LEADER Volume 26 | Issue 1 | $3.95
CULTIVATING
Supportive Communities Four ag businesses focus on improving mental health
Plus: Destigmatizing Health Conversations in Rural Communities
In this issue
Leader
Member Spotlight
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Stability can be Found Among Horses Joan Marie Twining founded ROSES, a horse farm in Glen Arm, Maryland, to help lift the spirits of children, youth, adults, and senior citizens with special needs.
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The Power of a Positive Community Binkley & Hurst owner Don Hoover focuses on customer experiences and faith in an effort to do their part to bring more stability to the lives of farmers and business owners.
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Support Systems are Vital Within Agriculture Dr. James “Toby” Behrmann and his wife, Suzanne, own Shepherd’s Whey Creamery in Martinsburg, West Virginia and know first-hand the importance of having someone in your corner.
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Using Horses in Psychotherapy Rosemary Baughman her daughter Bekah of Lincoln, Delaware, operate Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Learning Center where horses help with mental healing.
On The Farm 12 It’s Okay to Not Be Okay Our Association
Social Media facebook.com/MidAtlanticFarmCredit @midatfarmcredit
14 Give Us Your Best Shot 15 Community Education Program
@midatfarmcredit
16 What Do You Advocate For In Agriculture?
mafc.com/blog
Properties for Sale 18 Property Listings
Cover photo by Rachel Reiff of Pequea, PA 2 LEADER
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youtube.com/user/MidAtlanticFC mafc.com/podcast
MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA Thomas H. Truitt, Jr., CEO MidAtlantic Farm Credit Board of Directors Brian L. Boyd, Chairman Anthony M. Ill, Vice Chairman Paul D. Baumgardner Julie Bolyard John Travis Hastings Laura M. Heilinger Walter C. Hopkins T. Jeffery Jennings Fred R. Moore, Jr. Michael S. Nelson Jennifer L. Rhodes Alan N. Siegfried Douglas D. Scott David R. Smith Joseph D. Snapp Fred N. West Charles M. Wright IV
Our next issue will be digital only. To receive the Leader in your inbox, send an email to Katie Ward at kward@mafc.com. questions or ideas
If you have any questions or ideas for the editorial staff of the Leader, contact Katie Ward at 888.339.3334, email her at kward@mafc.com or write her at MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 45 Aileron Court | Westminster, MD 21157. This publication is for you, our reader. We’d love to hear from you! The Leader is published quarterly for stockholders, friends and business associates. If you wish to no longer receive this publication, please email: unsubscribe@mafc.com. Use “Unsubscribe Leader” in the subject. The Farm Credit Administration does not require the association to distribute its quarterly financial reports to shareholders. However, copies of its complete report are available upon request or see quarterly updates online at mafc.com. The shareholders’ investment in the association is materially affected by the financial condition and results of operations of AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and copies of its quarterly financial report are available upon request by writing: Susanne Caughman AgFirst Farm Credit Bank | P.O. Box 1499 | Columbia, SC 29202-1499 Address changes, questions or requests for the association’s quarterly financial report should be directed to MidAtlantic Farm Credit, ACA by calling 888.339.3334 or writing: MidAtlantic Farm Credit | 45 Aileron Court | Westminster, MD 21157
President's message
It Takes A Village
EVENTS and REMINDERS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events are changing at a rapid pace. Please visit mafc.com/blog/upcoming-farmer-resources-events to stay updated on virtual and in-person events.
March 15 Crop Insurance Sales Closing Deadline 25 Annual Meeting
May 31 Memorial Day – Offices Closed
Virtual
Anyone who lives and works in the agriculture industry will tell you it is similar to one large family. When a member of our community faces a challenge, we all feel it, too. We pull together when times get tough, and then we celebrate each other’s successes. This past year challenged all of us in new ways, and having this support system was critical. It still is. The four customers we feature in this special issue of the Leader work with those in their local communities to help take care of their mental wellbeing. In their own unique ways, they are working to bring more awareness to this topic, and we’re honored to share their stories with you. Joan Marie Twining, founder of Rose of Sharon Equestrian School (ROSES) in Glen Arm, Maryland, has established a special place where people with disabilities, senior citizens, and children with developmental disabilities can go for equine therapy. If you’re in the area and see a mini horse sticking his head out of a van’s window, his name is Cooper, and Joan Marie is driving him to work. Over in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Don Hoover is the owner of Binkley & Hurst, an equipment dealership with five locations across the East Coast. After recognizing a need in his community to come together, Don created a support group that meets weekly (currently via phone), offering farmers in his area an opportunity to share stories and seek advice. Dr. James “Toby” Behrmann and his wife, Suzanne, own and operate Shepherd’s Whey Creamery, a goats’ milk processing facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Dr. Behrmann is a practicing clinical psychologist, seeing first-hand the importance of having a supportive community around you, with people invested in your wellbeing. Our fourth customer story features Rosemary Baughman and her daughter, Bekah. Together, they operate Courageous Hearts, located in Lincoln, Delaware. They understand the power connecting with animals can have, and they’ve created an environment where veterans, those struggling with addiction or depression, and others can come to find a supportive safe haven. It truly does take a village to get through tough times, and the topic of mental health and wellbeing is an important one. On pages 12 and 13, you’ll find a story of a Colorado family and how a tragedy they experienced is shedding light on this issue in their local community. We also include several local resources for you on farm stress management and rural health. And, don’t forget that you have access to our member assistance program — a completely free resource, available 24/7, offering guidance on a variety of topics for you and your family. More details can be found at mafc.com/map and page 17. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy spring,
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LEADER 3
Feature Member Spotlight
STABILITY
CAN BE FOUND
among horses Story and photos by Andrea Haines
Imagine your surprise while stopped at a traffic light, glancing into a driver’s side van window and seeing a long fuzzy face staring back at you! Attached to that face is a stout body, four stubby legs and a very kind heart; Cooper the mini horse enjoys peeking through the center console of the van on the way to help others. “It’s almost as if he knows he’s going to work,” says Joan Marie Twining, Cooper’s partner. “He is always bringing a smile to peoples’ faces.”
