September 30 Farmer Training Workshop Announcement
Presentations and Discussions of
“A Changing Way of Life: Ambiguous Loss and Farming.”
Do you ever feel stuck when making a decision? In the business of farming, farmers work hard to stay resilient in the face of many struggles. It can be hard to navigate family and business relationships through doubt, stress, loss, and grief. How we move forward to get unstuck is key.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Maine Senior FarmShare Program (MSFP) is offering a workshop to help farmers build resilience in the face of changes that may create feelings of loss. This 90-minute workshop will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 30 from Noon to 1:30 PM. Join other farmers to learn in this MSFP workshop offered in partnership with Dr. Leslie Forstadt and Lucy Wess, Esq. of University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Karen Groat of University of Maine at Augusta.
The presenters will share material from “A Changing Way of Life: Ambiguous Loss and Farming.” The presenters are:
- Leslie Forstadt, PhD, is a Human Development Specialist and Professor with UMaine Cooperative Extension. Her focus includes communication, well-being, stress, and resilience. She works with teams in the farm coaching program, and with the Maine Agricultural Mediation Program. She has collaborated with faculty at UMaine and other campuses nationally, is a member of the Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs and works regularly with colleagues as part of the Maine Farmer Resource Network and the Northeast Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
- Lucy Wess, Esq., is a professional mediator, educator and trainer. She has extensive experience in community mediation, CADRES family matters mediation in the Maine District Courts and private mediation in family matters, probate and other areas. Lucy works to promote inclusivity, compassionate curiosity, lifelong learning and dignity through mindful and trauma-informed conflict resolution practices.
- Karen Groat has worked extensively with the Maine Association of Mediators and the Maine Agricultural Mediation Program. She teaches mediation at University of Maine at Augusta and has managed mediation programs for multiple non-profit organizations. She has worked with mediators, families, communities and outside organizations for several years, specializing in complex family conflicts and systems. She is an experienced Transformative Mediation trainer and communication coach, provides private, business and court-related mediation and training and is on the Maine Association of Mediators Board of Governors.
Have your lunch and spend time learning in a supportive online environment with other farmers who may be facing similar challenges. Learn with other farmers about how you can change gears using knowledge, reflection and self-understanding to create action steps to promote resilience for yourself and your farm.
Register for this training workshop by Wednesday, September 24.
For more information about this workshop please contact MSFP by email at joanna.tarrazi@maine.gov or by phone at (207) 446-5550.
This project has been funded at least in part by Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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