National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

Looking for ways to enhance your communication skills on the farm or ranch? Here are five that we have found helpful. What would you add to the list?

1. Clear Instructions: provide specific, detailed instructions to ensure tasks are understood and completed correctly.
2. Regular Meetings: Hold regular team meetings to discuss progress, address issues, plan upcoming tasks and encourage your farm team.
3. Active Listening: Encourage and practice active listening to understand team members' concerns and suggestions.
4. Open Feedback: Create and environment where feedback is welcomed and acted upon constructively.
5. Use of Technology: Utilize communication tools like group messaging apps or project management software to keep everyone informed and coordinated.


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Are you a therapist or student? Do you work with farm or ranch families? Our Ag Informed Therapy (AIT) Training is just the training you may be looking for.
AIT includes four tiers that teach the unique needs of farmers and ranchers to therapists and students The course will teach you how to effectively build and maintain a therapeutic alliance with your rural clients.
Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with you.

There are countless ways in which women contribute to farming, but did you know there are 5 unique ways that women contribute to leadership on the farm? It's interesting that many of these promote positive mental health practices as well.

01 Community Engagement
02 Sustainability Practices
03 Diversity and Inclusion
04 Innovative Marketing
05 Holistic Management

Check out the details in the image.

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🧑🏽‍🌾When we take care of those in our charge, as leaders on the farm, being ‘in charge’ can be less daunting. Yes, leaders drive change and make things happen, but when we take care of our people, they tend to take care of us as well. 🚜


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🧑🏽‍🌾 How are you growing as a leader on the farm? Here are 5 Key Leadership Skills we can develop as we grow in our leadership roles on the farm. Join us this month as we explore the theme of leadership on the farm and the connection to mental health. 🚜


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Calling all

-Social Workers
-Counsellors
-Psychotherapists
-Students

We offer training in Agriculture Informed Therapy (AIT) to help you better understand your rural farming and ranching clients resulting in a more successful therapeutic alliance.

Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with you.

We are hiring:
We are seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Mental Health Intake Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be the first point of contact for individuals seeking mental health services, providing essential support and ensuring a smooth intake process.

Please send us a DM if you would like the full job description.

Like and Share this post to get the word out.

Join us for a complimentary evening hosted by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture at Deep Purple Lavender Farm. We will be there speaking on the importance of mental health.

There will also be
💜Dinner
💚Live Music
💜Yoga Demonstration
💚Inspiring Speaker
💜Vendors





https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/making-wellness-matter-tickets-924660011987?aff=oddtdtcreator

Intentional connections make the farming journey less solitary and more rewarding. Share a coffee, share a story, and watch our community flourish!👨‍🌾

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Are you a therapist or student? Do you work with farm or ranch families? Our Ag Informed Therapy (AIT) Training is just the training you may be looking for.

AIT includes four tiers that teach the unique needs of farmers and ranchers to therapists and students The course will teach you how to effectively build and maintain a therapeutic alliance with your rural clients.

Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with you.

🌾🌍For generations, many Indigenous groups and communities have celebrated their culture and heritage on June 21 or around this time of the year because of the significance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year.

Today we recognize and celebrate the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.

🌱We also honour the incredible contributions of Indigenous communities to agriculture. From cultivating diverse crops to sustainable farming practices, their knowledge and traditions have enriched our food systems and preserved our environment. Let's celebrate and learn from their legacy!

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So, you're busy finishing off planting, or perhaps spraying fields has started for you. You're exhausted and the list feels never ending. The thing is, life is short, and the list will be there tomorrow. Why not take some intentional time for you and your family to spend time together off the farm. It doesn't have to be elaborate, it just needs to be different from the norm of farm life. You won't regret investing this time in your family.

If you haven't read this months blog, head on over to the link in our bio and read: Sowing Seeds of Purpose: Intentionality on the Farm written by Karlee Jo Mertens.





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We are thrilled to have Katie join the NFMHA Team as one of our Co-Directors of Student Engagement. She joins Desaray in the role of connecting with students interested in becoming Ag Informed Therapists. Let’s give her a warm welcome!

Life on the farm is busy. We get tired. Our minds are filled with tasks, concerns, goals etc. Truthfully, to carve time out for family and friends can be difficult, but it is possible. It takes intentional planning.

Karlee Jo Mertens a South Dakota born and raised farm girl, joins us on the blog this month discussing the importance of sowing seeds of purpose in our relationships with others and in taking care of ourselves.





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🌾👨‍🌾 Today we honor the farm fathers who teach us the value of hard work, resilience, and love. Happy Father's Day to our heroes in the fields and in the barns! 🌿💚

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🌟 In farming, as in life, relationships matter. Take a moment to reach out and strengthen the bonds within your family and your farming community. Intentional relationship building is so important. 🌱

Why Ag Informed Therapy? What makes it so important? (see points in image)

Are you a therapist or student? Do you work with members of our rural community? Our Ag Informed Therapy (AIT) Training is tailored to you.

AIT includes four tiers that teach the unique needs of farmers to therapists and students who may work with farmers in their practice. The course is intended to to teach therapists how to effectively build and maintain a therapeutic alliance.

Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with you.

Let us introduce you to Desaray! We are thrilled to have her join the NFMHA Team as one of our Co-Directors of Student Engagement. Her role is to connect with students interested in becoming Ag Informed Therapists. Let’s give her a warm welcome!