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oan is the Founder, Executive Director, and Vision Keeper of ROSES (Rose of Sharon Equestrian School) in Glen Arm, Maryland — a 90 percent volunteer-operated program for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens with special needs. “We serve individuals in all age groups,” she explains. “When we began, we served mainly children with physical disabilities. As time went on, we began to see more students with autism, behavioral issues, and social/emotional needs with many having multiple diagnoses.” This fall, ROSES is preparing to celebrate their 20-year anniversary of serving their community. “We have a Board of Directors, a team of dedicated volunteers, a part-time barn manager, and part-time stable hand,” Joan explains. “Our barn manager, Connor Bayley, is a graduate student at New York University (NYU) in the mental health and wellness program. She hopes to become a counselor utilizing equine assisted therapy with her clients.” Joan began her work with horses at age 11 in Massachusetts, working in barns, stables, and day camps caring for and exercising horses. “It was during my teen years as an equine-camp counselor where I began to see what powerful changes horses could facilitate in peoples’ lives, especially those impacted by trauma, disability or other special needs,” she expresses. Joan eventually found herself working as a journalist, covering a budding therapeutic riding program in Virginia. “There were not many places to become certified,” she mentions. She eventually found and attended the Cheff Center in Michigan. “To attend, you had to be willing to immerse yourself in a month-long program of training, teaching, and testing,” says Joan. “Once certified, I began to look for a way to provide this service to people with special needs. Back then, therapeutic programs were often an add-on to typical boarding and lesson barns. That was when I decided to build my own program from the ground up.” In 1996, Joan and husband Randy started plans on the facility. “We used a 12 acre parcel of land adjacent to his family’s farm,” she explains. “In the summer of 1997, we broke ground for the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant stable.” Building took several years, eventually welcoming the program’s first students in the fall of 2001.
“Research has shown that positive human-animal interactions can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol.” The ROSES stable and arena were intentionally designed from the ground up to be completely accessible. Everything remains organized in a way that those with cognitive impairments or issues with mobility can experience increasing independence as they accomplish the sequence of what comes first, next, and last when working with the horses. During the developmental stage, Farm Credit loan officer Keith Wills was available for assistance. “Joan reached out to me with the possibility of securing financing that would enable them to work toward completing infrastructure projects. What impressed me at first was what they had been able to accomplish through donations of both financial and hours of service,” says Keith. “Born from the idea of helping special-needs individuals, the classrooms, indoor-riding arena with ramps, and stairs to help reach and mount horses is truly amazing.” Keith continues, “Just to have a riding arena of this quality is a huge undertaking. Now they have a mobile van unit that can transport miniature horses to schools, events, and care facilities.” Three years ago, Joan and her team were approached by a continuing care
facility wanting them to work with residents who had various forms of memory loss. “The Silver Steeds program was born, achieving much success prior to COVID-19,” explains Joan. “Over the years, it has become apparent that for every one student or senior coming to us, there may be five more left behind who cannot travel to the farm for multiple reasons. That, coupled with a request from a juvenile detention facility, led ROSES to conduct a campaign to purchase and outfit a van to transport miniature horses to off-site locations.” Joan has also been approached by an area hospital seeking visitations to help with staff morale, stress reduction for patients’ families, and an unexpectedly delightful distraction for the patients themselves. According to Joan, the growing sense of accomplishment and competence leads to marked elevations in confidence and joy each week. Color coding, PECs (picture enhanced communication methods), and a good old-fashioned philosophy of ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’ is used with students. Lessons are reliably structured, there is a predictable routine with appropriately individualized challenges added in each week. Their students’ levels
of confidence and responsibility have grown not only at the barn but back at home and in academic settings, as well as within their communities at large. “Research has shown that positive human-animal interactions can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Studies have also shown a rise in feel-good neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin occur during and after being around animals,” she shares. “To successfully interact with animals, and horses in particular, an individual has to be able to self-modulate their actions, reactions, and emotions. Doing that requires a certain amount of mindfulness; once a person becomes aware of their emotions, they can work on managing them.” Keith has worked with ROSES for 15 years and still sees benefits of the program. “Profit is not just dollars,” shares Keith. “Profits can also be measured by the number of people you reach. Being able to help Joan and her organization just seems right.” To read the full version of this story, visit mafc.com/blog/stability. To learn more about or donate to ROSES, visit roseofsharonschool.org Facebook: @roseofsharonschool Instagram: @roseofsharonequestrianschool VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 5
Member Spotlight
THE POWER OF A
Positive Community Story by Katie Ward, Photos from Binkley & Hurst
“In the dictionary, faith is defined as ‘Complete confidence, trust, or conviction. Strong belief,’” says Don Hoover, owner of Binkley & Hurst, as he explains the correlation between farmers and faith. “Scripture tells us that faith is ‘The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.’ Most of these qualities are required in the life of a farmer. Placing tiny seeds in the soil with confidence in the germination potential takes no small amount of faith.”
