The last two years have been strange ones, as the pandemic played havoc with people’s health and tested the world’s economy.
Production of goods and commodities slowed and stopped, supply chains were strained and farmers now find that inputs are scarce and expensive.
Given the strain of living in strange times, the overarching theme for this year’s Ag Days Agricultural show is farmer health and wellness.
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“We’ve had some challenging years with COVID,” said Ag Days co-ordinator Kristen Phillips. “The markets are so crazy right now, the stress level is extremely high and we just want to make sure that everybody is looking out for themselves and their neighbours.”
Stress has always been an occupational hazard in farming, especially in the busy seeding and harvest times. One of the big stress points this far north is getting a crop in the ground as soon as possible and getting it in the bin before the first frost.
“I think we’re becoming more and more aware of the impact of stress on farmers, farm families and the farm community. We certainly know that suicide rates among the farm community (are) a bit higher than among the general public,” said Stephanie Cruickshank, program committee chair.
“We know that debt loads and weather patterns and pushing that frost envelope at harvest are all large contributors to a person’s well-being.”
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Ag Days organizers hope to help farmers deal with the day-to-day and season-to-season bumps that can make life tougher. This means really looking at the person involved in the business of farming and how they can take care of themselves, how they can manage the business and the family and keep themselves at the top of their game.
“We have brought in mental health speakers onto every day of our program this year so that there’s a different spin,” said Phillips. “We are doing some promotional items that will help not only the farm wife but the farm husband.”
Mental health awareness is half the battle in addressing problems. Those who recognize the signs and see it in others should not be afraid to seek or offer help, she added.
“We’re making sure that farmers are checking in and checking in with themselves,” Phillips said. “Just have the conversation. The coffee is always on. Be willing to talk. Check in with your neighbours.”
The theatre presentations include topics about markets, agronomics, global politics and economics that can help farmers and their families make sense of the times. And perhaps the best part will be the opportunity to gather with friends, family and other farmers at the first live show in two years.
“We know this business of agriculture is done in isolation by a demographic that hasn’t always recognized the impact that stress has played on their personal wellness,” Cruickshank said. “We’re learning more, we’re talking more and we wanted to bring that out front and centre. We want to support our community by talking about the business side and also talking about the human side. Without the humans, there is no business.”
The Ag Days Gives Back program reflects that with grants to fire departments. Farm safety is another part of farm health.
“Because a lot of our patrons are farm families, farm communities that we are reaching out to, we actually decided this year to extend the community grant to fire departments across Manitoba,” said Ag Days Gives Back program chair Hannah Minshull.
“Our fire departments are (an) integral part of our rural communities across the province and play a key role in farm safety.”
