Seed Digging

11/02/2025

10/31/2025

Today at Seed Digging, there was a bear on the loose!!! But thankfully the sheriff in town was able to catch him and lock him up….but somehow he got away! If you see him around town tonight, make sure to contact Sheriff B. asap!
Be safe tonight out there folks! You never know who you may run into!!!🎃🎃
Happy Halloween!!!!!

10/29/2025

We want to send a huge shoutout to Cathy Brownell for sharing a powerful personal story and educating students in Coach Lewis’ health classes High School today about the dangers of substance use.
She is a guru at Seed Digging with a huge heart and passion to help those struggling with addictions and substance use.
If you are struggling or have a family member who is, please don’t hesitate to reach out🙏

www.seeddigging.com

10/29/2025

10/19/2025

Congratulations to our office manager Rebeka Rhoades for earning the “Bolting Award”🌿🌸💚

In gardening, “bolting” happens when a plant quickly grows tall and sends up a flower stalk — it’s a visible burst of energy and transformation.

This award is given to staff who show exceptional growth, initiative, and brilliance — rising tall and blooming brightly in their role.

Rebeka, our incredible office manager, is a force! When there is a new task at hand, Rebeka quickly rises to the occasion and figures it out! She is the backbone of our office, a leader, and one whom we all love and could not live without!

We love you Rebeka and are so thankful for you!!! 🌼🌿🌸

www.SeedDigging.com

10/18/2025

Did you know that U.S. Farmers are 2.5x more likely to commit su***de than veterans and 3.5x more likely than the general public ?

Farmers carry not only the heavy weight of providing for their families, but also the generational duty of protecting the land and legacy passed down to them. When the money runs out and the farm is lost, it’s not just a piece of property that’s gone—it’s a lifetime of dreams, identity, and purpose. The grief, shame, and sense of failure that come with that kind of loss have become too much for many to bear, leading some to end their own lives.

💔🙏

—CDC MMWR Report, 2016; VA Su***de Prevention Report, 2022.

10/10/2025

An official said the increase stems from limited access to mental health care, high rates of substance use, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10/08/2025

"Today I taught my students a lesson about kindness using two apples.

Before class, I secretly dropped one of the apples on the floor several times. On the outside, though, both apples looked perfect—shiny, red, and ready to eat.

I held them up and asked the children to describe what they saw. They agreed: “They look the same.”

Then I picked up the apple I’d dropped and told the class I didn’t like it. That it was ugly. That I thought it was disgusting. I encouraged the kids to say mean things too. Hesitant at first, they joined in:
“You’re smelly.”
“I don’t even know why you exist.”
“You’ve probably got worms inside.”

We passed that poor apple around the circle until it had absorbed every unkind word.

Next, we did the opposite. We passed the other apple around and spoke kindness:
“You’re a lovely apple.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Your color is amazing.”

When we were done, both apples still looked the same on the outside.

But when I cut them open, the difference was clear. The apple we had been kind to was fresh and juicy inside. The apple we had bullied? Bruised. Mushy. Broken.

Immediately, the children understood.

That’s what unkind words do. On the outside, someone might look fine, but inside? They carry the bruises we’ve caused.

I shared with them how someone’s words had hurt me just last week. I looked fine, I smiled, but inside I was hurting—just like that bruised apple.

Unlike apples, though, we have the power to stop it. We can teach children it’s not okay to mistreat others. We can encourage them to stand up, just like one little girl in class who bravely refused to say something unkind to the apple.

More hurt happens when no one speaks up. Let’s raise a generation that chooses kindness.

Because the tongue has no bones, but it’s strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words."

[Relax Kids Tamworth]

10/02/2025

For those struggling with grief, this is an excellent podcast from a lady who lost her young son and husband within a 2-year-span of time🙏

Podcast Episode · The Way is Wild · 09/23/2025 · 53m

09/27/2025

Today I greatly enjoyed speaking to the 7-12th grade students at Ozark Mountain School District. They were so respectful, and I had some great dialogue with a few of them afterwards. This was extra special for me because I graduated from Western Grove many moons ago. I remember being where several of them are today and wished someone could have explained to me that there was nothing wrong with my brain. I wish someone would have explained how trauma affects the mind. I wish someone would have shared with me that there were tools that could have helped calm my brain down when I felt overwhelmed.
In some ways I felt like I was speaking to my teenage self today. Truly a surreal feeling.
However, the truth is, the same knowledge or tools we have now in our world, weren’t available when I was a teenager. They are definitely available NOW, and mental health resources are more abundant than they have ever been before.
I’m so thankful for those who have paved the long road before us so we can help this generation. We have tools. We have knowledge. We have people who can help. No one has to struggle alone🙏💙
—Shawna