Delaware’s farming community faces unique mental health challenges including financial pressures, social isolation, and unpredictable economic conditions. As the nation observes Mental Health Awareness Month this May, local agricultural organizations are taking action to address these concerns head-on.
A collaborative effort between the Delaware Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Engagement Committee and the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension will bring a specialized mental health workshop to farmers and their families. The educational session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, running from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Delaware Agriculture Museum, with no admission charge.
The workshop aims to equip participants with hands-on techniques for identifying and addressing mental health warning signs including stress overload, exhaustion, and depression in both themselves and their peers. Attendees will also receive information about local mental health services and how to access professional care when needed.
Leading the presentation will be Maria Pippidis from UD Cooperative Extension, who will deliver a University of Maryland Extension curriculum called “Observe, Engage, Share.” This specialized program teaches participants to better understand mental health challenges and spot early warning signs of psychological distress.
Pippidis brings extensive experience to the role as a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator Emeritus, having served UD Cooperative Extension since 1992. Her expertise spans financial planning, healthcare navigation, community building, and personal growth, with recent focus on agricultural stress management and building stronger farm families.
“Farmers are incredibly resilient, but resilience doesn’t mean facing challenges alone,” said P&E Co-chair Maci Carter. “By bringing this conversation into the open, we’re reminding our agricultural community that support is available and that taking care of mental health is just as important as taking care of the farm.”
Participants will receive take-home materials including contact information for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring immediate access to professional crisis intervention services when needed.
Additional information about Delaware Farm Bureau programs can be found at defb.org. Questions regarding the upcoming seminar should be directed to DEFB Assistant Executive Director and Marketing Coordinator Mikayla Paul at [email protected].
