Science by the Slice is a podcast from the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education (PIE Center) that explores the science behind issues affecting our daily lives, encompassing public health, agriculture, and natural resources. Experts discuss the science of complex challenges in our society, then, through analysis and storytelling, piece together the motivations that reveal the way people think about, form, and act on opinions regarding these pivotal issues. The views, information, or opi ...
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Rural Community Health Science, Policy, and the Future: Episode 2
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42:03The 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety brought together several researchers and Extension professionals working at the intersection of agricultural health and safety research, policy, and outreach communication. In this episode, two speakers from the meeting reconvene to share a…
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Rural Community Health Science, Policy, and the Future: Episode 1
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41:13The 2024 State of the Science Meeting from the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety brought together several researchers and Extension professionals working at the intersection of agricultural health and safety research, policy, and outreach communication. In this episode, three speakers from the meeting reconvene to share…
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Introducing New PIE Academy Course: Disaster Management and Communication for Agriculture and Natural Resources
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12:45In this episode of Science by the Slice, Dr. Angie Lindsey and Aly Morrison introduce a new course from PIE Academy, the PIE Center’s professional development education component. Dr. Lindsey and Morrison explain the unique needs of agricultural and natural resource (ANR) communities, especially amid the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and how this…
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The Blue Revolution: Aquaculture in Florida and Beyond
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32:50As the global population surges towards the 10 billion mark, the challenge of meeting the escalating food demands sustainably is an ever-pressing concern. In this episode of Science by the Slice, Dr. Ken Riley from NOAA Fisheries, Office of Aquaculture shares how aquaculture is a growing industry in the U.S. and many other parts of the world, to me…
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Looking Back and Looking Forward: 2024 EP
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15:16We've made it to Season Four! We're beginning our fourth season of Science by the Slice as we have the past two seasons by looking back and looking forward. That is, revisiting clips from last season while examining one theme and then looking forward to what we have in store for 2024. This episode incorporates the theme of patience. You’ll hear cli…
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Tick Talk: How Researchers Are Using Online Search Behavior to Understand Tick Prevention
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30:08Ticks are often brushed off as a seasonal nuisance, but our latest episode of Science by the Slice, "Tick Talk," challenges our assumptions and sheds light on the vital importance of public education. Learn from Dr. Lauri Baker and Cheng-Xian Yang as they share research on public perceptions and behaviors related to ticks and linkages between outdo…
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Protecting Wild Spaces: Balancing Development and Conservation in Florida
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33:07While the cities of Florida are a bustling hub of commerce and culture, nestled between them lie areas of breathtaking natural beauty, teeming with diverse ecosystems. One organization at the forefront of efforts to protect and connect these valuable spaces is the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, represented by Alex Freeze, their Corridor Coll…
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Taking Care of Your Pets During Hurricanes and Times of Crises
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26:15When disaster strikes, it can feel hectic trying to ensure the safety of our loved ones. But often, in the rush and chaos, our pets can be overlooked. In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Lawrence Garcia, Clinical Assistant Professor in Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida, discusses the importance of including pets in our disaster plans. Dr…
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Cybersafety: Exploring Safety Strategies for Cybersecurity
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28:53With great power comes great responsibility, and in the world of technology, that means being prepared for cybersecurity threats. In this episode, Dr. Lauri Baker, co-founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement, highlights the importance of having a robust cybersecurity plan, educating yourself and your employees, and investing in the rig…
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Loving our Landscape: Why our Landscaping Matters
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40:28A single tree in your yard can remove up to 26 pounds of CO2 from the air. This is the equivalent of removing emissions from a vehicle that travels 11,000 miles per year. In this episode, we explore the value of residential landscapes and the numerous benefits they provide. Hear from two guests in this episode as they share their expertise and know…
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Python's Paradise: Invasive Species in Florida
