Youth

4-H Youth Are Beyond Ready

Brandy VanDeWalle

From fairgrounds to classrooms, gardens to robotics labs, 4-H youth in Fillmore County are proving they’re not just ready for the future – they’re Beyond Ready. During National 4-H Week, celebrated Oct. 4–10, 2026, clubs share how 4-H equips young people with the skills, confidence, and resilience to lead in a world full of opportunity and change. 

As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H empowers 6 million young people nationwide with hands-on learning experiences through clubs, camps, school programs, and community events. Through the Beyond Ready initiative, 4-H will help prepare 10 million youth for work and life by 2030. 4-H provides opportunities for youth to develop public speaking skills, lead community service projects, practice financial literacy, learn to use Artificial Intelligence responsibly, raise livestock, & compete in STEM challenges. 

Nebraska Extension and its team of educators, volunteers, and mentors deliver 4-H programs that help youth learn by doing. From “showcasing their projects at the county fair” or “organizing food drives to support local families”, youth are learning skills such as teamwork, resilience, and communication—skills that will serve them in their career and for life. 

“National 4-H Week is a powerful reminder that young people are already leading in extraordinary ways,” said Jill Bramble, President & CEO of National 4-H Council. “Through 4-H, youth discover their strengths, build lifelong career and life skills, and create opportunities for real change in their communities. They aren’t waiting for tomorrow — they are stepping up today and are Beyond Ready.” 

During National 4-H Week, 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, and supporters will wear green, participate in community service projects, and share their stories on social media using #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek. 
 

To learn more about local 4-H programs or get involved, contact Fillmore County Extension at 402.759.3712 or Clay County at 402.762-3644 or visit fillmore.unl.edu or clay.unl.edu.

ABOUT 4-H 

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs reach nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. Through the Beyond Ready national initiative, 4-H aims to increase that number to ten million youth annually by 2030. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3,000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to have the goal of being a leader; two times for likely to report living life with intentionality and purpose; and three times more likely to participate in community service. 

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Harvest Safety

Brandy VanDeWalle

It is hard to believe that harvest has started for some. As a reminder with harvest comes more traffic on county roads and other stresses for farmers. It never fails, that equipment can break, there are delays at the elevator and extra-long hours can all add extra stress to farmers. It is important to carefully slow down and realize the many hazards you are being exposed to during harvest.

Photo by melissa mayes on Pexels.com

An Iowa State Extension publication, Harvest Safety Yields Big Dividends points out that injuries can occur by taking shortcuts to perform routine tasks, not getting enough sleep or regular breaks, or failing to follow safety practices. Some injuries occur when operators are pulled into the intake area of harvesting machines, such as balers, combines, or corn pickers, and many injuries occur from slips or falls around these machines. Exposure to powerful machinery is highest during the harvest season. The equipment must be powerful to effectively handle large amounts of agricultural commodities. When equipment plugs, NEVER try to unplug it with live equipment, instead always disengage power and turn off the engine before trying to manually clear a plugged machine. Regular maintenance of these machines can also make harvest go smoother. Also, lots of accidents happen by the operator slipping and falling off equipment.

In the same publication listed above, there are several tips for reducing fall hazards: 

  • Always keep all platforms free of tools or other objects.
  • Frequently clean the steps and other areas where workers stand to service, mount, and dismount, or operate the machine.
  • Wear well-fitting, comfortable shoes with non-slip soles.
  • Use grab bars when mounting or dismounting machinery.
  • Be sure your position is stable before you work on a machine.
  • Recognize that fatigue, stress, drugs or alcohol, and age may affect stability.

Other helpful tips during harvest are to keep kids away from machinery. Tell them the dangers that can occur and not to play near the equipment, even when it is shut off; you never know when they will be playing in hidden areas of the equipment. Operators should double check where kids are before moving the equipment. Too many accidents can occur when youth are in the path of equipment out of the operator’s view. Operators of all equipment should check in regularly and let someone know where you are. Keep all guards on equipment; it is there for a reason! 

