Practical tools, thoughtful articles, free resources, and upcoming events to help Canadian farm families grow stronger together. Subscribe for updates from Ag Care Connect.
The Good Ag | The Pressure Is On. What Can We Do About It? 🌱
Coffee & Conversation This Wednesday July 22The Pressure Is On! What Can We Do About It?Pressure is part of farming. We can't eliminate every stressor—but we can change how we respond to it. In this Coffee & Conversation, we'll explore practical ways to recognize pressure before it builds too high, why our bodies sometimes stay "stuck" in stress, and simple ways to help bring that pressure back down. We'll also walk through The Pressure Cooker on Ag Care Connect together, so you can experience firsthand how the tool works and see how it can help you identify what's building pressure—and what helps release it. Wednesday, July 22 11 AM EST Click "Reserve Your Spot" to view times in your time zone. Free.​
Helping Kids Learn to Let Pressure GoSometimes kids carry pressure too—they just don't always have the words for it. Our newest colouring page teaches Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) through simple farm-themed activities that help children notice tension in their bodies and practice letting it go. By learning these skills early, kids build practical tools they can use whenever life starts to feel overwhelming.
Try ThisRelease the Pressure—One Muscle at a TimeWhen we're stressed, our bodies often stay tense without us realizing it. Progressive Muscle Relaxation helps by gently tightening muscles first, then letting them completely relax so we can actually feel the difference. This week, try these three simple exercises which can be done anytime, anywhere: Sometimes the fastest way to feel more relaxed is to tense up further...and then release. → Try The Pressure Cooker​ Growing TogetherNew: BeFarmWell AppLooking for another practical wellbeing tool? The newly released BeFarmWell app is now available worldwide for mobile devices and is designed specifically for people living and working in agriculture. As part of its launch:
The National Farmers Mental Health Alliance and the BeFarmWell team are actively gathering feedback as they continue improving the app. Use the QR code below (or coupon code FARMWELL2026) to redeem your complimentary access. Worth ReadingThe Pressure Is Always OnPressure is part of farming—but carrying it alone doesn't have to be. This article explores why stress builds differently in agriculture, how pressure affects our bodies and decision-making, and practical ways to recognize when it's time to pause before pressure becomes something heavier. → Read article​ Safety First: How to Manage Your Mental Health When Farm Stress Strikes(Farm Credit Canada)Stress doesn't just affect how we feel—it can affect how we work, think, and stay safe on the farm. In this practical article, Gerry Friesen shares why recognizing stress early matters and offers simple strategies to help reduce pressure before it begins affecting daily life. → Read article​ From ShawnaPressure has a way of convincing us that we need to push just a little harder. Work a little longer. Do one more thing. What I've learned—both personally and through years of working in suicide prevention—is that pressure doesn't always disappear because life changes. Sometimes it begins to ease because we intentionally create small moments for our minds and bodies to settle. That's why I love practical tools. They don't solve every problem, but they can lower the pressure enough for us to think more clearly, breathe a little easier, and take the next step. I hope you'll join us this Wednesday July 22 as we explore our pressure-release tool together. Sometimes five minutes of intentional pressure release can change the rest of the day. Shawna Percy Producer, Founder → Visit Ag Care Connect​ Pass It AlongIf this issue made you think of someone, we'd be grateful if you shared it with them. Ag Care Connect is free for every producer and farm family across Canada. Know someone who would like updates like these? Forward this email and invite them to subscribe at AgCareConnect.ca/The-Good-Ag/​ Growing Well Together.One conversation. One tool. One small step at a time. |
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Practical tools, thoughtful articles, free resources, and upcoming events to help Canadian farm families grow stronger together. Subscribe for updates from Ag Care Connect.
Coffee & Conversation This Wednesday July 29 Take Stock: Accounting for the Good It's easy to remember everything that's gone wrong. The good moments often pass by unnoticed. This week we'll take time to share good news from farms across Canada, hear what's been going well, and explore why intentionally noticing the good isn't just positive thinking—it's something our brains actually need. We'll also walk through the free Take Stock tool on Ag Care Connect together so you can see how writing...
Coffee & Conversation This Wednesday July 15 Talking Across Generations: Building The Future Together Many of the most important conversations on a farm don't happen in the office. They happen around kitchen tables, in workshops, in tractor cabs, and during everyday moments shared between generations. Whether you're farming with parents, children, siblings, or other family members, good communication doesn't just strengthen relationships—it helps build the future of the farm. In our next...
Coffee & Conversation Series Starts This Wednesday July 8 Worried About Someone? Now What? When we're worried about someone, we can also worry about saying the wrong thing. We might wonder if it's any of our business, worry about interfering, or fear we'll make things worse if we try. So what do we do when someone stays on our mind? In our first Coffee & Conversation, we'll explore those concerns together, along with practical ways to check in and start conversations when you're worried about...