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44:15Pythons are an invasive species in Florida and present a threat to native mammal species. With an average of 22 to 84 eggs per clutch, the python population is thriving, but what can be done? In this episode of Science by the Slice, you will hear from, Paul Evans, a science writer and Outreach Coordinator for the University of Florida’s Fort Lauder…
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Learning to Lead (Featuring Jonathan Dain): Leadership Development in Agriculture and Natural Resources
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27:33You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. The speakers …
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Learning to Lead (Featuring Christy Chiarelli): Leadership Development in Agriculture and Natural Resources
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24:10You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. The speakers …
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You may have heard these words from the legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi before, “leaders aren't born, they are made.” But have you ever wondered; how does one make a leader? In this series, you will hear from two guest speakers that represent two different leadership institutes that do just that— help to make leaders. Our guest spe…
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Straight From the Source: The Lived Experiences of Producers During the Pandemic
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37:16We’ve all been there- you’re in need of a particular product or food item and it’s not on your store shelves. While this scenario has always played out for consumers, it’s likely that this happens to you more now than it did before COVID. But alas, we now can reason the cause to be from “supply chain disruptions,” a term more widely used by the pub…
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Looking Back and Looking Forward: 2023 Edition
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19:30Here we go with season 3 of Science by the Slice! In the first episode of the year, we like to look back on the previous season to revisit some segments from our guests while focusing on one theme. This episode is all about the concept of change and people’s willingness to change. Looking forward, you’ll hear about some of the upcoming topics we ha…
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Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Amanda Wickman, program director for the South…
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Of Unknown Etiology: Understanding Kidney Disease in the Workforce
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24:58Agricultural workers provide the food we eat but often face a unique combination of occupational health concerns including increasing incidence of unexplained chronic kidney disease, or chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). With evidence from a recent Ag Health Study (AHS) in the U.S. directly linking kidney disease to pesticide exposu…
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Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Whitney Pennington, outreach coordinator for t…
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Approximately 150,000 to 200,000 migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families travel and work in Florida annually, many of which deal with issues such as vulnerable immigration status, housing insecurity, and lack of access to health care. The Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF) works in communities composed of low-income, Latinx and o…
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My How, My Why, My Work: Pacific Northwest
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18:17Promoting health and safety in agriculture is a long-term mission, and you can find amazing stories and impacts from the people working toward this goal, all you have to do is ask. My How, My Why, My Work is a subseries within The Essential Worker series from Science by the Slice. This episode features Sarah Fish, graphic designer for the Pacific N…
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Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Nationally, the fatality rate for farmers and ranchers is nearly seven times the average rate of all workers. In this series of Science by the Slice, titled The Essential Worker, we’re exploring agricultural health and safety. Episode one features Dr. Ashley McLeod-Morin, Ass…
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Hurricane Preparedness: No Time to Wait (Update)
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28:00With Hurricane Ian making its way north in the Caribbean, we’re airing a segment from a 2021 episode titled Hurricane Preparedness Part 1: No Time to Wait. In this episode, Craig Fugate, former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), discusses disaster management, the famous Waffle House Index, and hurricane preparedness an…
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Nutrition: Learning from the Guilt-Free RD
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24:26Episode two of this series on nutrition features Melissa Joy Dobbins, a licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, also known as the Guilt-Free RD. Dobbins is the CEO and host of the Sound Bites Podcast, which provides a wealth of knowledge focused on sound science, smart nutrition, and good food. Learn about Dobbins’ unique approach to commun…
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Nutrition: Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice
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22:07In episode one of this series focused on nutrition, hear from Karla Shelnutt, associate professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences at the University of Florida and Extension Nutrition Specialist. Shelnutt shares how she uses her role at the University of Florida and the land-grant model to research, educate, and communicate…
