Andrea Bjornestad

Education

Ph.D. University of South Dakota
M.A. University of South Dakota
B.S. South Dakota State University

Academic Interests

group counseling, service learning, marriage and family therapy

Expertise

Agricultural Mental Health

Extension Responsibilities

Mental Health Specialist

Awards and Honors

Excellence in Outreach & Engagement, South Dakota State University, 2023

E. Gordon Poling Administrator Award, South Dakota Counseling Association, 2019

Outstanding Extension Faculty, College of EHS, 2019

College of Education & Human Sciences Outstanding Researcher, 2018

Outstanding Early Career Faculty for Research, College of EHS, 2017

Outstanding Professional Teaching Award, North Central Association for Counselor Education & Supervision, 2016

SDSU Sewrey Colloquium Speaker in Research/Scholarship, 2015

Post-Secondary School Counselor of the Year, Minnesota School Counselors Association, 2014

Post-Secondary School Counselor of the Year, Southeast Minnesota School Counselors Association, 2014

Student Practitioner Award, International Association of Marriage & Family Counselors, 2009

Grants

South Dakota State $14,965 Barry (PI) 2023 – current
University SPARC Grant
Effects of SD FIT for Improving Diet, Exercise, and Mental Health in Volunteer Firefighters.
Role: Investigator

UMASH/CDC/NIOSH $850,500 Bender (Center PI), Becot (Project PD/PI) 2022 – current
Identifying Individual and Contextual Determinants Underpinning Farmers’ Help-Seeking Behaviors and Their Role in Shaping Mental Health Outcomes
Role: Co-PI

USDA/NIFA $7,187,000 Rudolphi (PI) 2020 – current
North Central Farm and Ranch Assistance Center: Engaging Programs to Support Producer Wellbeing
Role: Co-PI

USDA/South Dakota $500,000 Walsh & Pontious (PI) 2021 – 2023
Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Farm Families in South Dakota
Role: PI

USDA/NIFA $19,262 Skidmore (PI) 2021
Farm Stress Employee Training and Technical Assistance Team
Role: Consultant

USDA/NIFA $3,000 Skidmore (PI) 2020
Farm Stress Employee Training and Technical Assistance Team
Role: Consultant

USDA/NIFA $25,000 Skidmore (PI) 2019
Farm Stress Employee Training and Technical Assistance Team
Role: Consultant

USDA/NIFA $720,000 Schoch (PI) 2018 – 2020
Tatanka Ki Owetu “The Renewal”
Role: Co-PI

North Central Regional $24,683 Henning-Smith (PI) 2018 – 2019
Center For Rural Development
Innovative Models of Mental Health Care for Farmers and Farm Families
Role: Co-PI

United States Army $241,644 Bjornestad (PI) 2017 – 2020
Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
Improving Officer-Soldier Relationships Through Active Listening Skills Training
Role: PI

North Central Regional $24,973 Bjornestad (PI) 2017 – 2018
Center for Rural Development
Rural Mental Health: Understanding Stress and Depression in Farmers and Ranchers
Role: PI

SDSU Research/Scholarship $1,950 Prosch (PI) 2017 – 2018
Support Fund
The Impact of Physical Activity on Stress and Depression in Farmers
Role: Co-PI

SDSU Women & Giving $2,000 Bjornestad (PI) 2015 – 2016
Called to Serve: A Military Women’s Leadership Conference
Role: PI

SDSU Scholarly $3,000 Bjornestad (PI) 2015 – 2016
Excellence Fund
Developing a Wellness Inventory for Military Service Members & Veterans
Role: PI

SDSU Research/Scholarship $1,800 Bjornestad (PI) 2015 – 2016
Support Fund
The Relationship Between Symptoms of Depression and Social Support in Farmers
Role: PI

SDSU Women & Giving $1,500 Bjornestad (PI) 2014 – 2015
Called to Serve: A Women’s Wellness Series
Role: PI

Bush Grant, Winona State $15,000 Cigrand (PI) 2013 – 2014
University
Institute for Educational Innovation
Role: Co-PI

Learning and Community $500 Bjornestad (PI) 2013 – 2014
Engagement (LaCE) Curriculum Grant
Service-Learning in Professional School Counseling: Conducting a Needs Assessment
Role: PI

Area(s) of Research

supporting military veterans and dependents, impact of PTSD on military veterans and dependents, secondary trauma in military spouses, farm/ranch family wellness, rural mental health