Developing communication skills to improve relationships will be the focus of a two-part virtual workshop hosted by Nebraska Extension’s Women in Agriculture program in June.

The workshop, “Tools for Effective Communication: Allowing You to Enhance Your Relationship with Yourself and Others,” will hold its first session from 1 to 3 p.m. Central time on June 2. The second session is scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. Central time on June 30.

It will be facilitated by Ashley Machado, a mental health consultant who works primarily with agricultural professionals and their families. She will offer tips and tools for effective communication and listening. The workshop will cover how to respond instead of react, and what it means to improve communication skills with not only the most important people in your life, but with the people around you as well.

Machado is an advocate of rethinking the ways that we support mental health in the agriculture industry and specializes in breaking down big ideas and deep feelings into simple, actionable strategies. She applies 15 years of experience to helping individuals and organizations in agricultural to develop the tools they need to maintain good mental health and operate and live fully.

Machado holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s in social work with an emphasis in clinical mental health. She grew up in the dairy industry and now lives in California with her husband, a rancher and almond farmer.

The workshop will be held via Zoom and participants should plan on attending both sessions. Registration is $20 per person.