Growing Connections, Growing Support

It's been a busy couple of weeks at Ag Care Connect.

From conversations with journalists and podcast hosts to two days at the Guardian Network Symposium, one theme keeps coming up: the importance of connection.

Connection to people who understand our experiences. To communities where we belong. To practical tools and training. And to someone who knows what to do when we're having a hard time.

We've also been building new ways for farm operations to bring mental health conversations into their workplaces, sharing stories from agricultural communities, and adding resources for kids and youth.

There's a lot to share in this week's The Good Ag. But it all comes back to something simple:

We grow stronger communities when we make it easier for people to connect.

Growing Communities of Care — What Is a Guardian?

Last week, I attended the Guardian Network Symposium, hosted through Agriculture Wellness Ontario and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

I'm a Guardian, but what does that actually mean?

The Guardian Network equips people in Ontario's agricultural communities with training to recognize when someone may be struggling, have conversations about suicide and distress, and connect people with appropriate support.

It's about helping people in our communities know how to respond when someone needs them.

One of the things I appreciated most about the symposium was the opportunity to learn alongside other people who care deeply about agricultural wellbeing.

We explored topics including grief, loss, suicide prevention and life promotion—and the many different ways these experiences show up in farm life.

I've written a new article about the Guardian Network, what being a Guardian means, and why this kind of community-based support matters.

​READ: WHAT IS THE GUARDIAN NETWORK? →​

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See the Symposium Through My Eyes

I've also been sharing short videos from the symposium, including the resource displays, what Guardians receive through the program, and two remarkable pieces of artwork created live during the presentations.

The artwork brings together ideas from speakers, panelists and participants into visual reflections on Cultivating Care: Navigating Grief and Suicide Prevention and Life Promotion.

WATCH THE VIDEOS & FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIALS:

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Bring Mental Health Conversations to Your Farm Team

Mental health support doesn't have to begin when someone is in crisis.

Sometimes it begins with knowing what's available, where to turn, and what practical steps we can take to support ourselves or someone else.

That's why Ag Care Connect is now offering free virtual Lunch 'n Learns for farm operations and agricultural organizations across Canada.

These sessions are a guided introduction to Ag Care Connect's free, anonymous and on-demand mental health resources for Canadian farmers and farm families.

We'll demonstrate how to find and use our practical tools, explore resources for different situations, and show participants how to access support whenever they need it.

There's no cost, no sales pitch and no expectation that anyone share personal experiences. Just an opportunity to discover resources that are available to use anytime, privately and at your own pace.

Want to introduce your farm team, employees or agricultural group to these resources?

In the News — Conversations That Keep Growing

We're pleased to be sharing a four-part newspaper series by Tanya Hammond, The Farmer's Daughter, originally published in The Review Mirror.

The first two articles are now available to read through Ag Care Connect, with two more to come.

We're grateful to Tanya for giving us permission to share the original newspaper PDFs with our readers.

​READ THE FIRST TWO ARTICLES →​

More Conversations on the Way

Today, I recorded two podcast interviews, with conversations exploring topics connected to farm life, wellbeing and the experiences that shape us.

The episodes are expected to be released in the coming weeks. I'll share them when they're available.

We've also created two new pages on the ACC website to make it easier to find media coverage, interviews and speaking opportunities.

Media & Publications

Find articles, media appearances, interviews and resources in one place.

​EXPLORE THE MEDIA PAGE →​

Speaking & Presentations

Explore opportunities to bring conversations about mental health, suicide prevention, grief and agricultural wellbeing to your audience.

​EXPLORE SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES →​

ACC KIDS: Give the Spinner a Fall Spin!

Fall is full of things to notice, explore and do together.

We're giving the ACC Kids Spinner a seasonal refresh with activities inspired by autumn and harvest.

From spotting changes in nature to helping with an age-appropriate harvest task or finding a creative way to say thank you, these little activities encourage kids to move, explore, connect and have fun.

AG YOUTH: You Don't Have to Figure It All Out Alone

Sometimes finding your people starts with showing up somewhere new.

Maybe you love working with animals. Maybe you're interested in growing food, machinery, the environment, leadership, or simply meeting others who share your interests.

Connection matters. Having people to learn alongside, share experiences with, and turn to when things get difficult can make a real difference in our wellbeing.

That's why we've added a new resource to the Ag Care Connect Youth section:

NEW! Find Your People

Whether you grew up on a farm or are just discovering agriculture, there are opportunities across Canada to connect, learn and belong.

Our new Find Your People page helps you explore:

• 4-H Canada — Hands-on projects, clubs and leadership opportunities for school-aged youth.
• Young Agrarians — Farm tours, events and learning opportunities for aspiring and emerging farmers.
• Young Farmer Networks — Connections to provincial organizations through Farm Management Canada.
• Online opportunities — Places to look for virtual events and activities when getting together in person isn't possible.

You'll also find simple suggestions for taking that first step, including what to say when reaching out to a group for the first time.

You don't have to know everything about agriculture to find a place where you belong.

Make One Connection

One Small Step Toward Someone Else

Think of someone you haven't connected with in a while.

Maybe it's a neighbour, a fellow producer, someone from a farm organization, or a friend you keep meaning to call.

Reach out.

You don't need a reason beyond wanting to connect.

It could be as simple as:

Or perhaps there's a group, event or organization you've been thinking about joining.

This week, take one small step toward connection.

From Shawna

The past couple of weeks have reminded me how much can happen when people are willing to have conversations.

At the Guardian Network Symposium, I was surrounded by people who want to know how to better support others in agricultural communities.

Through media interviews and podcasts, I've had opportunities to talk about issues that don't always get enough attention, like farmland protection, suicide prevention and life promotion, and how to work towards the bigger conversations by starting with the smaller ones.

And through Ag Care Connect, we're continuing to build practical ways for people to find information, develop skills and connect with support.

What stands out to me is that none of this happens in isolation.

It takes people who share what they've learned, ask questions, invite others in and make room for difficult conversations.

Connection doesn't solve every challenge. But it can make a meaningful difference in how we face them.

Growing well together,

Shawna Percy

Producer, Founder

→ Visit Ag Care Connect​

Pass It Along

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Growing Well Together.

One conversation. One tool. One small step at a time.