Free Mental Health First Aid Trainings for Ag Communities of New York State
Event Details
Date
October 18 - October 19, 2022October 21, 2022
October 25, 2022
November 2, 2022
November 7 - November 8, 2022
Time
8am-5pm
Location
*Check the list for dates and locations*
Host
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops ProgramDid you know that farmers are more likely than the general population to die by suicide?
NY FarmNet is collaborating with county Cornell Cooperative Extension offices this fall to offer free, full day, in person Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses. Farmers, agribusiness workers, and anyone who interacts with the agricultural community in New York is encouraged to attend. Trainings run from 8am to 5pm, and lunch will be provided from a local eatery with a one hour break.
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You'll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You'll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
After the course, you will be able to:
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
- Understand how to interact with a person in crisis and connect them with help.
- Use self-care tools and techniques.
The instructors for these courses are part of a recently trained cohort that work within the NY agricultural community. They include representatives from NY FarmNet, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Farm Bureau, Young Farmers Coalition, NY Center for Ag Medicine and Health (NYCAMH), and Black Farmers United NYS.
Scheduled full day MHFA trainings for this fall include:
- Tuesday, October 18th in Hudson/Columbia County
- Wednesday, October 19th in Cortland/Cortland County
- Friday, October 21st in Ithaca/Cornell University/Tompkins County
- Tuesday, October 25th in Middletown/Orange County
- Wednesday, November 2nd in Binghamton/Broome County
- Monday, November 7th in Lockport/Niagara County
- Tuesday, November 8th in Fonda/Montgomery County
To register, go to www.nyfarmnet.org/trainings. If we don't yet have a training scheduled in your area, check back soon, or contact NY FarmNet at 1-800-547-3276 or nyfarmnet@cornell.edu.
These free trainings are made possible by funding from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food & Agriculture. They have invested nearly $25 million in addressing farmer behavioral health on a state by state basis as part of the Farm and Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) through state Departments of Agriculture.
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
Quality Wool Workshop
March 21, 2026
Alfred, NY
Please join us for a day of workshops and hands-on activities for shepherds, shearers, fiber artists, and interested community members -- learn how to produce quality fleece, process wool at-home, access markets for your wool, help your local shepherds, and strengthen our regional wool supply chain! Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County in collaboration with Allegany Fresh Transport, Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX), Southern Tier Fiber Arts Guild, and Crooked Lane Farm. The workshop will be held at the Union University Church Community Center in Alfred, NY on Saturday, March 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM.
NY Beef Producers Assoc. & Chautauqua County Beef Producers Assoc. Region 2 Annual Meeting
March 24, 2026
Ellicottville, NY
Join us for an engaging and informative round table discussion focused on practical, performance driven cattle nutrition. This panel brings together industry leaders with hands on experience in dairy and beef strategies, ration formulation, ingredient sourcing, and on farm management.
All are welcome.
Membership is these beef producer groups is not required.
NY Beef Producers Association Region 4 Annual Meeting
April 4, 2026
Alfred, NY
Open to all interested beef and dairy producers!
Presentations:
- Tube Feeding 101
- Early Calf Care Tips
- Handling Livestock Safely
Membership in the beef producer association is not required to attend. New memberships and renewals will be accepted at the meeting; drawing will be held for 1 free membership or renewal.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.