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f a farmer is to be successful, one must constantly live in hope for healthy flocks, adequate (but not excessive) rainfall, tolerable government regulations, fair commodity prices, and a host of other faith-inspiring realities,” adds Don. Don grew up on his family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and worked with his dad. As a result of what many call urban sprawl, or the building of residential communities within traditionally rural areas, and the regulations that this brought forth, the family realized they weren’t able to build poultry houses and expand like they desired. In order to stay close to the agriculture community that he loved, Don began working at Binkley & Hurst. “We have the privilege to connect with the farmers and the land at this company,” says Don. Binkley & Hurst, the equipment dealership Don now owns and leads, has five locations across the Mid-Atlantic region. Don says the organization is more than just an equipment store, toy store, and service company. The staff prides themselves on customer experience and relationships with a strong focus on faith. “We all have an opportunity (and obligation) to be ‘Equipping for Growth’ as we interact continually with our fellowmen, near and far,” says Don about his employees. He has been with Binkley & Hurst for more than 35 years, working his way up through the company. “One of the most important things I’ve learned when connecting with farmers is that stability goes hand in hand with mental health,” explains Don. Figuring out how stability can be brought into one’s life, whether it be financially, emotionally, spirituality, or structurally, can be overwhelming and a struggle for many business owners. This wisdom didn’t just come to Don in the last few years, however. He realized in the beginning of his career just how important support and listening to community members can be. Don shares, “Thirty plus years ago, I had a conversation with a man concerned about making payments on his equipment, and I told him ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.’ A week later, he was no longer with us. “That was a trigger for me and changed my thoughts on communicating with our customers. I wasn’t listening to what was not being said. Regrets are
“I wanted to help create a community of farmers who can support one another and work through situations together without being critical.” difficult things with which to live.” “Often times when we are struggling, we really need to know that we are heard and we are not alone. I wanted to create a community of farmers who can support one another and work through situations together without being critical.” As Don began to realize that many of the reasons farmers are experiencing instability was due to finances, he reached out to his peers at Farm Credit for help. “The staff in the Mount Joy office agreed that creating a space for farmers to gather and talk positively about what they are thankful for would be a great start,” says Don. Groups began meeting in 2019 in the Mount Joy Community Room each month to have conversations about faith and stability. When COVID hit in March of 2020, Don continued to host these gatherings over the phone. “Farm Credit has been such a huge support in assisting with our gatherings for Customer Huddles and one-on-ones with farmers,” adds Don. “For a person who is
challenged in their thinking, to know there is a safe place where they will be heard deeply and welcomed, is important. Prayer is an important part of these interactions.” “We started working with Binkley & Hurst years ago through our Farm Credit EXPRESS program,” says Darin Miller, lending manager at Farm Credit. “The dealership and its staff have grown to be our industry partners over the years, as Don has led the organization to be community focused, similar to the mission of Farm Credit.” The Lancaster County Ag Council had many conversations with industry stakeholders, Don included, during COVID who were all concerned about the mental health of farmers. “Many options were discussed and ideas for support, like having counselors for farmers to call and get help from professionals, were contemplated. We [Binkley & Hurst] decided to stick with the listening perspective and provide support through community,” says Don.
