CMHA-MPS Celebrates Canada’s Agriculture Day

Feb 13, 2024

This February 13 is recognized as Canada’s Agriculture (Ag) Day and CMHA [branch] is joining in to celebrate farmers, farm workers and everyone who contributes to the success of Canada’s agriculture and food industry.

Driven by Agriculture More Than Ever, a platform led by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, Canada’s Ag Day is an opportunity to engage in conversations about food and agriculture and spread awareness about the importance of Canadian agriculture on social media using the hashtag #CdnAgDay.

To join in, Agriculture More Than Ever suggests posting a photo or video celebrating ag, cooking an all-Canadian meal, or posting a “forks up” selfie of yourself holding up a fork. On the Canada’s Ag Day website, they recommend recipes to try with all-Canadia ingredients, and offer videos, gifs and graphics that can be shared on social media to help recognize the significance of Canadian agriculture.

As we bring attention to the positive, integral impact that agriculture has on Canadians, CMHA [branch] also wishes to raise awareness about the mental toll that can come with farm work. The constant demands, pressures and time constraints that come with this line of work often make farmers and producers put their work ahead of their well-being, putting them at an increased risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. Living in rural areas and social stigma also make receiving treatment and accessing services more difficult.

Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO), managed by CMHA Ontario, brings mental health education, counselling services and enhanced community support to farming communities across the province. AgWO’s programming includes:

The Farmer Wellness Initiative, which provides Ontario farmers, farm workers and their families with free, unlimited mental health counselling, that’s tailored to the needs of the agricultural community.
The Guardian Network, a volunteer, peer-driven community of mental health advocates that supports Ontario’s farming community.
In the Know, a mental health literacy program designed specifically for farmers, their families and those who are involved in and/or support the agriculture sector.

AgWO is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Learn more at AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca.