Minister MacAulay announces launch of new initiative to promote mental wellbeing among producers in Canada

Mar 07, 2025

Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The life of a farmer is demanding and comes with different challenges and uncertainty. This can have a direct impact on mental health and our producers deserve access to mental health support, along with resources and tools that are tailored to their needs.

Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the launch of the new $3-million Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative (PMWI), delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in partnership with the Privy Council Office's Impact Canada. This 3-year initiative aims to bring forward collaborative solutions that use creative, data-based approaches to help improve the wellbeing of producers; reduce the stigma around mental health in agriculture; raise awareness; and offer the support producers need, when they need it.

The PMWI is now open for application intake until June 3, 2025 at 2 pm EDT. For-profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals registered to do business in Canada are encouraged to apply.

The initiative will use a 3-stage approach to move innovators through the process of proposing, developing, and implementing their solutions. At each stage, a jury, made up of subject matter experts, will recommend which innovative solutions move to the next stage and receive funding. Two grand prize winners will ultimately receive up to $500,000 each to scale their solutions, grow their impact and increase the potential to support the wellbeing of more producers across the country.

Source : Canada.ca

Video: predictive weed Management saves on herbicide costs and increases yield potential

Gowan Canada is partnering with Geco Strategic Weed Management to help Canadian growers take a strategic approach to weed control through data-driven prediction and planning.

Geco’s technology uses data and AI to map where weeds have been over the past five years and predict where patches are likely to emerge next season. These insights allow farms and retailers to plan ahead and target actions in the most challenging areas.

“Our technology enables the question: if you could know where your most problematic patches are and where they are spreading to, what could you do differently? That’s what our technology makes possible,” said Greg Stewart, CEO of Geco. “Many of our farms are already using our prescriptions along with Gowan products, so this collaboration is a natural next step.”