“Mental health and stability is important because the stakes of our decision making are so high these days,” explains Don. “When I came to Binkley & Hurst in 1983, I could sell a 125 HP tractor for under $30,000. Today they’re $130,000. So there are so many decisions that farmers need to make, and if they’re not making decisions from a stable posture with a good business plan and a sense of purpose, that can be tough to hang onto. It can bring anxiety, uncertainty and fear to purchase and make decisions without confidence.” Don shares that it’s important the family or business owners have a consensus when making decisions. “When there is a sense of purpose, there is a sense of engagement, and that leads to positive results. It’s all about making conscious shifts in the mind. “Someone may say ‘I spent two hours with my CPA the other day’ or ‘we spent three weeks talking to an accountant,’ but it’s not about spending time. It’s all about investing time.” It is with these mind shifts, community support, focus on faith, and a listening ear that Don believes will continue to bring more stability to the mental health of our farmers. Find Binkley & Hurst online at binkleyhurst.com Facebook: @Binkleyhurst Twitter: @binkleyhurst Instagram: @binkleyhurst VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 7
Feature Member Spotlight
Support systems ARE
vital
WITHIN AGRICULTURE Story and photos by Andrea Haines
Heavy clouds of steam swirl from atop of a warm coffee cup, a man stands in a barn gazing out into the lot where his animals are happily munching on hay; he sips from the cup adorned with words from Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times”. This is a scene familiar to many producers — whether it’s the quiet moments of a morning, long hours atop a tractor seat, or sitting in front of a pile of paperwork. Oftentimes, we as providers revel in the solitude. It can be peaceful and uplifting, that oneon-one time with animals or tending the earth, however, stressors and demanding times can allow pressure to creep inside, allowing fear and doubt to overtake one’s self. 8 LEADER
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t’s important to have another [person],” according to Dr. James “Toby” Behrmann. “We need another, who invests in us.” Dr. Behrmann has a view from both sides of the fence; he has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. He and his wife Suzanne also own and operate Shepherd’s Whey Creamery, a Grade A goats’ milk processing facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia. “I remain in full-time practice, including a part-time position as Chief of Psychology at a State of Maryland medium term residential treatment center for Dual Diagnosis Intellectually Disabled individuals,” he explains. “I work with children, adults, and families in private practice outpatient psychotherapy, with a subspecialty in family law issues such as parenting, custody, and adoption concerns.” Dr. Behrmann’s involvement with farming is in the crop/hay area, growing mixed grass and legume hay, and repairing buildings and machinery. “I can dovetail this somewhat time-flexible dimension of our agriculture life with my private practice hours,” he shares. Suzanne has a master’s degree in physical therapy and retains a license, but for her, there was a complete shift to full-time farmer and business owner after the creamery was built. He says, “She has primary responsibility of the herd management, cheese making, and marketing. “We formally started farming operations in 2006 on our small 2.75 acre property that remained of what had been a horse-plowed 10 acre working farm.” He chuckles, “I would describe our farming endeavor as a 4-H project starting with just two dairy goats and homemade goat cheese of various sorts that got completely out of control. You know, where one small thing leads to another logical, relatively small ‘needed’ next thing, and finally you step back and ask, ‘Whoa, wait a minute, what are we doing?’” The Behrmanns were fortunate enough to live in an area of historically small farms that had many active and retired farmers who took interest in them and their questions. “To make a small farm financially viable, we had to have a value-added product and/or niche market, as we would not be competitive with large-scale agriculture,” he shares. “The farm’s close proximity to a large population
“All our life, from infant to adulthood, whenever we are repetitively unable, we need another who invests in us.” with discretionary income was another advantage in lowered transportationdelivery time, and costs to potential target market. In a swap of services for land use from a neighbor, we had leased 20 to 30 acres of older fields we could work up for hay.” Finally, access to saved start-up funds, plus a construction loan for the creamery thanks to Farm Credit, Shepherd’s Whey Creamery was born in 2012. “Farm Credit was the critical outside help we could not have done without in starting our farm-creamery venture,” he shares. “Farmers are, and need to be, immanently practical. They tend to view relationships with people the same as they do their own work. In moving forward in life, words only go so far; without action, nothing will actually be accomplished. Thus, it is counter-intuitive (to them) that it might be useful to go somewhere just words (talking) are used about one’s problems (counseling). This perception, along with revealing what is usually supposed to be private, can appear to be shameful, and a waste of time and money.” Dr. Behrmann continues, “But when we are repeatedly unable to do what we know makes sense, we need interpersonal help. We can forget that most of what we’ve absorbed has come from personal instruction and support. Some of us from a parent who told us and showed us the way. Some of us from the extra time and investment of a teacher or a club leader. When we each alone are not enough despite our reading, or inherent experience, our resolve is we need ‘another.’”
He continues, “This is not a flaw. It is designed into us from the get-go. Whenever the task is overwhelming us, when we can’t get a handle on it, we need another. All our life, from infant to adulthood, whenever we are repetitively unable, we need another who invests in us. The type of help we need is in specialized information and targeted relational support. Finding and receiving that genuine investment and expertise toward us is itself the sufficient ‘action’ to accompany words.” According to Farm Credit loan officer Michelle Trumpower, “The Behrmanns are very conscientious borrowers and don’t make decisions until they have had the opportunity to think about the subject, which makes them such successful business entrepreneurs. They have been with Farm Credit for many years,” she shares. “After evaluating another bank, they reached out to us for purchase on a neighboring property. A positive experience coupled with some of us being ‘farmers’ ourselves, they decided to remain with Farm Credit.” Aside from Farm Credit, there was no other lender that would consider a smaller loan, even for a credit-worthy small farmer. “They maintained a supportive accountability, not a critical accountability, throughout the project,” Dr. Behrmann shares. “Now, the new loan based on our creamery’s success to date not only matched other lender interest rates, but also saved us literally thousands in funding costs. Of the various
lenders we explored, no one either cared about or understood our overall goals, our big picture, like Farm Credit.” Michelle explains, “They are always looking to become educated about new and better processing methods, and want to incorporate upgrades to the creamery.” Suzanne comments, “We offer our products at farmers’ markets in West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington D.C., high-end restaurants, specialty retail stores, and on-farm.” The farm consists of 30 French Alpine dairy goats, most deriving from Munchin Hill genetics in Pennsylvania. As the cheese-making expanded, they shifted to purchasing two-thirds of the milk from Liberty View Creamery, a goat dairy in Littlestown, Pennsylvania. “This helps us meet the demands of our customers year-round,” shares Suzanne. “Farm Credit understood us and how this next project dovetailed with what we were already doing and where we wanted to head, and why,” says Dr. Behrmann. “Farm Credit doesn’t just say ‘partner’ to us, they are ‘partner’ with us.” To read the full version of this story, visit mafc.com/blog/support.
