The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program fills a need

Mar 29, 2023

The month of March has marked a significant milestone for the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program.

Gerry Friesen, the chief administrative officer says the program which provides free mental health support for farmers and their families has now been operating for a year.

He says it's a free confidential process and setting up an appointment is very simple.

"People just need to go to our website (https://manitobafarmerwellness.ca) and they can book an appointment. So it's only the counselor and themselves that know what's going on."

Friesen says over the last year they've had overwhelming support from partners with the program and overtime have seen a significant demand for the service.

"We know that in our health care system these days particularly in mental health there can be some atrocious wait times. We wanted to make sure that we had flexibility in our programs so that people could get on relatively quickly and also could be accommodated evenings and weekends."

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.