August 1, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Farm Stress: A Five-Step Approach to Alleviating Stress By Andrea Bjornestad Farm stressors can come from many directions including the agricultural system, farm and family finances, mental and physical health challenges, and relationship difficulties. A healthy response to these challenges involves paying attention to the stressors within all of these areas and determining coping strategies that are useful in each area. 5-Step Stress Management Process To manage stress, it can be helpful to be reflective through a five-step process: 1. Assess Needs and Impacts. Any stressor can impact the individual, family, or farming operation. What is a need resulting from stress in your life? What is size of the impact (manageable or not manageable)? For example, a need in your life might be more or restful sleep. 2. Identify and Access Resources. What is needed to help manage the need you identified? Are the resources available to you? Resources can be tangible (knowledge, creativity, optimism) or material (money, land, equipment). For example, if the need is more or restful sleep, you might try to establish a sleep schedule, take a warm shower before bed, and turn off the TV. 3. Pursue Good-Quality Decisions. Decision-making involves assessing the options and determining how to respond. How should you use your resources? How can you be more open to change? In assessing your options, it can be helpful to become as informed as possible while thinking about the benefits vs. costs. Clarify your values and goals and discuss the options with those you trust (family, friends, professionals). 4. Connect with Sources of Support. An important aspect of decreasing stress is to engage in a support system. What type of support is most helpful for you to pursue quality decisions? Do you need to talk to someone at a bank regarding financial decisions, or would a more appropriate source be a counselor or pastor to discuss personal concerns? Find a support system that fits for you, whether the support is informal (close friends, neighbors, fellow farmers), within your family, or formal support (faith community leaders, medical providers, counselors). 5. Use Effective Coping Strategies. Think about the coping strategies that you use. Are they harmful (alcohol use, tobacco, unhealthy eating), or are they helpful (exercise, mindfulness, watching a movie, family conversations)? Think about matching a coping strategy with an identified need. It also does not hurt to learn new strategies to help alleviate stress. In Summary With all of the factors that cannot be controlled in farming and ranching, using this five-step method for stress management may help farmers become better prepared for tough times. By identifying needs, resources, and sources of support, farmers can identify factors that can be controlled. Establishing a support system and using effective coping strategies are important in self-care and can help improve one’s overall health and well-being. 3x Advertise your Garage Sale to thousands of readers! 624-4429 For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 SPINK TOWNSHIP LANDOWNERS AND FARM OPERATORS: The Spink township supervisors wish to call your attention to two items of roadway maintenance that will make our township in 2017 a safe and beautiful place for all residents. 1. RIGHT OF WAYS: South Dakota codified law sets the width of public roadways at sixty-six feet and requires that this area of road-way and ditches be maintained so that landowners and local governments are not subject to liability in case of accidents. State law also forbids the filling of ditches or farming into the right of way, and we trust that spring planting in 2017 did not encroach into the right of way along the roads in our township. While the law also includes criminal and civil penalties for violation of the right of way, we trust farmers, renters and landowners will all pass the review we must annually make for maintenance of the right of way. We appreciate your cooperation. 