This week is the anniversary of the 2019 Bomb Cyclone. Perhaps you’ve
thought of that, perhaps you haven’t. I think this event for Nebraskans will forever be etched in our minds. Some may be reflecting on last year’s calving season being exceptionally difficult in February. Some lost additional animals to the blizzard and flooding in March. Some experienced flooding in homes, fields and property. Some of us housed family and friends. Many of us found different routes with closed roads. Many of us helped others in the aftermath and donated moneyand supplies. Recovery is a process; a year later, recovery is still in process for many in our state.
Traumatic events, whether this one or others we experience in life, can conjur up a variety of feelings within us. Whether anger, sadness, fear, overwhelmed, relief, gratitude, or others, it’s important to honestly acknowledge our feelings. Children may not always know how to express their feelings, but having them draw pictures and talk about them can help. Michelle Krehbiel, extension youth development specialist, said acknowledging feelings is part of the recovery process.
She also said a number of other things to consider in the recovery process. These include: “Engage in healthy ways to cope with stress (exercising, reading, journaling); Being gentle with oneself (show yourself kindness, reflect on how far you’ve come); Accept kindness and help of others (allow others to help and show you their care and concern); Use your social support system (talk with trusted friends,family and members of faith community); and Help others (volunteering can aid healing).”
What Michelle shared regarding ways to aid in recovery is so true for
me. Regardless of the traumatic or difficult things in life, it is important to acknowledge our feelings, talk with others, and find positive ways to manage the stress. I know managing stress and the feelings associated with negative stress aren’t things that most in our
farm community wish to talk about. Yet it’s so important.
I shared some of this during pesticide trainings this winter as well. I know it’s uncomfortable to talk about, yet we may not know what others are going through. I would encourage us to keep checking in with each other. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone; you do matter!
If you wish to talk to someone anonymously, the Rural Response Hotline 800-464-0258 offers free counseling, financial, and legal services. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255. I’m grateful for those who’ve trusted me with their stories-struggles and I’m grateful for those who have listened to and helped me! It takes courage, strength and vulnerability to share and seek help; that is also being ‘Nebraska Strong.’
I haven’t talked much about ARC-IC as an option for the farm bill. However, for those who had farms with 100 percent prevent plant or significant corn or soybean yield losses in 2019, it may be something to
consider. I wrote a blog post sharing more at: https://jenreesources.com/2020/03/06/arc-ic-and-illinois-tool/.
If you missed the Feb. 13, Soil Health-Cover Crop Conference or were unable to attend, the recorded presentations can be viewed at: https://go.unl.edu/n55x.
Nebraska Department of Ag (NDA) Pesticide no longer has an 800 or 877 phone number. If you received a post card for your $25 bill for pesticide training this year, it has an 877 number on the back. Please do not call that number as a scammer has picked it up.
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