Andrea Bjornestad

Andrea Bjornestad is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Mental Health at South Dakota State University (SDSU), affiliated with the School of Education, Counseling, and Human Development. Her work focuses on mental health challenges in military families, farm/ranch communities, and rural populations. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of South Dakota, complemented by a master’s and bachelor’s degree from the same institution and South Dakota State University, respectively.

Her academic interests include group counseling, service learning, and marriage and family therapy. Research priorities involve supporting military veterans and dependents, the impact of PTSD on families, secondary trauma in spouses, and farm/ranch wellness. She leads SDSU Extension’s mental health initiatives, addressing rural mental health through outreach and program development.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Counseling, University of South Dakota
  • M.A., Counseling, University of South Dakota
  • B.S., Psychology, South Dakota State University

Dr. Bjornestad has pioneered programs like the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center, funded at over $7 million, and contributed to studies on farmer mental health in the Midwest. Her research often intersects with grant-funded projects addressing agricultural producer well-being and military family resilience. Awards include the 2023 Excellence in Outreach and Engagement and the 2019 E. Gordon Poling Administrator Award.

Her grants span topics from improving officer-soldier communication to mitigating farm stress through training. Notable projects include a $7.18 million USDA/NIFA grant for the North Central Farm and Ranch Assistance Center and a $241k initiative on active listening skills for military personnel. She also coordinates wellness programs for military women and farm communities, emphasizing community-driven solutions.

Dr. Bjornestad’s work is anchored in collaborative teams like the SDSU Extension Counseling and Human Resource Development Program, which integrates research, education, and outreach to address systemic mental health challenges in underserved populations.