Tackling the Mental Stress of Avian Influenza in Agriculture

For producers, spotting the first signs of a possible avian influenza outbreak can bring on a flood of stress, worry, and tough decisions. The emotional toll — before, during, and after flock depopulation — is real, and it affects everyone involved. So how do we recognize when someone’s struggling with all of this? And maybe more importantly, how do we show up for them — as coworkers and team members?

In this webinar, we’ll talk about how to support each other through the mental and emotional challenges that come with avian influenza outbreaks. We’ll walk through some simple strategies that individuals and teams can use, and introduce a helpful tool designed to guide those conversations and check-ins. Extra resources will be provided that you can lean on, whether you’re going through it yourself or helping someone else.

AgriSafe gratefully acknowledges the Ohio Poultry Association for supporting this learning opportunity.

Tara Haskins, DNP, MSN, RN, AHN-BC

Total Farmer Health Director

AgriSafe Network

Dr. Tara Haskins oversees partnerships to support AgriSafe’s Total Farmer Health initiative. She is also responsible for AgriSafe’s mental health programming. Tara contributes to curriculum design and implements new Total Farmer Health trainings that optimize and expand upon existing programs. She collaborates with organizations and government agencies that are interested in using the Total Farmer Health model as a public health framework.

Tara has worked in healthcare as a registered nurse for 37 years with clinical experience in medical surgical, critical care, crisis intervention and opioid and alcohol outpatient treatment. Dr. Haskins worked for 11 years in academia as lead faculty in musculoskeletal and psychiatric mental health nursing content across three universities.

Linda Emanuel, BSN, RN

Community Health Liaison

AgriSafe Network

Shaped by Linda’s experience as a Registered Nurse working in rural communities as well as her proprietorship of a three generational Nebraska family farm, Linda naturally connects as an advocate and educator with agriculture producers and health care professionals. As the Community Health Director of the AgriSafe Network, she is responsible for curriculum design and outreach for the Veteran Farmer program, Total Farmer Health Coach program, and Women’s health. Her work is promoted on a state, regional and national level through webinars, onsite presentations, publications as well as user-friendly resources. Her passion to support the total farmer health concept drives her to act as a liaison between research and practice.

Linda has a diverse background in acute care nursing, intensive care, pediatrics, home health care, and rural primary care clinics. She is an AgriSafe Nurse Scholar, and a Nebraska LEAD fellow. She belongs to the American Nurses Association, Rural Nurses Organization, and Nebraska Nurses Association. She and her husband own and operate a row crop farming operation that has welcomed back their sons and families to continue a legacy.