It is also important for the public to understand the increased traffic on public roads and be patient. The greatest threat raised between farm equipment and passenger vehicles is the difference in speed. Farm equipment runs at an average speed of 20 miles per hour while passenger vehicles average 60 miles per hour. If the motor vehicle overtakes a tractor, the impact is comparable to a passenger vehicle hitting a brick wall at 40 miles per hour. If the tractor and a car, mini-van or pickup collides head on, the impact is the same as hitting a brick wall at 60 miles per hour.

Farmers can reduce the chances of an accident by using warning lights, reflectors, and reflective tape on their machinery to keep passenger vehicle operators aware of their presence on roads. Some farmers may choose to install supplemental lights to increase visibility. It also is a good idea for producers to keep off heavily traveled roads as much as possible and avoid moving equipment during the busiest part of the day.

Some farm equipment, such as combines, can take up more than half of the road. Even so, it is up to both drivers to be aware of their own limitations and adjust accordingly. Farmers should not take up more space than is needed, but other drivers should try to provide as much room as possible. It is a good idea for passenger vehicles to turn off onto side or field roads until larger machinery has passed. Whenever possible, farmers should use an escort vehicle such as a pickup to precede or follow large machinery and equipment on public roads. More than one escort may be necessary. Ideally, the escort vehicle would have extra warning lights and a sign indicating oversized or slow equipment ahead or following.

Have a safe harvest!

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National Farm Safety and Health Week

Brandy VanDeWalle

With harvest just around the corner, farmers will soon be putting in long hours to bring in the crop. As National Farm Safety & Health Week approaches, it serves as an important reminder for everyone in rural communities to slow down, stay alert, and make safety a priority during this busy time of year.

Celebrate National Farm Safety and Health Week 2026 with AgriSafe by joining 12 free educational webinars taking place September 21–25. This year’s theme, “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow,” highlights the importance of protecting the health, safety, and well-being of farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families. Learn from experts on a variety of agricultural safety and health topics throughout the week. Register for one webinar or attend them all!

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.agrisafe.org/nfshw/

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. In 2023, workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing experienced a fatal injury rate of 24.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Transportation incidents, including those involving tractors and ATVs, were the leading cause of fatalities. More than 21,000 nonfatal agricultural injuries resulted in days away from work between 2021 and 2022.

Some things one can do now as we prepare for harvest are ensuring you have a fully charged and proper fire extinguisher in the combine. With the dry conditions we’ve had, conditions increase the chances of combine fires. One of the most common entanglement hazards is PTO (power take-off) units. Within three-fourths second (the average time it takes to react), more than one complete person will have been wrapped around the shaft before he or she could jump out of the way. Always keep all safety shields and guards in place and always stay clear of moving parts to avoid this hazard. One should also disengage equipment and shut off the engine before working near a PTO and do NOT wear loose-fitting clothes, dangly jewelry, long shoelaces, or scarves near them.

Farm safety goes beyond protecting farmers and hired employees. Because farms are often homes as well as workplaces, children, family members, visitors and emergency responders can also be exposed to agricultural hazards. Even motorists traveling rural roads face risks when sharing the road with tractors and other large equipment.

Agricultural workers may encounter a wide range of hazards, including:

  • Machinery and vehicles: Tractors, ATVs and other equipment can cause serious injuries.
  • Grain bins: Grain engulfment can result in suffocation.
  • Chemicals and gases: Pesticides, fertilizers, fuels and gases produced by manure or stored crops can be dangerous.
  • Dust: Farm dust may contain mold, bacteria and livestock waste materials that can affect respiratory health.
  • Livestock: Animals can cause injuries, while contact with livestock can also expose workers to diseases.
  • Falls: Ladders, equipment, grain bins and other elevated areas create fall hazards.
  • Electricity: Large equipment contacting overhead power lines can cause electrocution.
  • Weather: Extreme heat, cold, storms and other environmental conditions can create serious health risks.
  • Noise: Long-term exposure to loud machinery can contribute to hearing loss and tinnitus.
  • Sun exposure: Working outdoors increases exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the risk of skin cancer.

Farmers may also face increased risks as they age. The 2022 Census of Agriculture reported the average age of U.S. agricultural producers at 58.1 years. Changes in vision, mobility, reaction time and cognition can make already hazardous tasks more challenging. Another concern is that farmers frequently work alone in remote locations where cell service may be limited. When an accident occurs, this can delay emergency assistance.