You can find Shepherd’s Whey Creamery online at shepherdswheycreamery.com Facebook: @ShepherdsWheyCreamery Instagram: @shepherdswhey
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LEADER 9
Member Spotlight
USING
HORSES
IN PSYCHOTHERAPY Story and Photos by Nancy L. Smith
“It all started with a pony ride,” says Bekah Baughman of Lincoln, Delaware. Her desire as a three-yearold to ride a horse has blossomed into Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Learning Center LLC, a mental health practice where she works as an equine specialist with her mother, licensed clinician social worker Rosemary Baughman.
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osemary, Executive Director of Courageous Hearts, licensed clinical social worker and certified addictions counselor, explains, “This is a mental health model that incorporates horses.” Unlike traditional talk therapy, which involves sitting in an office with a therapist, Courageous Hearts encourages interacting with horses or simply observing them. Clients do not ride the horses. The practice serves people of all ages and experience including farmers, military, at-risk youth, trauma survivors, school groups, people in recovery, PTSD victims, workplace teams, and children with behavioral problems. The youngest client was three years old; the oldest was in their 80s. “It’s appropriate for anyone. You can always learn and grow and ask for help,” says Rosemary. Her practice is part of Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, a global network of therapists incorporating horses into mental health treatment. The association operates in 40 countries and served nearly 50,000 clients in 2019. Courageous Hearts has eight horses — all of them rescues or retired from their first career — and a staff of licensed therapists and equine specialists. Rosemary explains, “It’s impossible to fake a real connection with an animal who’s evolved over millions of years to intuitively understand who can be trusted and who may be experiencing the kind of inner turmoil that can signal a threat.” “Horses have their own personalities,” Bekah notes. “Our clients create their own relationships with each one. The horses become whoever or whatever our client needs or wants them to be.” Rosemary adds, “We use horses because they’re very intuitive and they can pick up on your heart rate, your breathing. The way they react tells us what we need to know.” “We recreate who we are no matter where we go, so with the horses, we can work on behaviors we like about ourselves and increase them, like independence, for example. Or, we may have a behavior that we don’t want to do any more, but we don’t know what to replace it with. This is a great place to practice.” Courageous Hearts also has two donkeys. “They are great with our kids with ADHD,” explains Rosemary. “The children begin to see that their behavior
“Agriculture is a high-demand, morning-to-night profession with not a lot of relaxation. People need to remember to take care of themselves.” influences the behavior of the donkeys and that changing their behavior changes how the donkeys react.” Rosemary and her husband Jeff started Courageous Hearts after moving from the Philadelphia suburbs. Jeff serves on the board of the nonprofit and handles the physical aspects, building all the stalls and interior walls. The practice began in 2012 at the farm where Bekah kept her horses. In 2014, Jeff and Rosemary purchased 10.5 acres and built a home and a 60’ x 60’ arena. The facility was built to be “country-looking, not clinical, and that was purposeful.” Now, with the help of Farm Credit, Jeff and Rosemary are building a 60’ x 120’ arena with a large classroom/meeting space. Clients find Courageous Hearts
through many sources. “We have multiple state contracts with the children’s department, detention centers, and the Department of Disabilities Services. We have a grant from the Veterans Administration for veterans and active military. The drug and alcohol treatment center in Milford brings groups twice a month, and we partner with all regional in-patient behavioral health facilities,” Rosemary explains. She also teaches resiliency skills for the Dover Air Force Base mortuary unit, the sexual assault unit, and the Exceptional Family Member Program for military families with high-needs children. She sees a need for mental health services in agriculture. “Agriculture is a stressful world,” she says, citing weather
uncertainties, COVID-19, and succession planning among current anxieties. “I have concerns about mental health because [these stressors] can plummet people into depression because of the unknown. “Agriculture is a high-demand, morning-to-night profession with not a lot of relaxation. People need to remember to take care of themselves. “Life is stressful. We can all use selfcare. We can all use resiliency skills,” she adds. “I see a miracle every day.” Check out Courageous Hearts Equine Assisted Psychotherapy & Learning Center LLC online at Courageoushearts.us, or follow them on Facebook: @CHEAPLLC
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LEADER 11
on the farm
“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” DESTIGMATIZING
MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
This article was originally published on the Farm Credit Council’s blog on February 10, 2021.
“I want people to know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to get help. It’s okay to talk to somebody,” said Kimberlee Stinson, a Colorado rancher who lost her father, Rusty Walter, to suicide.
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usty isn’t an anomaly. Farmers, ranchers and members of rural communities across the country are struggling with mental health challenges. Recognizing this, CoBank (headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado) partnered with the Colorado Agriculture Department and others in the ag community to help connect people to important resources.
