Bayer has announced a $20,000 contribution to The Do More Agriculture Foundation — a not-for-profit organization launched this past winter to raise awareness and promote mental well-being among farmers in Canada.
“We believe that through this partnership we can help increase awareness of mental health issues and break the stigma that currently exists in the agriculture industry,” says Al Driver, Bayer CropScience Canada’s president and CEO, in a news release announcing the contribution on Wednesday. “We see first-hand the challenges that farmers face and encourage them to access these resources to manage their well-being.”
The Do More Ag Foundation was launched in January at FarmTech in Edmonton. The organization was founded by Kim Keller, Lesley Rae Kelly, Himanshu Singh, and Kirk Muyres.
“The support from Bayer will allow The Do More Agriculture Foundation to move forward with larger initiatives that will be able to support more producers across Canada,” notes Keller. “This will create more awareness around mental health and build more capacity within communities across Canada to be able to support community members who may be facing mental health challenges.”
This partnership will allow Do More Ag to create a larger impact and have further reach across Canada with initiatives currently being planned under the organization’s first two pillars: Creating Awareness and Building Community, adds Keller.
The funding announcement by Bayer coincides with Mental Health Week, which runs May 7-13, and is organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Related:
- Foundation to champion mental wellbeing in Canadian agriculture
- Next steps for the Do More Ag Foundation
