The work of some nonprofit organizations has only increased with the pandemic and the needs that have come from it. An author and expert in the field of trauma speaks at a Montana conference today about many workers' feelings of being overwhelmed.

Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, founder and director of the Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of "The Age of Overwhelm", said there's a cycle for nonprofits in which they become overextended because of structural issues within society, which in turn affects their workers.

"You have individuals who are trying to sustain doing this exceedingly hard work," she said, "but in environments where it's almost impossible to do it or near impossible to do it."

van Dernoot Lipsky said it also can be hard for workers because of their vicarious exposure to trauma over time, or when they work in environments where there's high burnout. About one in nine Montanans works in the nonprofit sector.

The Montana Nonprofit Association's annual GATHER conference is taking place virtually this week and in-person next week in Helena.

Van Dernoot Lipsky said it's important for organizations to reconcile the fact that they won't be able to meet all the needs in their community.

"And when you have these very devoted folks working for you," she said, "we've got to honor and make sure that the work environment is sustainable for them, so that we are not inadvertently causing harm to the very folks who are doing this work in an effort to reduce harm out in society."

Van Dernoot Lipsky said people in the nonprofit industry who are feeling depleted or disheartened should understand that they are not alone.

"One of the messages that I think is very important is for folks to remember that whatever they've got going on, they are in really good company and that they're not alone and it's not just them," she said. "And so, just wanting to make sure that we interrupt that isolation, anywhere we possibly can."

Between rising inflation and the ups and downs of the stock market, it isn't surprising that folks are concerned about their own financial situation. Financial literacy is one antidote to this "money stress," and an Idaho-based credit union is sharing these skills with people young and old.

Frank Alvarez, a branch manager in Walla Walla, Washington, for Lewiston-based Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union (P1FCU), said his passion is teaching financial skills, and he's partnered with the local nonprofit Blue Mountain Action Council to bring them to people for free. He said one topic they emphasize is creating savings, and how it can prevent the need for borrowing money at high interest rates.

"It comes to budgeting," he said, "because while it's OK to lend against your credit and such, there are just ways of doing it without putting you behind."

According to a recent Bankrate survey, 58% of people are concerned about the amount of emergency savings they have - up from 44% in 2020.

Participants in the class have ranged in age from 15 to 65. Alvarez said he'll often teach classes to older people in Spanish. People from that class then bring their children, and he'll teach the younger students in English. He noted that it's important to have these lessons in Spanish.

"I can teach it in English as well," he said. "I just know that there is a higher need in Spanish, and it takes longer on that class itself."

He added that the financial education classes meet once a week for six weeks, with a different topic every week. Those who complete the class get a certificate and money sent to their bank or credit-union account. Participants don't have to be P1FCU members to attend.

Farmers are adapting to numerous shifts in their industry, ranging from price hikes to the effects of climate change. A big change for agribusiness has been moving toward more sustainable methods of production.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, agriculture makes up 11% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The figures can be attributed to such things as the methane gas cows emit, manure management, rice production and burning crop residues.

Antonio Tovar, senior policy associate for the National Family Farm Coalition, said members of the group already have taken action. Aside from rotating land, Tovar observed there are plenty of other ways farmers can be more climate friendly.

"Covering crops is something that they have been adopting for a long period of time," Tovar pointed out. "I will say probably half, if not more, of our members also produce organically. They do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides because it's not a practice that is sustainable."

The efforts come at a time when farmers are feeling the effects of climate change. Throughout the summer and early fall, most of the U.S. has been in a moderate drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of Virginia and the East Coast still are suffering from moderate drought.

In recent years, farming has also faced the challenge of higher land prices. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, farm prices have been on the rise since 2020, with their current value averaging $3,800 an acre.

Tovar feels land needs to be in the hands of people who want to farm, rather than more corporate farming entities, which he contended has led to a problem of devaluing farmers.

"This is not just a problem of the United States but globally, is we have not put enough value into farmers," Tovar asserted. "The profession of farmers and farmworkers has not been valued in the way we should be valuing that work. It's very hard. It's not easy tasks."

He hopes to educate more consumers about the food system and the importance of farmers. He wants people to better understand why a more democratic food system is necessary, so consumers can rally with them to affect those changes.

Whether it's Hurricane Ian, Fiona or other weather disasters, people are being warned about donating to fraudulent charities. Scams have become common during disaster relief efforts, according to national and state watchdog agencies.

Kristen Johnson, director of communications at the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut, shared some red flags: Be wary of any unsolicited text messages, and check what percentage of your donation goes to the cause. Any service fee should be very modest. She also urged people to be careful with crowdfunding websites.

"A lot of people will go on a crowdfunding website and see someone that's giving to charity, and they will think, 'Oh, this is an easy way for me to give my donation.' But, you really need to do your research," Johnson cautioned, "Because not all crowdfunding websites vet the people who are collecting donations."

Instead, she advised people to donate directly to the charity themselves. To prevent losing any money in a possible scam, Johnson recommended using a credit card, so you can dispute incorrect charges. When it comes to donating, she suggested giving to experienced charities who are already working on disaster relief in the area.

As other, equally powerful storms bear down on other areas of the Caribbean and Mainland U.S., numerous charities will be collecting aid for the damage. Though people can find plenty of legitimate places to donate to certain causes, Johnson acknowledged the issue of fake charities is widespread.

"It happens so often," Johnson pointed out. "It's not just natural disasters, but I would point to Ukraine. After the war started breaking out in Ukraine, we started receiving reports on BBB scam tracker of people who thought they were donating to a legitimate charity and realized after the fact that they weren't."

While scams regarding recent storms have not yet been as widely reported, the Better Business Bureau does have an online tool where people can report fishy organizations. Johnson added some people feel a sense of shame about being conned, but confusion can be widespread, and reporting their experience helps prevent others from being taken in.