Farm Bureau Press

Susan Ramsey of Pangburn, a language arts teacher for Pangburn Public Schools, has been named the 2023 Arkansas Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher. = One element of Ramsey’s teaching is sharing her own love of gardening with students by teaching a gardening class at the school. She has also partnered with the districts ag teacher to foster a value of agriculture and the role it plays in students’ everyday lives. She believes that hands-on learning, such as planting seeds and observing the life cycle, makes a deeper impact on students than classroom instruction alone.

“In my opinion, the best type of learning is one where you can apply it to your life to better understand the importance of the skill,” Ramsey says. “I hope the teaching we do here is the beginning of a passion and understanding of the importance of agriculture in our society.”

The title of Ag in the Classroom Outstanding Teacher comes along with a $1,000 check and the opportunity to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Orlando this summer as the state’s National Ag in the Classroom nominee.

Farm Bureau established the award in 2006 to recognize teachers who have exemplary programs which integrate agricultural concepts into their curricula. Matt Jackson, Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Director of Education, presented the honor to Ramsey recently at her school.

As any farmer or rancher can tell you, farm life can be demanding and stressful. It has reached a critical stage with pandemic impacts on top of natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial pressures due to fluctuating commodity prices, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors over the past several years. Given these ongoing challenges, it’s no surprise that more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and mental health concerns.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression or another mental health challenge, you are not alone.

When loved ones, neighbors or others you care about are experiencing mental health challenges, they may not even realize it. Here’s how you can identify someone who may be at risk.

• Change in routines or social activities

• Decline in the care of domestic animals

• Increase in illness or other chronic conditions

• Increase in farm accidents

• Decline in appearance of the farmstead

• Decreased interest in activities or events

• Signs of stress in children including struggles with school

Learn more about recognizing the signs of chronic stress, depression or suicidal intent and what you can do to help at NY FarmNet.

• Ask

• Be there

• Stay connected

• Help them connect

Visit the National Institute of Mental Health website for more information.

• Healthy Ways to Cope

• Connect with others

• Take breaks from negative news or influences

• Prioritize your health and well-being

• Take time to unwind

• Recognize when you need more help

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.

“Farmers think that it's a sign of weakness to ask for help. But actually, I think that it's the exact opposite because anything that is hard takes strength. Taking that hard step and reaching out is what saved me.”

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The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) stopped by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA). The committee members toured the house, made their annual donation and prepared dinner for the families staying at the house during their visit. The WLC has been supporting RMHCA for more than 27 years. Visiting the house and preparing meals there is always a highlight for the committee. Learn more about RMHCA here.