Farm safety requires awareness and planning. Take time to identify hazards before beginning a task, use appropriate protective equipment, follow equipment safety procedures and make sure family members and visitors understand areas that may be dangerous.

Agriculture is essential to our communities, but no job is more important than returning home safely at the end of the day. A few extra minutes spent identifying and preventing hazards can help protect farmers, families, employees and everyone who visits or travels through rural communities.

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Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days Scheduled August 11–14

Brandy VanDeWalle

Nebraska soybean growers, crop consultants, agronomists, and agricultural professionals are invited to attend one of four Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days taking place August 11–14 across the state. Hosted by the Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Extension, these educational events will provide the latest research-based information to help producers make informed management decisions for the 2026 growing season. The first three field days will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 5:30 p.m., and will feature local research, production updates, and opportunities to visit directly with Extension specialists and industry representatives.

The series begins Monday, August 11, at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte. Participants will learn about results from the Soybean Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) competition before exploring current research on weed control, irrigation, fertility, insects, diseases, and ongoing research plots. Attendees will also receive an update on the North Platte soybean crush facility along with information from representatives of the Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association.

On Tuesday, August 12, the field day moves to the Herbig Brothers Farm near Central City. The evening will include Soybean TAPS insights, management strategies for iron chlorosis in soybeans, and an in-field discussion on late-season irrigation management. The third evening event will be held Wednesday, August 13, at the Mike Gropp Farm near Crete. Participants will learn about Soybean TAPS and tour research plots demonstrating methods for managing soybean gall midge, one of Nebraska’s most challenging soybean insect pests.

The final field day will take place Thursday, August 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC) near Mead. This expanded program will highlight three years of Soybean TAPS results and include a presentation by Garrett Ruskamp of Pioneer Farmer on five common management mistakes that can reduce farm profitability. Additional sessions will cover current soybean disease and insect concerns, biodiesel opportunities presented by MEG Corp, and an afternoon tour of the Soybean TAPS research plots with Extension specialists and researchers.

There is no cost to attend, and a complimentary meal and refreshments will be provided each day thanks to the support of the Nebraska Soybean Board and Farm Credit Services of America. Advance registration is appreciated at least two days before the selected event to assist with meal planning. Participants may register online at go.unl.edu/soydays or by calling 402-624-8030.

For additional information, visit enreec.unl.edu/soydays, contact the Nebraska Soybean Board at 402-441-3240, or Nebraska Extension at 402-624-8030.

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Helping Others

Brandy VanDeWalle

One of the things I love about rural communities is the amount of help and support given when people go through difficult times. I can attest to that, on several occasions. For example, when my mom had her stroke in 2011, neighbors, coworkers and friends stepped up to provide support, send cards and helped when I was needing to make trips to visit her. Also in 2011, 2012 and 2014, I was laid up with ankle surgery and very blessed that many people in the community helped watch my girls, made meals for our family, and showed many other acts of kindness.  A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorites, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Of course, that doesn’t mean to be miserable, rather that you will be fulfilled when you make a positive difference and live a life of fulfillment and kindness towards others.

A part of the 4-H pledge is to “pledge one’s hands to larger service” and “heart to greater loyalty”. These are the values we try to instill in our 4-H youth. It is great to see youth helping each other during 4-H workshops and programs and friendships being made. There is research that shows how helping others has benefits for themselves. A professor, Thomas G. Plante from Santa Clara University, and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry at Stanford University has found that his students who attend a spring break trip working with people in poor and marginalized areas managed stress better than those who did not attend trips. He believes the research finding is due to a matter of perspective. Additionally, when helping others, you generally experience more empathy, compassion, and solidarity with others as well.

As we approach county fair season, it is important to remind adults, as well as youth of 4-H’s core values of helping others with our hands. It might improve their stress management abilities and make for a smoother fair for all involved. Rather than seeking out problems, remember the 4-H pledge and help others. You’ll likely be happier and create a better experience for everyone around you. So, instead of only worrying about your exhibits or animals or trying to get others in trouble, consider helping a fellow exhibitor and fill one’s bucket with water or call that person and tell them their animal is running low on water. If an exhibitor is struggling to know where to check-in their static exhibit, offer to help them.

