to water for livestock and crops. In many cases, these critical systems failed simultaneously, leaving farms completely isolated and unable to begin recovery efforts.

“This wasn’t just about power outages. Farmers lost access to water, roads, communications – everything that makes a farm run, said Lily Baucom, GFA executive director. “The recovery didn’t stall because farmers weren’t prepared. It stalled because the systems they rely on failed all at once.”

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT

• Power outages affected 99% of survey respondents, with 88% still without power five days later. It is important to note that Helene damaged some power grids in many parts of the storm’s path so severely that the grids had to be completely rebuilt, which required more time. The GFA acknowledges that power companies restored power as quickly as possible and thanks all the linemen, many from other states, who worked so hard to restore power.

• Road blockages prevented 84% of farmers from reaching their barns or fields.

• Communication failures meant 60% of respondents could not call 911 or connect with family.

• Water access was lost by 71% of respondents, severely impacting livestock care and sanitation.

• Financial strain was a top concern, with many spending thousands of dollars on generators, fuel and repairs.

The report elevates farmer-led solutions, calling for low-cost, community-based strategies like wiring wells for generator use, organizing volunteer chainsaw crews, and creating fuel and equipment-sharing networks.

“Resilience doesn’t always mean high-tech,” said Dr. Stephanie Basey, co-author of the study from The HIVE Research Collective. “What worked were things like a printed emergency contact list, a neighbor with a chainsaw, or a barn already wired for backup power.”

POLICY & PLANNING IMPLICATIONS

The report calls for stronger county-level emergency planning that includes:

• Prioritized power restoration for livestock corridors

• Funding for shared-use equipment and generator wiring

• Local communication alternatives when cell towers go down

• Mental health check-ins alongside physical aid

The report also identifies alignment opportunities with USDA, FEMA and rural infrastructure grant programs to build long-term resilience.

“We cannot continue to respond to rural disasters with one-size-fits-all plans,” said report co-author Dr. Anne Montgomery of the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center. “This report shows that early, local, physical support is what keeps farms afloat in those first critical days.”

The report was developed through the Weathered But Strong initiative, with support from the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. It includes data, direct quotes from farmers, and practical recommendations to guide emergency managers, funders and policymakers.

Click Here to Read the Full Report

“Weather is consistently among the top stressors for farmers. It impacts everything from planting and harvest schedules to livestock care. When disasters like Hurricane Helene strike, it adds to the stress farmers already carry every day,” said Lily Baucom, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture.

The Stabilizing After the Storm report underscores the need for ongoing investment in disaster recovery, farmer mental health, and continued research that elevates farmer voices. More information. including how to support these efforts,

is available at www.supportgeorgiafarmers.org.

Learn More or Donate Here

About the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture:

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to prepare the next generation of Georgia’s agricultural leaders, support the well-being of producers, and strengthen rural communities through education, innovation, and strategic partnerships.