Alberta Farmers Need Your Help: AgKnow Facing Funding Crisis

Nov 28

Alberta Farmers Need Your Help:
AgKnow Facing Funding Crisis

Alberta farmers and the organization dedicated to supporting farmers’ mental health are facing a crisis – one of anxiety, depression, and rising suicide rates and the other from lack of consistent funding.

AgKnow, an Alberta-based organization dedicated to providing access to mental health support aligned to the needs of Alberta’s farmers, is in urgent need of your help. Due to a gap in stable funding, AgKnow is being forced to scale back operations and cut key offerings. AgKnow’s programming and outreach in Alberta’s agricultural community is being disrupted at a time when mental health support for farmers are at their most critical.

The mental health crisis among Alberta farmers cannot be understated. More than 75% of farmers are facing anxiety, 66.7% of them are depressed, and suicide rates among farmers are at a staggering high.

“The mental health of our farmers is a top priority,” said Alan Hunt, executive director for ARECA, the parent organization to AgKnow. “AgKnow provides important services to support farmers during difficult times. We urge anyone interested in the continuation of these vital programs to reach out to contact us if you can assist.”

AgKnow’s services include barrier-free access to a network of farm-informed counsellors, training programs, and community engagement to increase the adoption and use of support services. Farm-informed counselling will continue, with reduced capacity and no promotion. The community engagement and training to increase access and awareness of mental health supports will continue at a reduced rate, with fees to access. These events were previously subsidized.

These services are vital for improving farmers' and farm families’ well-being, increasing awareness, and promoting resilience.

“All Albertans care about safe, sustainable local food, and the wellbeing of farmers and their families are at the heart of this,” said Linda Hunt, program director at Agknow. “Supporting farmers has benefits to the broader rural community–supporting schools, local businesses and community initiatives.”

If you value farms and farmers, please consider contributing to AgKnow and help ensure farmers have the support they need to feed not only their families but yours and your neighbours as well. Your donation will make a significant difference in the lives of Alberta farmers.