AROUND THE INDUSTRY
Feeling Stressed? By Stacey R. Jones
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Area Specialized Agent — Central Region Ornamental Greenhouse and Nursery Crops
Let’s face it: The past few years have been extremely stressful.
Life has gotten harder for many of us, between dealing with the COVID pandemic, supply chain problems and other significant world events. In fact, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation study, 52% of adults in rural areas and 61% of farmers/ farmworkers reported experiencing more stress in 2021 than in 2020, and members of the green industry are included in this group. Increased supply prices, supply shortages and labor issues have made growing plants — and profits — very challenging. However, despite these rising stress levels, many in our industry remain reluctant to seek treatment, for two main reasons: the stigma commonly associated with mental health issues and a lack of access to providers. 18 NURSERY & LANDSCAPE NOTES || SPRING 2022
BY STACEY R. JONES
