The federal and provincial governments will fund the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) for another two years, according to a Jan. 21 release.
The two levels of government will provide $300,000 in total to the program through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
WHY IT MATTERS: Farmer mental health has gained considerable traction as advocates look to spread awareness of both the problem and resources for farmers who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.
Read Also
Manitoba funds look to improve farm equipment interoperability
PAMI’s getting another $25,000 to help farm machinery and their digital systems, across different brands, work together.
The continued commitment means farmers and their families can keep getting free, confidential help when they need support with mental health or stress, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said.
“The MFWP has proven its value through measurable outcomes, helping reduce stress, prevent burnout, and provide tools and support for producers to manage the demands of modern agriculture,” he said.
Heath MacDonald, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food minister, noted that farmers and their families often face unique challenges that can prove difficult for their mental health. By supporting the MFWP, he said, more producers can access help when they need it most.
“This investment is about strengthening resilience and helping our agricultural community thrive in an increasingly complex environment,” he said in the release.
Counselling that understands farm life
The program is made for those working in agriculture and offers counselling from professionals who know farming life and its stresses, like weather, market changes, operational costs, labour hardships or the strain of doing business with your family across generations.
Farming keeps getting tougher and farmers today deal with more complicated problems, said Gerry Friesen, the program’s chief administrative officer. That’s why the MFWP was set up.
There’s no cost for counselling, and the support fits around busy schedules, he added.
The investment boost from the federal and provincial governments show just how needed this service is, Friesen said.
“Ensuring timely, confidential access to mental health services is essential to helping farmers, farm families and agricultural workers stay resilient through the pressures and uncertainties of modern agriculture. This continued partnership strengthens our ability to be there for the people who feed our province and our country.”
A history of helping
Since its launch in 2022, MFWP has steadily expanded. Participation and counselling sessions have increased, which organizers say reflects growing awareness and trust within the farming community. Workshops, presentations and multimedia resources are also under the MFWP’s purview.
“I always say that it’s a good news and bad news story. The bad news is that we need it, but the good news is that people are using it,” Friesen said.
Industry partners welcome support
Merle Massie, executive director of The Do More Agriculture Foundation, which supports MFWP, was thrilled to hear about the new funding, saying the work the program does is “amazing.”
“It’s delightful to see the Province of Manitoba step up behind them and give them that kind of support,” she said at the MFWP booth at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon on Jan. 22. “It’s absolutely critical work.”
With the two-year extension, MFWP will receive $150,000 each year for 2026-27 and 2027-28.
