News and Press

Fort Valley State University Extension presents research during professional conference

by ChaNae Bradley

---

Extension employees conduct presentations during the 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. 

Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) Cooperative Extension employees traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, November 17-19 to present original research and information to attendees of the 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC).

ChaNae Bradley, FVSU senior communications specialist, partnered with Dr. Anna Scheyett, coordinator for the University of Georgia’s Cooperative Extension Behavioral Health Team, and presented a breakout session called Stress Management Help for farmers. The session focused on the results from a focus group where Bradley and Scheyett interviewed Black farmers about stress and suicide. 

The project is funded by a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant. Both Bradley and Scheyett collaborated and discussed findings. They also provided resources to help farmers deal with stress. In addition, Latasha Ford, research communications manager, and 

Dr. Yolanda Surrency, technology curriculum specialist, presented a poster called, “Uplifting Voices and Improving Communications and Digital Skill Sets Through Writer’s Playground.” Writer’s Playground, implemented in 2022, is a free creative writing and technology course that fosters students’ creative thinking and writing. High school students in middle and south Georgia have benefited from the program. 

Furthermore, Terrence Wolfork, FVSU assistant Extension administrator for communications, conferencing and technology and Surrency, conducted a breakout session called, “Promoting Technology Adoption and Awareness to Invigorate Rural Entrepreneurship.” 

The presentation focused on the role that FVSU Extension is playing in helping underserved communities address barriers to technology awareness, adoption and access to broadband technologies.

For more information about Extension programs at FVSU, visit ag.fvsu.edu or follow us on Facebook or X .  

---

• Categories:
• Outreach

• Tags:
• Extension

---