By practicing these small acts of kindness, you might be surprised how much less stressed you and those around you will be. I am certainly appreciative of 4-H parents who can help my daughters when I am busy with my job. “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”  If we practice these principles, we can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

County Fair Schedules

You can find the 4-H events for the Clay and Fillmore County Fairs on each extension website or social media. Locally, go to fillmore.unl.edu or clay.unl.edu.     

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Dairy Month

Brandy VanDeWalle

June is Dairy Month, so I decided to share fun facts and information about the dairy industry this week. The Dairy Alliance has great resources and educational materials, including videos showcasing how today’s dairy farms operate. Dairy farmers know that healthy and happy cows produce more high-quality milk, so their cows’ well-being and comfort are their top priority.

Let’s explore some fun facts about dairy, starting with the fact that all 50 states have dairy farms, and 97% of dairies are family-operated. Also, it takes 5-7 minutes for a cow to be milked and dairy cows drink about 30-50 gallons of water daily! An average dairy cow weighs about 1,200 pounds and eats about 100 pounds of feed each day. There are 6 breeds of dairy cows: Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire and Milking Shorthorn. Most people picture Holstein cows when they think of dairy and Holstein’s spots are like fingerprints – no two cows have the same pattern of black and white spots!

If we look at the nutritional benefits of dairy, first about 73% of calcium available in our food supply is provided by milk and milk products. Milk is packed with essential nutrients including protein, calcium, and vitamin D and chocolate milk’s combination of fluids, carbohydrates, and protein helps rehydrate and refuel muscles after a workout. To get the same amount of calcium provided by one 8-ounce glass of milk, you would have to eat 4.5 servings of broccoli, 16 servings of spinach, or 5.8 servings of whole wheat bread.


Next time you enjoy a delicious pizza or satisfying ice cream cone, appreciate the dairy farmers who work 365 days a year to provide you with a safe, nutritious, and wholesome product.

(Sources: American Dairy Association & the Dairy Alliance)

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Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day

Brandy VanDeWalle

The Nebraska Extension Weed Management Field Day at the South-Central Ag Lab (SCAL) includes on-site demonstrations of new technology and new herbicides. Tours focus on weed management in Nebraska crops. Field experiments provide information for herbicide-resistant weed control options with various herbicide programs. There are two tours which focus on weed control in soybeans, sorghum and corn. Tour descriptions are listed below:

2026 Tour One: On-Site Demonstration of New Technology/Herbicides for Weed Control in Soybean and Sorghum

  • Comparison of Herbicide Programs for Weed Control in Soybean: Unbiased comparison of herbicide programs of different companies for weed control in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and Enlist soybean. New herbicides and multiple herbicide-resistant soybean will be discussed for the management of herbicide-resistant weeds. 
  • Evaluating Ecorobotix ARA Precision Sprayer for Target Weed Control in Soybean and Herbicide Savings: Ecorobotix ARA has developed a precision sprayer for target weed management. It will be compared with broadcast herbicide application. Herbicide savings and weed control will be evaluated. 
  • Evaluating the Critical Time of Hairy Vetch Termination for Control of Palmer amaranth in Sorghum and Popcorn: Hairy vetch termination timing will be evaluated after planting sorghum for integrated management of Palmer amaranth in integration with herbicide programs in sorghum.

2026 Tour Two: On-Site Demonstration of New Technology/Herbicides for Weed Control in Corn 

  • Comparison of Herbicide Programs for Weed Control in Corn: Unbiased comparison of herbicide programs by different companies for weed control in Roundup Ready/LibertyLink corn. New herbicides in corn will be discussed. 
  • Integrated Management of Volunteer Corn in Enlist Corn: Volunteer corn is a major weed in corn-soybean cropping systems. Project will demonstrate how to control volunteer corn in Enlist corn using inter-row cultivator, Assure II, and a premix of glufosinate (Liberty) + quizalofop (Assure II).  
  • Effect of Row Spacing and Residual Herbicides on Palmer amaranth Control: The project will evaluate effect of row spacing (15 versus 30 inch) and overlapping residual herbicide program on control and seed production of Palmer amaranth


For more information and to register go to https://agronomy.unl.edu/fieldday/.