The downfall of the “do-it-yourself” culture Rusty, was, as his daughter Kimberlee Stinson described him, Mr. FixIt. Whatever the problem, Rusty thought he could address it himself, a broken leg, an injured cow, it didn’t matter. Even as he suffered from depression, he didn’t think he needed to reach out for help managing his mental health. His attitude was, “I should be able to get through this. I’m stronger than this. I should be 12 LEADER
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able to do it myself,” said Kimberlee. But the life of a rancher can be difficult. It’s isolating, fixing fence by yourself all day; unpredictable, responding to the ever-changing weather conditions; and stressful, managing complex finances. “All that struggle just adds up,” Rusty’s son, Jacob Walter, said. When things got tough, Kimberlee and Jacob could tell. Rusty’s smile changed, he didn’t seem the same. But even still, he didn’t open up about the challenges he faced; he didn’t let his family in on the struggle. Instead, Rusty internalized all his stress.
on to so many people,” said Kimberlee. Reflecting on what happened, both Jacob and Kimberlee wish their dad had reached out for support sooner. “We need to look out for each other. I think we all can recognize when someone’s not acting the same,” said Jacob. “You wouldn’t let your crop die or your cattle die; you take care of them. So why, why wouldn’t you take care of your friends, your neighbors?” Kimberlee said, “I want people to know that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to get help. It’s okay to talk to somebody.”
One day, it became too much
Creating the crisis call line
“That morning my husband and I were going out there to help my dad move cows. We had heard a gunshot when we got there, but he was already gone,” said Kimberlee. The family was devastated. “Suicide doesn’t end the pain. It just passes it on to somebody else. And in this case, it passed
In July 2018, the Center for Disease Control released a study that found rural counties in the U.S. had the highest rates of suicide in the country. In Colorado, suicide rates in the state’s eastern plains doubled from 2016 to 2017. In response to this increase, and to an increase in economic stress among
Key Compomponents of Helping Farmers Manage Stress:
agricultural producers at the time, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) partnered with Colorado State University, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado Farm Bureau and Colorado Crisis Services to address the problem. The 24/7 crisis call line helps individuals facing challenges similar to those faced by Rusty. On a national level, anyone can call 800-273-8255.
Understand sources of stress Learn the warning signs Identify effective communication strategy Reduce the stigma related to mental health Connect producers with appropriate resources
An intentional, rural focus CDA provided training for those taking the crisis calls to understand and speak with callers from rural areas. For example, if a distressed rancher called the crisis line and said, “I had to sell my herd,” CDA wanted to ensure that the person on the other end of the phone would understand that “selling the herd,” is a serious decision that has impacts on one’s livelihood and one’s identity. CDA also worked with the coalition to distribute info cards with both talk and text numbers for the Colorado Crisis Services, strategically in Colorado’s rural areas.
Change is happening As a result of these targeted efforts, calls and texts to the crisis line from Colorado’s rural areas increased 15 percent in 18 months, and many mental health agencies began reaching out for ag-specific materials. Some of these organizations even told CDA that this was the first time they’d seen mental health crisis efforts directed toward their communities. Beyond Colorado, other states have contacted CDA for guidance in creating their own programs, a major goal of the project.
Stepping up their game CoBank saw how the utilization of the crisis call line was increasing and that it was effective – with 60 percent of callers resolving concerns in only one phone call. And they felt that there was a strong need to continue to promote and enhance outreach and awareness of the call and text numbers. Together, CoBank and CDA’s coalition created a video about Rusty and his family. By sharing the Walters’ story, the coalition hopes to destigmatize conversations about mental health in rural communities, raise awareness about the struggles folks are facing,
educate neighbors about the warning signs of suicide and spread the word about the Colorado crisis line.
Collaboration and a local focus were key “What impressed me the most was the collaborative nature of this project. It truly is a team effort across agriculture and rural-focused entities in Colorado, with the wellbeing of their constituencies top of mind,” said Sarah Tyree, vice president of policy and public affairs at CoBank. “CoBank is proud to sponsor this locally-led coalition as they address an issue so crucial to
the agriculture community, especially in our home state of Colorado.” “Amplifying the conversation surrounding mental health and confronting the stigma that is so prevalent, especially in rural communities, is among our top priorities at the Colorado Department of Agriculture,” said Commissioner Kate Greenberg. “The shared passion and hard work on this issue among our diverse stakeholders is key to the increase in awareness and actions we’re seeing statewide and nationally.” Watch a video of Rusty’s story at vimeo.com/510709388.
RURAL RESILIENCE As part of our mission to support rural communities and agriculture during this difficult farm economy, we helped to develop training materials focused on mental health and stress management. Farm Credit, the American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union have joined together with Michigan State University Extension and University of Illinois Extension to create Rural Resilience, a free, private, online training course to help farmers, as well as their families and neighbors, cope with this mounting stress. Visit farmcredit.com/rural-resilience to learn more and register for the free online course. For local resources in our five-state territory, visit the organizations below:
Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind Save a Shore Farmer Rural Health Information Hub University of Maryland Extension’s Farm Stress Management Site Pennsylvania’s Mental Health Wellness Resources for the Ag Community VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 13
Our Association
GIVE US YOUR
best shot! Our 2022 calendar photo contest is now open. Enter up to five photos by completing the online entry form at mafc.com/info/calendar-photo-contest now through August 6, 2021. All photos must be takenfrom areas within our five-state territory. The top photos will be announced on our Facebook page in the fall. If you submit a photo and it isn’t picked for the 2022 calendar, we may use it in something else, like an upcoming Leader magazine, annual report or on social media! Approved photo entries will appear online in our gallery as they are submitted, so check them out now.
