It’s harvest time at the city of Springfield’s community gardens, and a new SIU Medicine program has produced some robust results. SIU’s Office of Community Care (OCC) launched ‘Operation Taproot’ earlier this summer to provide fresh vegetables and herbs for residents in neighborhoods around the Mid-Illinois Medical District, while offering new routes for communication and access to care. Community health worker Kaye Barnes designed and spearheaded the project to raise awareness of nutrition and health services available within Springfield. As the crops matured, she and teammates have been

Family farm transitions are complex from a legal and financial standpoint. But the emotional complexity and interpersonal relationships inherent within these transitions are often what throw off even the most well-meaning intentions. To reduce stress for the outgoing and incoming farming generations, keep reading. This article discusses common pressures that tend to arise during a farming transition and the actions you can take to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Considerations for the older or "owner" generation Current estimates indicate that about 70 percent of American farmland

Family farm transitions are complex from a legal and financial standpoint. But the emotional complexity and interpersonal relationships inherent within these transitions are often what throw off even the most well-meaning intentions. To reduce stress for the outgoing and incoming farming generations, keep reading. This article discusses common pressures that tend to arise during a farming transition and the actions you can take to help the process go as smoothly as possible. Considerations for the older or "owner" generation Current estimates indicate that about 70 percent of American farmland

Divorce is never easy. But with up to 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce according to the American Psychological Association, it's likely that you or someone you know within the farming community will go through this intensely stressful life experience at some point. For farmers and ranchers, divorce can introduce added constraints that married couples outside the agricultural community don't routinely face. Here are some things you should know about divorce on the farm, including some practical strategies for managing stress and working through marital conflict. The many impacts of

Divorce is never easy. But with up to 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce according to the American Psychological Association, it's likely that you or someone you know within the farming community will go through this intensely stressful life experience at some point. For farmers and ranchers, divorce can introduce added constraints that married couples outside the agricultural community don't routinely face. Here are some things you should know about divorce on the farm, including some practical strategies for managing stress and working through marital conflict. The many impacts of

SIU Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI) wants our rural and agricultural neighbors to prioritize health and safety all throughout the year. But taking conscious steps to keep yourself, your team and your family healthy is especially important right now during the busy harvest season! As you wrap up the 2023 fall harvest, here are four simple things you can do to reduce stress, avoid injury and costly accidents and promote overall wellness for yourself and your community. Update your farm first aid kit Farm first aid kits should include specific items that are relevant to your

SIU Medicine's Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI) wants our rural and agricultural neighbors to prioritize health and safety all throughout the year. But taking conscious steps to keep yourself, your team and your family healthy is especially important right now during the busy harvest season! As you wrap up the 2023 fall harvest, here are four simple things you can do to reduce stress, avoid injury and costly accidents and promote overall wellness for yourself and your community. Update your farm first aid kit Farm first aid kits should include specific items that are relevant to your

With harvest season underway across the Prairie State, farmers may feel overworked and overlooked. Their mental health can be affected by stress from debt, production costs, equipment and employee management, personal relations and more. Unfortunately, when farmers are struggling, they may internalize their problems and not reach out for assistance. It’s important they understand their health and well-being is vital to their loved ones, neighbors and the nation that they help to feed. “Fielding Resilience” is a one-hour webinar to help community members recognize the potential pitfalls

With harvest season underway across the Prairie State, farmers may feel overworked and overlooked. Their mental health can be affected by stress from debt, production costs, equipment and employee management, personal relations and more. Unfortunately, when farmers are struggling, they may internalize their problems and not reach out for assistance. It’s important they understand their health and well-being is vital to their loved ones, neighbors and the nation that they help to feed. “Fielding Resilience” is a one-hour webinar to help community members recognize the potential pitfalls

With harvest season underway across the Prairie State, farmers may feel overworked and overlooked. Their mental health can be affected by stress from debt, production costs, equipment and employee management, personal relations and more. Unfortunately, when farmers are struggling, they may internalize their problems and not reach out for assistance. It’s important they understand their health and well-being is vital to their loved ones, neighbors and the nation that they help to feed. “Fielding Resilience” is a one-hour webinar to help community members recognize the potential pitfalls