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Celebrate Beef Month

Brandy VanDeWalle

As we enter the spring and summer months, nothing smells better than a delicious, juicy hamburger or steak on the grill and being able to barbecue outside with friends and family. It’s no surprise then that May is National Beef Month!  The beef industry is especially important to Nebraska’s economy. According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska is first in commercial cattle slaughter, second in beef and veal exports and second in commercial red meat production. According to the Nebraska Beef Council website, Nebraska has the top three beef cow counties in the U.S., including the nation’s No. 1 cow county – Cherry County, with nearly 166,000 cows. Custer County is No. 2 (100,000) and Holt County is No. 3 (99,000). Also among the top counties in the nation is Lincoln County at No. 12 (69,000).

The Nebraska Beef Council also reports that nearly 5 million head are finished and marketed in Nebraska, a state with a population of 1.9 million residents. January 2023 figures illustrate that Nebraska continues to have far more cattle than people. With over 6 million cattle in the state, cattle outnumber people by more than 3 to 1! The 1.8 million cows combined with the nearly 5 million head that are annually fed in Nebraska total nearly 6.8 million cattle. That’s over 3.5 times more cattle than people in Nebraska!

Photo by Mohamed Olwy on Pexels.com

So, why is Nebraska, the beef state?  It has a unique mix of natural resources and according to the Nebraska Beef Council, cattle turn grass from 24 million acres of rangeland and pasture, more than one half of Nebraska’s land mass, into protein and many other products for humans. Land that is grazed allows more people to be fed than otherwise possible and more than one billion bushels of corn are produced in Nebraska, of which 40% is fed to livestock in the state.

Now that I have explained how and why the beef industry is important to Nebraska, let’s explore the health benefits of beef. Beef is a good source of zinc, iron and protein and there are 29 cuts of beef that meet the government labeling guidelines for being lean. In fact, a 3-ounce cooked serving of lean beef (which is about the size of a deck of cards) provides 10 essential nutrients and about half of the daily value of protein in about 170 calories. According to recent research from Purdue University, the cuts of beef considered lean can be included as a part of a heart-healthy diet to support cardiovascular health and has consistently demonstrated that the nutrients in beef promote health through life.

With May being beef month, I want to remind you that the 2026 Nebraska Beef Passport launches May 1 in locations across the state that are known for offering outstanding beef. This year’s participants include 30 restaurants and 28 meat processors or meat shops. This is the 5th year of the program which encourages people to visit the featured locations and earn points towards prizes offered by the Nebraska Beef Council.  Check out nebeef.org.

If you would like more information on beef production, you can view our Nebraska Extension website beef.unl.edu. Our Extension experts have a variety of articles from beef nutrition to reproduction to lease information. If you would like recipes or tips for preparing beef, you can also check out Nebraska Extension’s food.unl.edu website. There are some great tips on saving money when purchasing beef and links to the Nebraska Beef Council’s website which has great recipes as well.

Enjoy some beef today! 

Programming, Youth

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day

Brandy VanDeWalle

Recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America, Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® (PAF Safety Day) provides age-appropriate, hands-on educational lessons primarily designed for children ages 4 to 13 years old. Since the program’s start in 1995, more than 1.9 million individuals have been reached in 45 states, two U.S. territories, and nine Canadian provinces.  Trained PAF Safety Day Coordinators partner within their community, using one of the three delivery modes, to customize their PAF Safety Day selecting from more than 30 safety and health topics with hundreds of activities and demonstrations to meet the needs of the youth in their area.

Statistics from those impacted by a farm-related injury or death are sobering. Many know someone who was impacted by a farm accident that in many cases could have been prevented. Therefore, I feel so passionately about conducting the Annual Progressive Safety Day each year. The Progressive Agriculture Foundation provides safety and health information to rural communities that need it, which is why I’ve teamed up with them. The mission of Progressive Agriculture Days is simple – to provide education, training, and resources to make farm and ranch life safer and healthier for children and their communities. The vision is that “no child become ill, injured or die from farm, ranch and rural activities.”

Locally, since I have been involved with a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day in Geneva for 20 years. We have grown from approximately 60 participants to nearly 100 youth from surrounding counties. This half-day event involves many volunteers and local sponsors to make the program what it is today. Every year, business staff or volunteers help teach the hands-on activities. In addition, area FFA chapters assist in delivery of sessions and guiding youth participants to each session.