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Environmental Contaminants: Microplastics
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38:22On any given day, you may see plastic pollution in a number of places, such as on the side of the road, or in a body of water. But, have you considered all of the plastic waste that you cannot see? Microplastics – a term that includes plastic particles that are 5 millimeters or smaller – are ubiquitous in the natural environment from our soils to t…
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Environmental Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals
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33:44It’s been long known that human activities can have lasting impacts on the natural environment, ranging from soil and water quality to ecosystem functioning. In this series of Science by the Slice, we’re exploring environmental contaminants and the threats they pose to life on Earth. Episode 1 features two University of Florida researchers: Dr. Lin…
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Understanding Substance Misuse in Agriculture: Reducing Stigma
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28:23In part two of this series exploring the topic of substance misuse in the agriculture industry we will hear from Dr. Heidi Radunovich. Dr. Radunovich is an associate professor in the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences at the University of Florida and licensed psychologist. Her research interests include families, stress, disaster, r…
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Understanding Substance Misuse in Agriculture: See Something, Say Something
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28:32In this series we are going to explore the topic of substance misuse in the agriculture industry. This episode features Dr. Christine Chasek, Associate Professor and Chair of the Counseling Department at the University of Nebraska Omaha and Associate Workforce Director of the Behavioral Healthcare Center of Nebraska. Dr. Chasek has strong rural roo…
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BEE-hind the Scenes: A Family-owned Honey Business
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22:37Thomas Honey is a family-owned honey purveyor based out of Lake City, Florida, and has a long-standing reputation for quality products. In this episode, you’ll hear from Mike Thomas, who started Thomas Honey in the 1960s, and Kortney Stewart, his granddaughter, who now runs the packaging portion of the company. Mike and Kortney share how the compan…
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BEE-hind the Scenes: Honey Bee Research and Beekeeping Basics
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22:43In this episode we will hear from two honeybee experts, Jamie Ellis, professor of entomology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, and Lauren Roberts, public engagement technician at the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab. These guests share about honey bee research being conducted at UF and the basi…
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion has a place in education, service, research, and leadership. Join us as we hear from Scott Angle, Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida (UF), as he speaks on ways the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) aims to become more inclusive of Floridians across th…
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In this episode John Diaz, assistant professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida, shares how his roll at the university allows him to lead initiatives like the Coalition of Florida Extension Educators for Latino Communities (CAFÉ Latino) and the Alliance for Inclusion…
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Different experiences and perspectives can increase the overall impact that an organization can have. Join us as we hear from Andra Johnson, dean of UF/IFAS Extension, as he speaks about his experiences working and studying at land-grant universities and some of the changes that have taken place throughout his life in the field of extension. Johnso…
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During some of the most contentious fighting of the of the Civil War, Congress passed an innovative piece of legislation that reshaped the way Americans thought about higher education. In this episode Carl Van Ness, the official University of Florida Historian, shares the history of land-grant universities, who they were formed to serve, and how th…
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As Science by the Slice embarks on season 2, we thought we would look back on season 1 and revisit some episodes, except with a twist. You’ll hear clips from season 1 and learn some takeaways about trust and trust in science. Looking forward, you’ll get a teaser of our next series focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and lea…
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Red, White and U-pick Farming: Agritourism Part 2
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26:05In mid-October, the PIE Center took a field trip to a local agritourism operation, Red, White, and Blues Farm in Williston, Florida. This operation is a family-owned and operated 100-acre u-pick blueberry, peach, strawberry, sunflower, and zinnia farm. In part two of this series on agritourism, we hear from Jeff Manley, director of agritourism at H…
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Agritourism is the best of both worlds, combining entertainment and education. In this episode, we hear from Joy Rumble, assistant professor of agricultural education, communication, and leadership at The Ohio State University, as she shares her knowledge and research findings related to agritourism. Rumble discusses tips and tricks for managing yo…
