DATE:    9/15/99    
CONTACT: Janis Hunter, (864) 226-1581
WRITER:  Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Extension Meets Dairy Wives' Needs

     ANDERSON -- Dairy wives in the Upstate have more personal
support, more skills for their businesses, and better quality of
life, thanks to a group started by a Clemson Extension agent. 
     In response to the need for stress management skills, Janis
Hunter, a Clemson University Cooperative Extension agent in
Anderson County, began a support group for dairy farm wives in
1995. Almost five years later, the group is still going strong.
     "This has been the best program to help farm wives deal with
today's challenges in our business," said one participant.
     The need for the group was recognized through DairyMax, an
interdisciplinary Extension program designed to incorporate
business management principles into dairy farm operations. One of
several DairyMax initiatives is stress management.
     "It's hard for the average person to imagine how life can be
affected by a milk price cut," said Terry Sudduth, the Extension
associate who coordinates DairyMax. "It can be the equivalent of
a paycheck being cut in half."
     Long workdays keep the women isolated. Their many
responsibilities include home, family and dairy chores, which
range from calf feeding to getting up hay. Often, dairy wives
also keep farm financial records, so they are the first in their 
families to notice financial problems.
     "In the current situation, with volatile prices, low
production and drought, dealing with stress is the first step,"
said Johnny Jordan, an Extension agricultural economist at
Clemson University who directs the Farm Business Management
Association program. "They can't make any progress in finances
until they deal with stress."
     All Upstate dairy wives are invited to the meetings.
Usually, seven to 10 participants attend from eight counties --
Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Greenville, Laurens, Oconee, Saluda
and Spartanburg. Ages range from mid-20s to mid-50s.
     "Janis has a lot of expertise in stress management," Sudduth
said. "She's like a magnet; people are just drawn to her. She's
done a great job."
     The group plans its programs, and Hunter sends out notices
for the quarterly meetings, organizes the programs, and leads
discussions.
     "Over the years, the women have gotten to know each other
and developed strong, supportive friendships," Hunter said.
"Before the group began, they had only been acquaintances.
Support is important, because they are not around other farm
women very often, and non-farm women can't relate to farm
lifestyles and issues."
     She added, "These meetings give them a chance to vent, to 
talk about solutions to problems, to learn something new and have
fun. For example, they share quick meal tips because they are in
the barn or the field until late. Hunter was promoted to
"Distinguished County Agent," a job category established for
outstanding career Extension agents.
     In May, Jordan's program helped fund a retreat for the group
at Edisto Island through a USDA dairy project grant that included
stress management. In August, DairyMax contributed to an
overnight retreat in Newberry that included an evening at the
Newberry Opera House.
     In the fall, Chris Ferland, a new Extension associate, will
make a presentation on the Farm Business Management Association
program. To date, many other Extension programs have been
offered, including Estate Planning and "File It, Find It," which
a group member presented in small segments during a beach
retreat.
     "The morale of the group has improved with every meeting,"
Hunter said. "Now, between meetings they communicate via e-mail."
     Often the meetings include a Dutch treat meal, a sharing
session, 4-H news and an educational activity. Other activities
have included late night dessert after the Anderson County Fair
Junior Dairy Show, farm family health, croquet and bowling.
                              END