The opening general session of the 2026 Southern Peanut Growers Conference focused on an often-overlooked part of farm management: the health and well-being of the people who keep agricultural operations running. University of Georgia public health experts Dr. Stephen Correia, Dr. Jenay Beer and Dr. Christina Proctor discussed cognitive health, caregiving, stress management and practical ways farmers can protect their physical and emotional health.
Correia, a clinical neuropsychologist with UGA’s CARE Center, began by addressing one of the biggest concerns associated with aging—dementia. He emphasized that dementia is not a normal part of aging and explained that Alzheimer’s disease accounts for approximately 60% to 80% of dementia cases. Georgia faces a particularly significant challenge, ranking among states with high rates of Alzheimer’s disease and having a large rural population. The state also relies heavily on family members to provide care, creating significant emotional and financial costs.
While some risk factors for dementia cannot be changed, Correia stressed that research indicates nearly 45% of Alzheimer’s disease cases may be delayed or prevented through modifiable risk factors. Farmers can protect brain health by controlling blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol; avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use; staying physically active; maintaining a healthy diet; preventing head injuries; treating depression; addressing hearing and vision loss; and remaining socially and intellectually engaged. Continuing to learn, try new activities and maintain strong social connections can help build cognitive reserve and support healthy aging.
Beer shifted the discussion to caregiving, an issue particularly relevant to farm families. She shared her own family’s experience with dementia and asked attendees how many had been affected by the disease or were currently serving as caregivers. Many hands went up, illustrating how widespread caregiving is in rural communities.
A 2026 study of 700 farming families found that 99% reported providing some form of caregiving, while 60% were caring for both children and older adults. Caregiving can consume significant time and create financial strain, particularly when time away from farm work is required. Yet Beer noted that farm families often view caregiving not as a burden but as an honor and responsibility rooted in strong family values. Even when caregiving is meaningful, however, it can still be stressful and may cause caregivers to neglect their own health.
Proctor focused on stress and mental health among farmers. Agriculture combines numerous stressors, including financial pressures, weather, labor shortages, physical demands, market uncertainty, isolation and occupational hazards. Many of these factors are outside a farmer’s control, creating what researchers call “stressor pileup.” Proctor emphasized that farmers should concentrate on the areas they can control, particularly their coping strategies.
Healthy coping mechanisms include spending time with family and friends, maintaining faith and peer support, pursuing hobbies such as hunting, fishing or exercise, taking short breaks from farm responsibilities and planning time away from the farm. In contrast, social isolation and self-soothing through alcohol, drugs, gambling or excessive spending can create additional problems.
The session’s central message was simple: Farmers are stewards of their land, families and communities—but they must also be stewards of themselves. Protecting physical health, maintaining brain health, building support networks and taking time to manage stress can help farmers remain healthy and productive while strengthening the families and operations that depend on them.
2026 Southern Peanut Growers Conference photo album