Fall 1999
A scene from "Farm Alarm," performed by St. Paul-based Theatre at Work.
Several recent studies have shown that farming is among the most stressful of occupations. Many injuries among farm workers and their family members are believed to be related to stress, fatigue, and the preoccupation that occurs during particularly stressful times, such as the current rural economic crisis, and seasonal "crunch periods," such as planting and harvesting.
Associate Professor John Shutske, the University of Minnesota Extension Service Agricultural Safety Specialist, and colleague Michele Schermann, an extension educator who is also a registered nurse, formed a group called "Partners for Farm Safety and Health" to find ways to help farmers and other rural residents learn how to cope with stress. Partners, in cooperation with several local partners, developed a play entitled "Farm Alarm," that portrays the lives&emdash;daily stressors, decision-making, and the effect of their choices on health and safety&emdash;of two fictitious Minnesota farm families. The performance portrays the kinds of questions and decisions farm families are currently faced with, including diversifying operations, downsizing or expanding, or leaving farming altogether. The play is performed by Theatre at Work, a St. Paul company that has worked with the University of Minnesota Extension Service on other projects related to agricultural health and stress.
After each performance, the audience participates in a facilitated discussion of issues raised in the play. Discussion participants have included local members of the clergy, mental health professionals, extension educators, and other rural professionals who can help farmers and their families identify their own areas of stress and help connect them with local resources to help deal with those stressors.
In 1999, the play and follow-up discussions have involved 3800 farmers, family members, and rural professionals in 25 Minnesota communities. Reaction from farmers who have attended has been positive. One comment following the presentation was, "This play is so real. It helped me understand the relationship between stress and my family's health and safety." One audience member said, "I think more farmers should be exposed to this skit. I notice many farmers do not want to admit to these farm life struggles because they often see it as a sign of failure." Another said, "I thought [the play] addressed many relevant farm life stresses that are not always identified or often denied."
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