Current 1st through 6th graders are invited to attend Progressive Agriculture Safety Day on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva, NE.  Youth will participate in a variety of events designed to help them be aware of safety in potentially hazardous situations in and around rural and agricultural settings, including electricity, hearing safety, pipeline safety, online safety, bike safety, firearm safety, food safety & healthy lifestyles  NE Extension hosts this event in Fillmore County, along with Shickley, Fillmore Central, Exeter-Milligan-Friend FFA chapters, 4-H, W.I.F.E., and Fillmore County Emergency Management. Local sponsors as of the time of this published article include Fortify, Cornerstone Bank and Farm Credit Services.

Early registration forms and $5 are due April 27th; forms can be downloaded at fillmore.unl.edu. After April 27th, registration is $10/youth. For more info or to register, call 402-759-3712 or email brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.

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Taking the Time to Listen

Brandy VanDeWalle

With wildfires impacting communities across Nebraska—and knowing friends who have been deeply affected—I began looking for ways Nebraskans can support one another, especially when it comes to mental health. In that search, I found a timely and meaningful article by Michelle Krehbiel titled “Taking the Time to Listen.” I’ve included it below, as its message applies not only to wildfires, but to any disaster situation where support, empathy, and connection are needed most.

Springtime in Nebraska can be a roller coaster. 70 degrees and sunny one day to blowing snow and 30 degrees another day. Mother Nature appears to either be angry or simply confused. The weather extremes this year include drought, intense winds, and temperature swings. Recently, parts of the state have experienced uncontrolled fires which have left some Nebraskans with destroyed property, loss of potential income, and even loss of life. The most recent natural disaster in Nebraska reminds us of the uncertainties of daily living. 

Photo by Bilel Naili on Pexels.com

Nebraskans pride themselves on taking care of one another when they are faced with loss and adversity.  This generosity has been witnessed by people who donate money, their time, or work to bring awareness about a specific issue or event. The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019 flood are two examples of how individuals have come together to aid and care for their neighbors, friends, and communities. 

People coming together to help each other is critical in taking the beginning steps of recovery from a disaster. Specifically, having someone to talk to is a key component of recovery from trauma. There are times when you are in the role as the listener and at other times you may be the person needing the listening ear. If you are the person in the role as a listener here are some tips to increase your effectiveness. 

Be there for others. This may be a physical presence, or it may be in the form of a phone call, video chat, or text message. Invite others to share with you about their day or experience. A text, of “How are you doing?” can send the message I care about you, and I am interested to know what is happening with you. 

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

Listen and watch. A good listener asks open ended questions like, “How are you feeling?” or “Tell me more about your experience.” Good listeners allow the person to talk. Asking follow-up questions that encourage the other person to speak shows that you are interested and are attentive to what the other is saying. “Tell me more” is comment that you can make to enable a person to continue to share. 

Sharpen your communication skills. Does your body language say you care or are paying attention? Maintaining appropriate eye contact and physical touch can communicate your interest in what the other person is saying. Being comfortable with silence in the conversation can also show respect to the other person. It can allow them the time and space they need to process thoughts and feelings. Resist the urge to offer quick advice or pass judgement. Often this type of communication is not helpful or productive. It can lead to negative feelings. 

Normalizing Feeling and behaviors. A person who experiences trauma from a disaster can often feel a vast range of emotions in an hour, day, or a week. There is no “right” way to feel after an intense experience. As a listener you can acknowledge the feelings of the person by saying, “It sounds like you are feeling….. or “That must have been difficult/frustrating/frightening” or “That sounds like a common reaction to…”  

Take care of yourself. Being a good friend, neighbor, or community member can be tiring. Listening to someone’s story or trauma can be upsetting, disturbing, and simply hard. These thoughts and feelings are common. When one is empathic it is easy to take on the feelings of others which can lead to your own feelings of being overwhelmed. Self-care is important when engaging in listening. Activities like self-reflection, mediation, exercise, or participating in a hobby are examples of self-care. By taking his time for yourself will help you be able to give of yourself more fully.

The next couple of months more storms will be on the horizon. Engaging in listening for those impacted by the latest storms will be just one way to assist with recovery, practice kindness, and build community. 

* This article is based on Peer Listening written by the Sea Grant: Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium