GFA's 'Growing Stronger Together' initiative builds network of peer-to-peer support

ATLANTA, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- One year after CareSource provided funding to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), the partnership is building a statewide network of trained community members equipped to support Georgia farmers and rural communities through practical, peer-based mental health resources.

CareSource's investment has enabled GFA to bring COMET (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) training to Georgia through its Growing Stronger Together farmer wellness initiative. To date, GFA has trained 32 Georgia COMET Trainers representing agricultural, rural health and community organizations across the state. The funding also supports resources that help trainers identify local opportunities and put their training into action within their own communities.

"Farmers are the backbone of Georgia's economy, but many do not have access to resources that can support their health and well-being," said David Donohue, president of CareSource Georgia. "What they often do have are relationships with neighbors, coworkers and fellow farmers, built over years of working side by side. CareSource is thrilled to partner with GFA to support Growing Stronger Together, with the shared goal of helping farmers get help long before a crisis emerges by leveraging these trusted networks."

Growing Stronger Together was created by GFA following a 2022 study conducted in partnership with the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center and Mercer University School of Medicine. The study identified significant mental health and health care access challenges among Georgia farmers. Forty-two percent of farmers surveyed reported suicidal thoughts in the previous year, and more than 60% of first-generation farmers said they had considered suicide. Nearly 60% reported lacking access to basic medical care, and most said they could not access a psychologist.

GFA developed Growing Stronger Together in response to those findings, connecting Georgia farmers and rural communities with practical, accessible mental health support and resources. GFA then identified COMET, originally developed by the High Plains Research Network in Colorado, as a training model that could support conversations about stress and mental well-being in agricultural and rural communities.

"County Farm Bureau offices are a trusted resource for Georgia farmers, and Growing Stronger Together adds another layer of support available within the agricultural community," said Andrew Schmidt, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture. "By equipping people who already know and understand their communities with practical tools and resources, we can build a network of support that meets farmers where they are."

GFA works with trainers, community partners and local agricultural networks, including county Farm Bureau offices, to identify opportunities for COMET trainings and help trainers connect with farmers and agricultural communities.

"As a veteran, advocate and Black woman farmer, I know that reaching people where they are often starts with representation. Sometimes people need to see themselves in someone else's journey before they can imagine what is possible for themselves," said Connie Baptiste, COMET Trainer. "COMET gives me another way to advocate, talk openly about mental wellness and help people understand they don't have to 'fix' someone to help. Often, the most important thing we can do is start the conversation and let someone know they are seen and that they matter."

GFA has also worked with Mercer University School of Medicine's Rural Health Sciences Ph.D. program to provide guidance on program evaluation, technical assistance and opportunities to share learning across the network.

Community members interested in becoming a COMET Trainer, attending a training or learning how to bring COMET training to their community can contact GFA at info@gafoundationag.org.

About CareSource

CareSource is a nonprofit, managed care organization making health care accessible to 430,000 Georgians. The organization offers comprehensive health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare, to improve its members' health and well-being. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address social drivers of health, prevention and access to care. For more information, visit CareSource Georgia Plans or follow CareSource on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders for success in Georgia agriculture. GFA works with Georgia Farm Bureau and other Georgia agricultural and educational organizations to achieve its mission. The foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers, funds leadership development programs and supports projects that increase the public's understanding of agriculture. To make a tax-deductible donation or learn more about the foundation and its programs, visit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture website.

Media Contact:
Olivia Biggs
Media Relations Specialist, CareSource
olivia.biggs@caresource.com
740.398.6622

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SOURCE CareSource