Cultivating Resilience for Ecological Distress (Train-the-trainer) - Aug 2026

📅 12 August 2026

Join us for a skill-building workshop on supporting farmers and ranchers as they navigate the challenges associated with ecological change.

Many people are struggling with the consequences of environmental changes.

Farmers, ranchers, and landowners have close relationships with places and landscapes and, as a result, are especially vulnerable to ecological loss. This program, presented by Oregon State University Extension Small Farm's faculty Maud Powell and mental health professional Zoe Rossing, will introduce participants to strategies for increasing resiliency in the face of extreme weather events and a rapidly changing environment.

Who?

This training is designed for agricultural educators who provide support to farmers and ranchers. Attendees may include Extension professionals, federal and state agency employees, private sector consultants, non-profit staff, and growers and producers.

Why Attend?

Research indicates that providing opportunities to share emotions and mental health challenges about ecological change leads to greater resilience, increased connections within and between communities, and increased rates of positive/intentional action.

If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive, this workshop is a prerequisite for our cohort that will launch in the spring of 2026.

What to Expect?

During this live, virtual, three-hour training, agricultural educators will experience and learn how to deliver a 30-minute presentation on ecological stress and grief. Participants will receive a PowerPoint presentation along with notes and other resources on how to implement the presentation.

Funded through WSARE: Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant.

Questions: Contact Maud Powell maud.powell@oregonstate.edu