PROMISE Team Members
Dr. David Buys, MSPH, CPH
Project Codirector
State Health Specialist, MSU Extension Service
MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion
P.O. Box 9805
Mississippi State, MS 39762
david.buys@msstate.edu
662-325-3060 (office)
662-769-9830 (cell)
Mary Nelson Robertson, PhD
Project Coordinator
Extension Associate, MSU Extension Service
MSU Food Science, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
945 Stone Blvd
Mississippi State, MS 39762
mnr72@msstate.edu
662-325-3200 (office)
Alisha Hardman, PhD
Family Life Specialist, MSU Extension Service
MSU School of Human Sciences
P.O. Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS 39762
a.hardman@msstate.edu
662-325-7839 (office)
Laura Downey, PhD
Associate Extension Professor, MSU Extension Service
MSU School of Human Sciences
221 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson (255 Tracy Dr)
Mississippi State, MS 39762
laura.downey@msstate.edu
662-325-7690 (office)
Amanda Stone, PhD
Assistant Professor, MSU Extension Service
MSU Animal and Dairy Sciences
P.O. Box 9815
Mississippi State, MS 39762
amanda.stone@msstate.edu
662-325-3516 (office)
Je’Kylynn Steen
Graduate Research Assistant
MSU Food Science, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
945 Stone Blvd
Mississippi State, MS 39762
js3749@msstate.edu
Holli Seitz, MPH, PhD
MSU Department of Communication
P.O. Box 9574
Mississippi State, MS 39762
hseitz@comm.msstate.edu
662-325-7840 (office)
Daniel Williams, PhD
Psychologist
University of Mississippi Medical Center 2500 N State St
Jackson, MS 39216
888-815-2005
Other Partners:
- Ann Sansing, Co-Project Director
- Elizabeth G. North, Co-Project Director
- Emily Cox, Tishomingo County
- Beth Youngblood, Lee County
- Romona Edge, Itawamba County
- Rozelia Harris, Office of Rural Health
- Jennifer Pope, Bureau of Narcotics
- Ann Rodio, Department of Mental Health
- Meg Pearson, Department of Mental Health
Publications
News
LOUISVILLE, Miss. -- Jim McAdory wears many hats. On any given day, the Mississippi State University Extension Service agent fields calls from local cattle farmers, teaches kids about the importance of daily nutrition, and tests soil to diagnose front yard and garden harvest problems -- all before lunch.
Based in Winston County, McAdory recently gained an additional role: Mental Health First Aid instructor.
Colby Hardin managed his depression since he was diagnosed at 18. With medication, he kept it under control throughout college, while working at Mississippi State University's dairy farm.
To some people, farming is an idyllic way of life, but producers face some unique stressors that can impact their well-being. In fact, a national poll by the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2019 confirmed that about two in five farmers and farm workers reported experiencing increased stress levels and more mental health challenges since 2014.
The Mississippi State University Extension Service PROMISE Initiative has two upcoming sessions in a webinar series that addresses farm stress, mental health and social structural issues affecting farmers and ranchers. The webinars will be held May 18 and June 15 at noon CST. They are part of the ongoing “R is for Rural and Resilient” series that began in November 2020.
Planting season is underway and with it comes the transportation of heavy equipment along Mississippi’s roadways.
Drivers can help support local agricultural producers and their $7.4 billion contribution to the state’s economy by staying alert while sharing the road with planters, tillers and tractor-mounted sprayer
Success Stories
In this "What's New in Extension," Extension agents implement better safety standards, train to deliver Mental Health First Aid, and receive national recognition. Also, new irrigation and specialists join the Extension family.
