Supporting Mental Health: Southwest WI

As women farmers, landowners and conservationists, we wear multiple hats and juggle various responsibilities and commitments, including a strong vision of increasing stewardship practices on our land. And we all live in a vulnerable space at one time or another – and for one reason or another. How can we as a community best support each other in cultivating strong mental health by consciously caring for each other and identifying when one is in need?

Join us for this special on-line session where we explore the COMET program, which aims to change the trajectory of someone in that vulnerable space, and headed towards crisis, back towards a place of wellness. We will explore that critical factor in changing someone’s trajectory by being that person who says or does something that offers support, care, or treatment and causes a positive change.

To show the power of “the other person,” COMET uses a concept called Gravity Assist. Think of the launch of the Mars Rover. Space engineers did not launch the Rover directly to Mars. They knew it would not have enough energy to get there by itself. Instead, they launched it towards the moon. The moon’s gravity pulled in the Rover and then pushed it towards Mars. Just by being there, the moon changed the Rover’s trajectory so that it successfully reached its destination. Similarly, you can provide that “conversational gravity assist” by being the person who helps someone avoid crisis and head back towards wellness.

Workshop Details

• All women farmers, landowners and conservationists from the Vernon, Crawford and Grant county regions are welcome to attend-- whatever your background!
• Please note this is a very welcoming, interactive event -- a conversation and opportunity to connect.  Not a webinar or lecture.   Plan on staying for the whole session and participating. Please be in a space where you feel comfortable to freely share and speak.
• Attendees will receive a Zoom link upon registering.
• Note: registration is limited to foster an intimate space for the group. The event will not be recorded. Attendees are expected to participate and share in this very safe setting.
• Please plan on attending the full two-hour session for the full experience.
• This is a partnership event between Wisconsin Women in Conservation/WiWiC and Farm Well Wisconsin. By registering for this event, you agree to receive communications from both organizations.
• All women, or anyone who identifies as such in a significant way, welcome to attend.

Speaker:  Chris Frakes & Sheryl Brokopp, Farm Well Wisconsin

Host:  Elena Byrne, WiWiC Coordinator/Renewing the Countryside

About Wisconsin Women in Conservation

WiWiC is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Wisconsin Farmers Union, Renewing the Countryside and the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES).  A three-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to connect and learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.

About Farm Well Wisconsin

Farm Well Wisconsin partners with farmers, farmworkers, and community members in Southwestern Wisconsin to develop and offer resources that support the health and wellbeing of farmers, farmworkers, and their families. We believe farming well depends on taking care of our bodies, minds, emotions, and relationships. In collaboration with members of the agricultural community, we are building networks of support throughout SW Wisconsin that foster thriving rural communities. Additionally, we offer community workshops that teach community members how to support their neighbors and loved ones who are experiencing stress, are in a vulnerable space, or who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.