2. DITCH CLEANING: Ditches along the roads are maintained for the purpose of keeping water from standing near the road and softening the roadbed which can lead to damaged roads that can be both dangerous and expensive to repair. Operators and landowners should clear the ditches of trees, weeds, rocks, and other debris that interfere with seasonal maintenance. The cost of clearing the ditches is the responsibility of the landowners. If you rent land, please inform the landowner of these stipulations and together devise a plan to keep the ditches clear of debris. Also, please do not dump any material into the ditches along your property. Finally, failure to keep ditches clear of debris may result in the township doing the work and assessing the cost to the landowner’s taxes, but again we trust that this action will not be necessary if everyone strives to keep our roads safely maintained. We hope that all will have a safe and productive harvest season, and we thank you for your attention to these matters. Your Township Supervisors: Randy Erickson, Bruce Klemme, Liz Merrigan Showcase your talent with our busy dining establishment. The report of a tragic accident at a care center in Alcester that has claimed three lives and injured five others. Among the fatalities is a young woman, originally from Vermillion, who had just started working at the facility. Full coverage of the Vermillion Legion 1 baseball team as it competes in the state baseball tournament in Winner. Photos from last weekend’s Vermillion Community Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Turn Yo ur Clutter i nto Cash! ...the Value Ready for an exciting and fulfilling job? Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber Broadcaster Press 7 We are seeking an experienced person to be our Banquet Sous Chef Your primary focus would be banquet work, but you would also assist with line operations as needed. We offer a great wage and our benefits include health, dental, vision, 401K, Aflac options and paid vacation. Apply at wrhospitalityjobs.com OR msnowden@wrrestaurants.com OR Apply in person at Minervas: 1607 E Hwy 50, Yankton SD 57078 We Want PRODUCTION WORKERS LEWIS & CLARK HYDRAULIC CO. has the following openings: • Assembly • Machining – Second Shift – 3:30 pm to 1:30 am Starting Wage $16.55 Top Rate $21.53+ Plus 2nd Shift Premium Monday – Thursday. Experience beneficial, but not required. Excellent wages and benefit package Check us out at www.princehyd.com Please apply at: Lewis and Clark Hydraulic Co. 2210 Kellen Gross Drive • Yankton, SD 57078 Or at www.princehyd.com Post offer / pre-employment physical and drug screen required. And if you want to see: YOU! A report from the July 25 public meeting held by the South Dakota Department of Transportation to discuss proposed improvements to the SD Highway 50 bypass in Vermillion. A preview of the Clay County Fair, which will be held Aug. 10 through Aug. 12 in Vermillion. A story about the comprehensive annual financial report of the City of Vermillion. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 ASSEMBLERS Performs various assembly, sub-assembly, or packaging operations in a production area requiring general physical dexterity, machine monitoring, inspecting and packaging filter components. Performs minor set-up duties to accomplish the preceding responsibilities. 8 Hr. & 10 Hr. Shifts Available 7am-3pm • 3pm-11pm • 11pm-7am a Parker Hannefin Company •Great Pay •Great Benefits •Advancement Opportunity Apply Online Today! baldwinfilter.com It’s a Triple Play! MANUFACTURING POSITIONS IMMEDIATE FULL-TIME and PART-TIME OPENINGS! L&M Radiator, Inc., is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and distributor of MESABI® industrial radiators and heat exchangers that services equipment in mobile construction, mining, agriculture, rail road and oil and gas industries. We are hiring for full-time, 1st and 2nd shift and for part-time employees looking to work up to 30 hours a week but no less than 24 hours a week. 1st shift runs from 7am to 3pm Monday-Friday and second shift runs 3pm to 1am Monday-Thursday. Flexibility to work within these shifts for part-time is needed. Basic math, computer, and mechanical skills are required for the job. ASSEMBLERS Mechanically inclined assembler with 1 year related work experience. Blueprint reading experience a plus. TUBE MACHINE OPERATORS 1 year mechanical work experience needed. Ability to operate machinery necessary. PAINT 9 3 JGP3[QW3DW[3C3ENCUUKHKGF3CF3KP3 V 3 JG3$TQCFECUVGT32TGUU3KV3CNUQ3 T 3 WPU3KP3VJG38GTOKNNKQP32NCKP36CNM3 C 3 PF3VJG3/KUUQWTK38CNNG[35JQRRGT3 H 3 QT3C3EQODKPGF3EKTEWNCVKQP3QH3  3 3CPF3WR3VQ33 R 3 QVGPVKCN3TGCFGTU Industrial paint experience preferred, but will train suitable applicant. STEEL PREP Responsibilities include knowledge of reading blue prints, ability to operate equipment necessary. CUSTODIAN/MAINTENANCE Efficiently and effectively use cleaning materials, supplies and equipment. Can use and manage a riding lawn mower/snow blower. We offer competitive wages, great benefit package, 401K and family orientated business. Clean work environment. Must be 18 or older and have a HS diploma/GED, and ability to pass pre-employment screenings. Don’t Strike Out With Competitors, Get Your Ad in the Broadcaster Press Today! 201 W Cherry • Vermillion, SD • Phone: 624-4429 • www.BroadcasterOnline.com Applications can be completed by going to MESABI.COM