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VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
APPLY TODAY:
Community Education Program W
e are proud to announce the second year of the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement’s Community Education Program. This program provides funding to organizations that provide agricultural education opportunities in MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s territory. Funding options include up to $2,000 and up to $10,000: Phase 1 applications will be accepted now through June 30, 2021. Phase 2 applications will be accepted from July 1, 2021 to October 20, 2021. To learn more about the Community Education Program and to apply for Phase 1, visit FCFoundationForAg.org today! Qualifying programs must benefit communities within MidAtlantic Farm Credit’s territory. Requests must be consistent with the values and mission of The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement. Requests that meet the selection criteria are considered by the Foundation Board. Only 501(c)(3) organizations or those otherwise exempt from federal income tax will be considered. Funds will not be awarded to the same or part of the same organization more than one time in a 12-month period and no more than three times within a five-year period. The Foundation may choose to fully or partially fund requests. Previous funding does not guarantee continuing support to any organization. Funding is discretionary and restricted to a specific purpose. VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 15
Our Association
WHAT DO YOU
ADVOCATE FOR IN AGRICULTURE?
Our fellow podcast listeners and subscribers may recognize that phrase — it’s one we ask each and every guest on our podcast, Farm Credit AgVocates. Hearing our industry leaders’ stories and passions bring us pride and inspiration, and we hope it will for you too! Check out our recent episodes:
Finding a New Kind of Leadership with Emma Musser, PA FFA State Officer 2020-21
Littr(ing) the Poultry Industry with Innovation with Holly Porter, Delmarva Chicken Association
How to Make Farming Cool with The Peterson Farm Brothers
We interview Emma Musser State Chaplain of the Pennsylvania FFA State Officer Team.
We interview Holly Porter, Executive Director of Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA).
We interview Greg and Kendal Peterson of internet sensation The Peterson Farm Brothers
Why you need a Farm Transition Plan with Darlene Livingston, PA Farm Link
What to expect in 2021 for ag with Stuart Cooper, Chief Lending Officer
Creating a Community that Cares with Zach Evans, Mountaire Farms
We interview Darlene Livingston, Executive Director for Pennsylvania Farm Link about farm succession planning.
We interview Stuart Cooper, Chief Lending Officer of MidAtlantic Farm Credit.
We interview Zach Evans, Community Relations Manager for Mountaire Farms.
We invite you to listen with us and learn from those who live and work in the industry we all know and love. Find us on your favorite podcast app and visit mafc.com/podcast for episodes and show notes, or to subscribe to email alerts!
APPLE PODCASTS
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VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
SPOTIFY
GOOGLE PODCASTS
RSS
STITCHER
ASSISTANCE WHEN IT MATTERS MOST The uncertainty of this year has taken a toll on all of us. With our Member Assistance Program, you (and anyone in your household) can utilize the following benefits for FREE: • Counseling: marital, parenting, aging, work life • Legal & Financial Services • Identity Theft Recovery • And more All of these services can be used on-demand and are 100% anonymous. Visit mafc.com/map for more information, or call the 24/7 hotline at 800.633.3353. VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 17
Properties FOr Sale Felton, Delaware
Greenwood, Delaware
Enjoy the view on this fully wooded farm with ample frontage on Chandlers and Sandtown Roads. Great wildlife piece that has been select cut, offering open views, along with trees and undergrowth. The development rights are still intact. High areas along Chandlers Road would be ideal for home sites. $433,300.
Own this beautiful farm with over 60 acres of tillable land and access to the entire property with existing roads, ditches, and bridges. Excellent history of hunting. No easements in place, meaning lot subdivision or farmland preservation is possible. Farm house is uninhabitable and being sold in its current condition. $1,295,000.
Contact James Masten, Masten Realty, LLC, 302.422.1850, wcromer@mastenrealty.com.
Contact Wes Cromer, Masten Realty, LLC, 302.448.1032, wcromer@mastenrealty.com.
Hebron, Maryland
Hurlock, Maryland
Centreville, Maryland
Don’t miss this property featuring 62 acres and a 5,000 square foot home with five bedrooms and four and a half baths. Includes four ponds and one impoundment with tons of fish, covered by geese. For equestrians, there is a four-stall, center aisle barn with hot and cold water, auto fly spray system, tack room, feed/utility room, hayloft, eight acres of private pastures, and a lit sand arena with engineered base. $1,595,000. Contact Kevin Waterman, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty, 410.490.3176, kevin@ watermanrealty.com.
Goldsboro, Maryland
Location is key on this beautiful 89.5 acre farm on Route 50 in Hebron, MD. Property is currently used for agriculture and is nearly all tillable land. The property is buildable and unencumbered by any conservation easements. Property subject to Ag lease. Owner financing available. $560,000.
