On October 17, 2018 there was a major change to Canadian law which is very slowly starting to ripple its way through workplaces across Canada. Farms are included in this workplace change but the question is are farmers ready for the change that is about to sweep over them? RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney dives… Read more »
Category: Health & Wellness
Farmer as identity: the heavy weight of trade deals, succession, and scrutiny
I’m worried about the tone of many conversations I’ve had with dairy farmers recently. Following on the heels of the latest trade deal, many farmers are angry, feeling steamrolled, or, quite frankly, are afraid that their very livelihood is being threatened. It’s not just dairy farmers feeling the pinch, of course — farming carries a … Read more »
Mental health first aid funding announced for rural communities
Starting today, if you live in a rural community and want to take a mental health first-aid course, there will be funding provided. The Do More Agriculture foundation (DMAF) along with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will be giving rural community members the opportunity to apply for funding if you’re interested in organizing mental health first… Read more »
Empathy, listening skills key elements of farmers’ mental health program
A new mental health program for farmers called In The Know is being piloted this month in Ontario. Three versions of the program — developed over the past year at the University of Guelph with PhD candidate Briana Hagen and the guidance of a 30-member advisory committee consisting of farmers, veterinarians, mental health experts and… Read more »
Watch for the dangers of heat stress during harvest
Harvest is underway across Canada and the heat is as variable as the crops this year. In parts of Ontario, the third week of August was the coolest (21.2 degrees) since June, according to The Weather Network. Further east, New Brunswick has been hit with high temps. along with a mix of storms, which have… Read more »
Fit Farmer, Ep 5: Beat the heat!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful…ly hot, but it’s still important to stick to your goals and keep getting a sweat on, when you’re already getting your sweat on just standing still. But working out in the heat requires a little more effort to stay safe and to stay on track. There are benefits to… Read more »
Keep your cool: How are you getting work done in extreme heat?
As someone who has already managed a mild heat stroke this summer, let me say this: it happens fast and can have dire consequences. Canada Day here in the Ottawa area pushed the thermometer to 47 degrees C with the humidex. Because we have livestock, some things still have to be done every day, and… Read more »
New data shows rural Canada should be concerned about opioid use
It’s really easy to ignore data or information that we don’t want to hear. In this case, we cannot afford to ignore the impact that opioids are having in our rural communities across Canada. There is new data out today for the Government of Canada revealing that there was almost 4,000 opioid-related deaths in 2017…. Read more »
Fit Farmer — Ep 4: Working mental fitness into your routine
When someone says “take care of your mental health,” do you envision meditation sessions in quiet rooms or the latest yoga tend? While both meditation and yoga can be part of taking care of your headspace, they’re not the only way to do so. The most important thing is that you work to add mental health… Read more »
Put on the plaid for dad this Friday
One in seven Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men. This Friday — leading up to Father’s Day — will mark the fourth year where Prostate Cancer Canada has partnered with workplaces and individuals across the… Read more »
Keeping baby safe: Tips for farming with kids under 2
The joy of farming includes working from home — it’s a short commute, sometimes there’s a hot, mid-day meal (inexplicably referred to as dinner by many), and you get the chance to work with family, including many days being “bring your kids to work day.” The trouble is, farms are also work sites, and dangerous… Read more »
A nap could improve your farming productivity
There are times of the year where hours of sleep are few and the days are long. As farmers and ranchers check on the livestock, plant the crop, and try to cover as many acres in a day as possible, sleep deprivation becomes a consequence of getting the job done. But not getting enough rest… Read more »
Do More Ag Foundation receives $20,000 from Bayer CropScience
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… Read more »
This year’s Ag Safety Week focused on senior safety
Is your farm family ag safe? It’s Canadian Ag Safety Week, and the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association has once again teamed up with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture for the third year of its three-year campaign helping families farm safe. Each of the three years focused on a different generation of the family farm. This… Read more »
Next steps for the Do More Ag Foundation
While running their last venture, Farm At Hand, Kim Keller and business partner Himanshu Singh started a mental health initiative called “Here for Farmers,” a t-shirt fundraising campaign focused on supporting mental wellness in the agriculture community. Outside of the campaign, however, the calls kept coming in, asking for help finding mental health resources in… Read more »