Rural residency webinar series offers advice on stress

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Rural residents and those who associate with them are encouraged to partake in a webinar series called “Rural Resiliency: Caring for You and Yours,” from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. on four consecutive Tuesday evenings, March 2, 9, 16 and 23.

The series is sponsored by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team, University Extension in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin; and in cooperation with the Dioceses of Madison, Rockford, St. Cloud, New Ulm, Davenport, the Archdiocese of Dubuque; the Synods of Northeastern, Southeastern, and Western Iowa, ELCA; the Wisconsin Council of Churches; and other rural church organizations.

“This webinar series is a discussion starter and healthy mindset promoter for dealing with rural behavioral and brain health, communication skills and relationship enrichment for self, marriage and families,” program speaker Larry Tranel said in a news release.

Farm families and those who work with them as consultants or neighbors are encouraged to attend. Local churches or ag businesses are encouraged to host a community site, following COVID restrictions, to allow farmers and interested rural associates to come together for group discussion and support.

Sessions are as follows:

March 2 – Farm Stress Resiliency and Grief

March 9 – Personality Keys When “Married” to Farm Stress

March 16 – Dealing with the Stresses of Men, Women and Children

March 23 – Brain and Behavioral Health “Hacks” to Mitigate Distress

Registration for the series can be done at: http://www.aep.iastate.edu/stress . Questions about the program can be directed to Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.