Fall in love with this farm located on the Choptank River. Property is 310 acres including 128 tillable acres (21 acres in CREP), 95 wooded acres, and 87 marshland acres. With primarily interior fields, the orientation of the farm is well suited to quality deer management and additional wildlife habitat. $1,290,000.
Farm away on this 638 acre farm on Sand Town and Henderson Roads in Goldsboro. The land has five tax parcels with approximately 312 acres actively farmed and 12 acres enrolled in CRP. Land is protected in agricultural easement. $2,600,000.
Contact Doug Williams, The Land Group, 410.726.1831, doug@thelandgroup.us.
Contact Ben Alder, The Land Group, 410.934.3478, ben@thelandgroup.us.
Contact Ben Alder, The Land Group, 410.934.3478, ben@thelandgroup.us.
Mardela Springs, Maryland
North East, Maryland
Port Deposit, Maryland
Live your farming dream on these 133 acres including 77 tillable, 48 wooded, and eight acres with a poultry operation for Mountaire. Irrigation is two center pivots that cover 47 acres and sub-surface irrigation covers remaining tillable acreage. Farm has income from irrigated cropland and poultry houses. Soils are suitable for crops. $1,050,000.
A peach farmer’s dream! 21 acre established orchard with access to 272 and Hances Point Road. 750’ of road frontage on 272. Includes a large two-story 30’ x 200’ building with at least 10 garage spaces. Main house is three bedrooms, three bathrooms. Tenant house is one bedroom, one bath with a kitchen and living room. Featuring several barns, cold storage and market. $925,000.
Breathtaking views of Susquehanna River. This very rare and inviting site can be annexed into the town of Port Deposit. Availability of town water and sewer. Total combined acreage is 81.63 acres. $5,900,000.
Contact Nick Campanaro, The Land Group, 443.465.3520, nick@thelandgroup.us.
Contact Melinda Wimer, Harlan C. Williams Co., 410.287.0037, Melinda.Wimer@gmail.com.
Contact Harlan Williams, Harlan C. Williams Co., 410.287.0037, hcwillco@gmail.com.
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VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
Stevensville, Maryland
Taneytown, Maryland
Taneytown, Maryland
Relax on 79 wooded acres of agriculture-noted land with potential income from timber harvest. Property is not under any conservation easements. Majority of soils are subclass where excess water is the dominant hazard. Abundant wildlife for recreation. $799,000.
Check out this three bedroom, two bath home completely remodeled 10 years ago. Including a nice enclosed shed, an approved conventional perc, footwork done for an off conveyance lot, and a perc done for a backup septic field for the current home. Excellent wildlife and surrounded by preserved farmland. $550,000.
Gorgeous views all around! Check out this rancher on a 44 acre farm with three bedrooms, three baths, an open concept floor plan, and a great room with wood stove built in 2003. Including a 50’ x 48’ pole building with 16’ doors, electric and water, kennel and chicken coop. Pasture areas and a small stream on property. Move-in ready. $579,000.
Contact Rob Freyer, The Land Group, 410.299.4811, rob@thelandgroup.us.
Contact Jeremy Bertier, The Land Group, 443.375.2905, jeremy@thelandgroup.us.
Contact Karen Carroll, Haines Realty, 410.375.8898, Karencarrollrealtor@yahoo.com.
Urbana, Maryland
A gorgeous circa mid-1800’s Victorian stone farmhouse near Sugar Loaf Mountain and minutes from I-270 at Urbana. Seven acres with a pond, smoke house, bank barn, machine shed and work shop. An ideal setup for a contractor, gentleman farmer or equestrian with trail access and The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy just down the road. $649,900. Contact Buzz Mackintosh, Mackintosh Inc., 301.748.3696, Buzzmac@prodigy.net.
Nassawadox, Virginia
Don’t miss these 57 acres of mostly open farmland with good soil in the town of Nassawadox on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Great location. $208,900. Contact Ralph Dodd, Ralph W. Dodd & Associates, LLC, 757.442.1123, rwdodd@verizon.net.
Lower Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania
Perfect for someone with their own horses who wants to save money on board and live in the cute studio apartment (30’ x36’) above the barn. Level and open acreage with a small amount of woods. Includes a 36’ x60’ Gambrel Barn with seven box stalls and a tack room with brick flooring, doors with lead glass, a creek on the property and a deck on the back. $285,000. Contact Cindy Stys, Cindy Stys Equestrian & Country Properties, Ltd., 610.849.1790, cindy@cshorseproperties.com.
Gore, Virginia
Live your farming dream on this large, mostly timber tract located minutes west of Gore off US 50. Enjoy multiple access points and internal road system. Take in the mountain and orchard views from throughout the property. Multiple fields on this parcel make ideal locations for home sites, food plots, or pasture for livestock. $498,850. Contact Chad Pangle, Whitetail Properties, 540.975.3487, chad.pangle@whitetailproperties.com.
Need financing for any of these properties? Call Farm Credit at 888.339.3334 *Financing availability subject to loan approval and property eligibility.
VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 1
LEADER 19
PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BALTIMORE, MD PERMIT 1608
45 Aileron Court Westminster, MD 21157
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