HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania agriculture professionals, including dairy and beef producers, are invited to the 2022 Industry Breakfast on Mental Health in the Animal Ag Industry. The industry breakfast will be held on Wednesday, August 10 during the 2022 Ag Progress Days. The event will include a free breakfast and conversation about real-time issues facing Pennsylvania agriculture, including mental health and farm stress. The event is free but pre-registration is required at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/industry-breakfast.

The Center for Dairy Excellence, Center for Beef Excellence, Center for Poultry & Livestock, PA Beef Producers Working Group, and Penn State Extension Dairy and Livestock teams are partnering to host the industry breakfast.

“Ag Progress Days is an ideal time to talk among friends and get solid, useful information about how stress hits us all in agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “While we’re together, talking about new technology, management methods and challenges that impact our farms’ bottom lines, we hope you’ll join us to talk about the real costs of stress and where to turn for someone who knows agriculture, knows what you’re facing and can truly help.”

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding will provide opening remarks, and Dr. Ginger Fenton from Penn State and Gina Pighetti, retired professor from the Tennessee State University, will share the findings of the 2022 Animal Ag Mental Health Survey.

View more details about the event:

• When: Wednesday, August 10 from 7-9 a.m.
• Where: Special Events Building at Ag Progress Days
  2710 W. Pine Grove Road
  Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865
• Cost: Free, but individuals must pre-register.

To register for the event, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/industry-breakfast or call 717-346-0849.

The breakfast is being offered as part of a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture effort, funded by a USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Grant. The Center for Dairy Excellence, Center for Beef Excellence, Center for Poultry & Livestock, PA Beef Producers Working Group, and Penn State Extension Dairy and Livestock teams are partnering to host the industry breakfast.

For more information about the FRSAN grant or to learn more about the initiative, contact the following partners:

• Center for Dairy Excellence – 717-346-0849
• Center for Beef Excellence – 570-687-3150
• Center for Poultry & Livestock – 717-651-5920
• PA Beef Council – 814-623-2698
• Penn State Extension Livestock Team – 484-614-7183
• Penn State Extension Dairy Team – 724-662-3414

–Emily Barge, Center for Dairy Excellence