🌾👩‍🌾 Cultivate community, not just crops! Connecting with fellow farmers boosts knowledge-sharing, mental health, and farm efficiency. Let's grow together!

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🌍Today is Global Wellness Day!🌍 We challenge you to spend time outside today. 🌳 Perhaps life on the farm during planting season means that you are outside already. So we challenge you to look past the machinery and the problem solving that comes in this season of life. Take a moment to allow the sun to kiss your face, deeply breathe in the outdoor air and allow the sounds of nature to sing a song to you. 🐦

Maybe you are able to choose to take a few hours away from the realities of farm life and walk through a forest, a beautiful park or garden. 🌻

Our relationship with nature – how much we notice, how we think about and appreciate our natural surroundings – is important in supporting good mental health.

Spending time in nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.

So...put down your phone and get to it. 😉

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🌿 The fields are busy, but so are our hearts. Intentional family connections remind us why we farm and keep us thriving. 💚

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🌾 6 Mindfulness Tips for Farmers 🌾

1. Start Your Day with Intention: Take a few moments each morning to set positive intentions for your day. Reflect on what you’re grateful for and what you aim to accomplish.🌱

2. Mindful Breathing: Amidst your tasks, pause and take deep breaths. Focus on your breathing to center yourself and reduce stress.🌱

3. Be Present: Engage fully with your work. Notice the sounds, smells, and textures around you. Being present can enhance your connection to the land.🌱

4. Take Breaks: Schedule short breaks to rest and recharge. Even a few minutes of stretching or walking can refresh your mind and body.🌱

5. Mindful Eating: Eat your meals slowly and savor each bite. Appreciate the food you’ve worked hard to produce and nourish yourself with intention.🌱

6. Reflect on Your Day: Before bed, take time to reflect on what went well and what you learned. This practice can improve your outlook and prepare you for tomorrow.🌱

🌱 Embrace mindfulness to cultivate a peaceful and fulfilling farming life! 🌱

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Are you a therapist or student? Do you work with members of our rural community? Our Ag Informed Therapy (AIT) Training may be for you.

AIT includes four tiers that teach the unique needs of farmers and veterinarians to therapists and students who may work with farmers/veterinarians in their practice. The course is intended to to teach therapists how to effectively build and maintain a therapeutic alliance.

Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with you.

The CFFO will be hosting their second wellness dinner and workshop for their northern members and community on June 6, 2024 in Sturgeon Falls, ON.

Join us for an evening of fellowship, hope, and valuable insights as our co-found and CEO will be sharing her expertise, helping us recognize signs of mental health issues in friends, loved ones, and neighbours.

Together, we will discover resources and tools to support those in need, ensuring they receive the assistance they require.

We love our partnership with !
Join in on the 2nd Annual Hard Miles 5K Run & Walk Fundraiser in Mitchell’s Bay on June 15th. All ages and abilities are welcome. This year there will be a BBQ lunch for purchase following the run.

Come and support an amazing initiative that provides respite and mental health resources for farmers and first responders.

Reminder:
NFMHA and Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario have a partnership in wellness and through this partnership, CFFO members are entitled to 4 counselling sessions per family/business with our Christian therapists.

Feel free to reach out to us and we can get you in touch with one of our Christian therapists.


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🌱 To the Strong and Resilient Farm Wife: Embracing the Unknowns of Spring Planting 🌱

Dear Farm Wives,

As the seasons shift and spring planting unfolds, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the vital role you play in the heartbeat of farm life. Your constant support, strength, and resilience are the bedrock upon which your family's dreams are sown and nurtured.

In the face of uncertainty—be it weather challenges, market fluctuations, or the countless variables that come with farming—you stand steadfast by your husband's side, offering comfort, counsel, and unwavering love. Your dedication to the land and to each other is a testament to the power of partnership and the beauty of shared dreams.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of planting season, we encourage you to also tend to your own well-being. Remember to carve out moments of rest, seek solace in nature's embrace, and lean on your support network when needed. Your strength is inspiring, but it's okay to ask for help and prioritize self-care along the way.

Know that your contributions to the farm, both seen and unseen, are deeply valued and appreciated. Your resilience in the face of uncertainty is the anchor that keeps your family grounded and thriving. As you navigate the unknowns of spring planting, may you find moments of joy, connection, and pride in all that you do.

With admiration and gratitude,
your NFMHA Team🌾💖

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..."there is an invisible mental load that mothers in agriculture carry as we try to balance the societal expectations of being a mother, and the realistic expectations of what it takes to run a successful farming operation." Kaitlin Anderson

Read more on the blog this month.





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As we embrace the joy of the May long weekend and celebrate Victoria Day, let's take a moment to acknowledge the reality of farming during this spring season.🌾🏡

For many, this weekend signifies more than just a break from routine—it's a time to reconnect with nature, family, and community. It's a time to celebrate the arrival of spring, marked by the vibrant blossoms and the lush greenery that blanket our landscapes. 🌷🌳

It is also a very busy season on the farm and ranch, whether you are planting your fields, waiting for fields to dry out so that you can plant them, getting seedlings into your garden, taking the opportunity to take a few days to work on the farm yard or some intentional time with your family and friends. 🌟🌱

So, whatever this weekend holds for you, we express our appreciation for you-- the farming and ranching families who enrich our lives in countless ways. 🌿💖

Happy May Long Weekend and Victoria Day you, our NFMHA family. 🌷🌳