Exploring an Incubator to Decrease Stress in Farmers Occupational Stress and Depression in Beginning Kentucky Farmers

The purpose of this 6- month study is to determine the feasibility of a start-up incubator intervention designed to decrease occupational stress and depression for beginning Kentucky farmers. The objectives are to: #1) test the feasibility of a mentorship and start-up incubator intervention on depression in beginning Kentucky farmers using questionnaires administered prestudy, mid-study, and post-study; #2) explore associations between mentorship, occupational stress and depression in beginning Kentucky farmers using specific survey questionnaires to guide future research. This study's results will provide valuable data to agriculture and occupational health researchers. The data will illustrate the impact of mentorship and community support on improving depression and occupational stress of beginning Kentucky farmers.