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In part two of our series on science communication, hear from a social media influencer who went from a career in fashion in Beverly Hills to science communicator on the topic of farming. Michelle Miller, also known as Farm Babe, will share how she uses her social media platform to educate the public about issues related to science, agriculture, an…
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Feed Your Curiosity: Science Communication Part 1
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18:50In part one of our series on science communication, we explore how new ideas and discoveries in science make their way from scientists to the people who could benefit from them. You’ll hear from an expert as she gives listeners an inside look at the behind-the-scenes of science communication. Dr. Lisa Lundy, professor of agricultural communication …
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Bloom Goes the Dinoflagellate! Understanding Harmful Algal Blooms
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35:27In 2018, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) along Florida's southwestern coast killed 2,000 tons of marine life and caused $8 million in business losses. This HAB was a red tide, which is a rapid increase of the algal species Karenia brevis, a marine dinoflagellate common in the Gulf of Mexico. However, HABs can be caused by many different algal s…
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Bonus Episode: Bloom Goes the Dinoflagellate! Understanding Harmful Algal Blooms
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50:46In this episode, you'll hear clips from the interviews that didn’t make the main episode of 'Bloom' Goes the Dinoflagellate! The speakers featured in this episode are Betty Staugler, the harmful algal bloom liaison with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Sea Grant, and Ed Phlips, professor of algal physiology and ecolog…
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The Science of Heat and Our Bodies Part Two: Beat the Heat
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25:07Athletes work hard year-round to compete at the Olympics. Athletes at this year’s summer Olympics faced an unexpected obstacle in Tokyo— the heat. Continuing our conversation around the topic of the science of heat and our bodies, part two of this month’s podcast series will discuss heat-related illnesses in athletes. This episode features special …
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The Science of Heat and Our Bodies Part One: Effects of Heat on Human Health
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27:02Heat-related illnesses are preventable; however, more than 600 Americans succumb to extreme heat every year. In part one of this series focused on the science of heat and our bodies, we are joined by two experts on the topic of heat-related illnesses. Linda McCauley, dean and professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory Univers…
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The World’s Deadliest Animal: Mosquito-borne Illnesses
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31:04Did you know that with over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide, mosquitoes are the deadliest animal, causing more than 1 million deaths from mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, malaria and dengue? Continuing our conversation around mosquitoes, part two of this month’s podcast series will discuss outreach and…
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Play Your Part: Mosquito Control in Your Community
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26:58In part one of our series focused on mosquitoes and mosquito control, we will hear from Dr. Eva Buckner, assistant professor and medical entomology extension specialist at the University of Florida’s Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. Dr. Buckner provides training and information to UF/IFAS extension and staff, the UF community, and the public …
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Hurricane Preparedness Part 2: How Do Buildings Feel Hurricanes?
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29:02Forty percent of the hurricanes that strike the United States hit the state of Florida. That’s why building codes in Florida are updated to account for the damaging effects of hurricane-force winds. In this episode you’ll learn what goes into making buildings more hurricane-ready. In part 2 of this series focused on hurricanes and natural disasters…
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Hurricane Preparedness Part 1: No Time to Wait
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27:26The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1, 2021. Are you and your family prepared? In this episode of Science by the Slice, we hear from hurricane preparedness experts about disaster management, the famous Waffle House Index, and hurricane preparedness and recovery. We will hear from Angie Lindsey, point of contact for the Ext…
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Rural Mental Health Part 1: Perspectives from the Farm
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1:06:16Rural and agricultural populations are more stressed than the general population. So how do we know when this stress becomes dangerous? May is Mental Health Awareness month, and this episode of Science by the Slice delves into stories and research surrounding mental health in agricultural and rural populations. First, we hear from Marshal Sewell, t…
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Rural Mental Health Part 2: Aftermath of Natural Disasters
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25:08Continuing our conversation around mental health awareness, episode two of this month’s podcast series will discuss the impact of natural disasters on mental health in agricultural and general populations. We will speak with University of Florida assistant professor Dr. Angie Lindsey as she shares stories of her work with the Extension Disaster Edu…
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