ABOUT US

The Farmer Focus Project is a research initiative under the University of Guam College of Natural & Applied Science's Cooperative Extension and Outreach. The project takes a look into the lives of farmers in the Pacific region and coordinates outreach efforts to help alleviate their stresses. This study is supported by the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP). The project also has local community partners, like the Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center and the Farmers Cooperative Association of Guam, to name a few.

The project began in late 2021 when surveys were first conducted with agricultural producers. Since then, Farmer Focus has evolved and split into research and outreach components.

Though we have goals in different areas of our project, our three main objectives include raising awareness about farmer stress and mental health, developing easily accessible resources for agriculture communities in the Pacific region, and improving the overall well-being of the people we serve. 

Most of the resources that were made for farmers cater specifically to stateside agriculture communities. Having the Farmer Focus project in our region allows for the development of resources and activities tailored for our local farmers. 

In 2022, we hosted a Farmer Focus Conference, a Mental Health First Aid Training, and a Wellness Talks workshop. In 2023, we hosted our second Farmer Focus Conference and a Mental Health First Aid Training in Palikir, Pohnpei; along with various wellness workshops and bootcamps. We plan to host more outreach activities, specifically wellness workshops, that touch on topics of interest in the agriculture community. 

Please see our 'Events' page for more information.