I would like to personally invite you to join us for “Beyond the Program”—an important online event happening on Wednesday, July 24. This session is more than a check-in; it’s a pivotal moment to reflect on what we’ve built together, and to shape the future of AgKnow as we transition from a project-based initiative to a sustainable, community-driven program.
AgKnow began as a response to national research highlighting high rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety among Canadian farmers. But instead of launching services based on assumptions, we took a different path in Alberta. We asked: Is this research reflective of our farmers’ lived experiences? What are the real barriers to mental health support in our province? And most importantly, what will actually make a difference on the ground?
Over the past few years, we’ve learned that the answers from farmers often differ from what top-down research suggests. While stigma and stoicism are frequently cited in studies resulting in communication campaigns and training that struggles to be adopted by the target audience. Our community engagement approach revealed that farmers identify lack of agriculture-informed care, financial constraints, scheduling challenges, and systemic disconnects as the most significant barriers. These are things that we can action in practical ways, and we are already seeing the results.
AgKnow is uniquely positioned to carry this work forward working from personal connections and professional networks, and proven methods that work for Alberta farmers. I know the challenges because I face them everyday, rural Alberta agriculture is my community and my industry, and clearly we know how to make a difference. The stop-start nature of project-based funding has made it nearly impossible to retain staff and maintain momentum. That’s why I am working on a diversified funding model and a new path forward—one that allows us to prioritize, plan, and grow sustainably.
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