Greetings from northwest North Dakota. I am a woman in agriculture, and the women in my life have been in this industry for generations. I’m the 4th generation on our land, and my kids are the 5th.  Everyone has their role here on our ranch. Because we are a cow/calf …

Read More

Hello everyone, my name is Erin, and I am a grain farmer in northern Alberta. I’m so thankful to share some stories about my agricultural community with you. My biggest takeaway for you is that community is intentional; it doesn’t happen by accident! Farm life is a unique job with …

Read More

As a kid, I clearly remember my dad saying, “How can I be out of money, I still have check blanks!”  I realize he was joking but, in many ways, farmers aren’t making a lot of financial jokes these days. The American Bankers Association has stated that only 58% of …

Read More

Agriculture is often romanticized as a life of rolling fields, rosy sunrises, and the satisfaction of hard work. And while there’s truth in that imagery, the reality is much messier—especially when you factor in the loneliness that often comes with life on the farm. When you’re standing outside in the …

Read More

When most people think about nutrition, they often link it to weight loss—especially at the start of a new year. But for farmers, nutrition is about so much more than the scale. It’s the foundation for physical health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Proper nutrition can optimize your capabilities, help …

Read More

I didn’t grow up in agriculture. My parents had a more typical schedule and I spent my summer vacation at the community pool.  When I married into a multi-generational farming family, I stepped into a world that looked very different from the one I knew. Though our everyday lives didn’t …

Read More

When we talk about boundaries in the agricultural sector, we are often talking about literal boundaries, as in fence or property lines. But did you know that boundaries can also mean talking about, employing and sharing your limits with the people around you to keep you physically and emotionally safe? …

Read More

What are you thankful for? It’s a question that often comes up at this time of year, especially as many of us gather with family and friends around the Thanksgiving table. While celebrating gratitude during the holiday season is a heart-warming tradition that can boost your spirits, practicing gratitude regularly …

Read More

Our Story Begins at the County Fair From the woolly backs of sheep at our local county fair to the deep connections we’ve built on our family farm, our story runs deep with tradition. For my husband and I, it all started at that very county fair, where we met …

Read More

My name is Erin and I am a grain farmer in northern Alberta. My husband and I live and farm alongside my parents. Our kids are the fifth generation to live on the homestead. I grew up living beside my grandparents, helping with the farm and garden, and it is …

Read More

Leadership is an important component of any business and leadership in agriculture is no different. Leaders on the farm or ranch must be able to guide their teams, strategically make plans, make difficult decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances often out of their control. Additionally, effective communication while problem-solving, managing …

Read More

Happy June fellow readers! I hope the crazy month of May has treated you well. It always seems likeMay is here and gone in a flash. As we transition from May into June, I want to reiterate the importance of mental health awareness. I think many people understand and pay …

Read More

May is the month where the flowers and trees are (hopefully) in full bloom, the weather is giving everyone a taste of what summer holds, and it hosts a day celebrating the mothers in our lives. In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I will be writing (and perhaps bragging) the …

Read More

This blog entry contains material that could be of a sensitive nature including child loss, grief and a farm accident that may be triggering for some individuals Tracey Cross-Childs remembers the day that grief enveloped her entire family as her precious son, Jamie, died on June 5th, 1997. She shares …

Read More

The ability to deal with conflict is a rare skill. Humans are hardwired at birth for fight or flight that defaults to passive or aggressive behaviors. The ability to communicate through that conflict is a vital skill that even the best communicators can continually hone. Personally, I am far better …

Read More

Tis’ the season! The time of year when so many talk about their new year’s resolutions. For some, it excites them. They envision a new and better future for themselves and their operations. But for some, it is a time spent dwelling on what went wrong and the challenges that …

Read More

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… The holiday season is upon us and with it comes many wonderful moments as well as busyness, high expectations we put on ourselves and gathering with family and friends. There are inevitably times where it is all just a little much.  Our …

Read More

Have you had those nights where your body has been physically exhausted, but sleep escapes you? It might be worries about the market, the crops, the health of your livestock, or it may be random racing thoughts that have no tangible value but keep you awake. Sleep problems can include …

Read More

Many years ago, I went through a very difficult work experience and a colleague approached me, recognizing that I was struggling with my mental health. At first, I wanted to deny the struggle I was going through and worked harder at hiding it. The shame I felt made me want …

Read More

I’ve always been preferential to cats. Which is a good thing, considering how they seem to just show up at your door when you live in the country. We call her Snowy because we don’t know what she called herself before she adopted us. This morning, I found her curled …

Read More

If I come out and say whatever you do in the next minute, do not think about a white elephant, most of us will immediately think of a white elephant. The more we try not to think about something the higher probability that we will think about it (Winnerman, 2011). …

Read More

Have you ever been told ‘it could be worse’ when talking about a problem you’re dealing with personally or on the farm? Sometimes it can feel like people are critical, judgmental, or just don’t get it. This can cause us to withdraw and isolate, which means we don’t get the …

Read More

Nourishing your brain is essential for the mental health of farmers. The brain requires energy (from food!), proper hydration and a variety of nutrients to function at its best. When your brain is nourished, you are better able to manage mood, focus and decision-making. Nutrition can enhance your resiliency when …

