I’ve been having this conversation a lot lately, as I’m sure many of you have been too — I’m not sure how we’re at the end of December already. Although the last couple of weeks have shown some true winter temperatures, it has been abnormally warm (and dry) in my area, which I’m convinced has… Read More
Category: Mental Wellness
Change is everywhere in farming and often everything seems to be in flux, whether it’s markets, trade relationships, weather, or family relationships. Depending on the circumstances, farmers react differently to change says Heather Watson, executive director at Farm Management Canada (FMC). “Some people see that as unwelcome and unnerving; others see it as an opportunity… Read More
For the second consecutive year, Thunder Bay, Ont. dairy farmer Peggy Brekveld will lead the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the province’s largest general farm organization. Brekveld was elected president by OFA’s board of directors after the conclusion of the organization’s annual general meeting on Monday, Nov. 22. Mark Reusser and Drew Spoelstra were re-elected as… Read More
The governments of Canada and Ontario are funding two new multi-year mental health initiatives, specialized to support the agriculture sector. More than $7 million dollars through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will go towards The Guardians Network, a new program modelled after the Farmer Wellness Program, pioneered by mental health specialist Deborah Vanberkel. The program will… Read More
The Successors is a RealAgriculture podcast series hosted by Kara Oosterhuis focusing on agriculture from the perspective of the up-and-coming generation. What does it take to successfully farm with your family? How do you tackle multiple roles on the farm, and involvement with commodity groups? Why do we need to celebrate the successes in years… Read More
The Successors is a RealAgriculture podcast series hosted by Kara Oosterhuis focusing on agriculture from the perspective of the up-and-coming generation. What does it take to make critical decisions? How do you navigate developing a leadership style? Why do we sometimes need to take the advice of others, and understand that tomorrow is another day?… Read More
Feeling busy? Join the club. It’s branding season. A cool drawn-out spring in Western Canada has not allowed for many breaks, and spray season is now upon us. Insect monitoring has begun. Cattle is moving to grass. Yard work never ends. Chemical needs to be delivered. The list goes on. Did I mention it’s busy?… Read More
It’s time for another episode of the FitFarmer podcast with co-hosts Shaun Haney and Gary Chambers! The focus this time: cycling. Through the pandemic, demand has been through the roof for items such as skis, snowboards, and golf clubs. Another one to add to the list: bicycles. Whether it be road bikes or mountain bikes,… Read More
The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag), a not-for-profit championing mental health in agriculture across Canada, welcomed three new board members: Amy Vanderheid, Liz Jarvis, and Lauren Martin. Amy Vanderheid, a farmer from Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, is the president of the Chicken Producers Association of Nova Scotia, and co-founded the Maritime Ag Women’s… Read More
It’s that time of the year. Animals are having their young. Frost is leaving the soil. Spring has officially “sprung.” This is such an exciting season. Personally, it’s one of my favourites. Spring feels like New Year’s Day to me, as it feels like a fresh start again. Time to start the garden. Time to… Read More