Read More

Have you ever felt ‘blah,’ neither good nor bad, just lacking in passion and motivation? Then you might have experienced something called languishing. Imagine that mental wellness exists on a spectrum: on one end is the state of ‘flourishing or thriving,’ the middle is ‘doing a-okay’ followed by languishing, and …

Read More

As the month of April is now upon us and May is fast approaching, we can start to feel the pressures of getting everything prepped and itching to get in the fields to prepare for planting. May is seen as one of the busiest months of the year for farmers. …

Read More

The myths we perpetuate in the world of agriculture come from a place of good intentions, but often lead to actions that can be damaging for our mental health. In this blog post we would like to tackle some of the myths that are prevalent in agriculture.  The farm comes …

Read More

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘informed’ as ‘to have or possess knowledge, to be educated, or knowledgeable’. Some synonyms of ‘informed’ are enlightened and illuminated. In the medical field ‘informed’ is often paired with ‘consent’ – which is considered to mean that someone has all of the information and knowledge to …

Read More

As we enter the new year and recover from the holidays, I’m recognizing the value of bothconsistency and change in children’s lives. Although the kids love the holidays, it is also a periodof dysregulation. All their schedules were disrupted, and they weren’t eating all the “right”things. This is all ok! …

Read More

The season of Christmas is traditionally a time filled with joy, gatherings, gifts and celebrations.  However, when you are in a season of grief this can, understandably, be a very difficult season.  The most well-known form of grief is the one we talk about when we refer to having lost …

Read More

Farmers carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They have endless stresses and pressures and are often navigating things not in their control like commodity prices, the weather, and livestock health. We also deal with other life challenges like losses and grief, changes and transitions, and parenting and …

Read More

If you’ve ever been told that you “can’t open the dill pickles yet – they won’t be ready”, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Sometimes, there are different levels of “readiness”. Of course, you could open the dill pickles – it’s just that they won’t be at their best. They’ll …

Read More

As we near the end of summer, big things are starting to happen. Between local county fairs, making hay, kids starting school and preparing for harvest season– life is about to get pretty busy. It is no secret during this time of year we prioritize what needs to happen versus …

Read More

Our Story In 1995 we (Al & Diane) began farming, full of hope and ambition after a rewarding stint in the Canadian Air Force. Landing on the farm that was situated neatly between the farms of both of our parents in Shetland Ontario, we were able to get a healthy …

Read More

In the hours and days when it’s dry enough, between the periods of rain that have seemed more frequent and of longer duration than last year, i weed and till my garden plot and try to get beans and lettuces and cucumbers planted. Over coffee breaks at work, my colleagues …

Read More

Imagine that your home and farm— the essence of your work and family– were all destroyed by a tornado. This was the reality that Rebecca Simon and her family faced and had to find their way through. They are not alone, countless farmers have had to overcome devastating losses, injuries, …

Read More

Where to Turn? Farming is hard. We have no control over the weather, no control over our input costs, and little control over the final price received. Sometimes our industriousness is lost on those that utilize the products we determinedly and diligently produce. Farmers are more likely to experience chronic …

Read More
Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to face them alone.Tracey has recently completed Ag Informed Therapy training and is now officially certified in Ag Informed Therapy. With deep farming roots (her dad and grandfather were both farmers!) and over 25 years as an educator, Tracey brings a wealth of experience supporting families, children, and adults through life’s toughest transitions—grief, illness, divorce, and more.Using a compassionate, client-centered approach, Tracey blends EFT, CBT, and a strengths-based approach to walk alongside clients—whether in-person or virtually.She’s here to help you feel seen, supported, and strong. 💬#MentalHealthInAg #AgInformedTherapist #FarmStrong @wetalkwegrow@nsfa_fane ... See MoreSee Less
Twenty-five percent of farmers reported experiencing suicidal thoughts. This is a staggering percentage.Individuals working in the ag industry have unique issues and needs that need addressing.effective mental health strategies are needed to help meet the needs of farmers and ranchers.Ag Informed Therapy™ is intended to to teach therapists how to effectively build and maintaina therapeutic alliance with their rural clients.Sign up here: www.nfmha.ca/courses#nfmha#nationalfarmermentalhealthalliance#aginformedtherapy#socialworkersofinstagram#counsellorsofinstagram ... See MoreSee Less
The little things that impact EVERYTHING — personally and professionally 👇Let’s be real. These basics? They matter more than we think:🛌 Sleep — How’s yours, really? It affects everything else.🥦 Food — Fuel matters. Real food, high protein.💧 Hydration — Half a gallon a day is my goal. Still a challenge!🚶‍♀️ Movement — I’ve done at least a mile daily for 6 years—no skips. I also lift weekly. Not just workouts—daily movement counts too.😮‍💨 Stress — I'm intentional with my yeses and nos. Protect your energy.☕ Joy — Hikes, coffee with a friend, travel... I make time for what fills me up. Don’t wait for “someday.”~ A summary from @callithorne's blog contribution this month. Read more by following the link in our bio.➡️ The little habits build the big life. Which one are you focusing on this week?#MindsetMatters #LiveIntentionally #HealthyHabits #LeadershipFromWithin #RealLifeTools ... See MoreSee Less
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop