Getting the mental health conversation going
Spring on the farm is always a busy and stressful time, but this season may be more so than usual.
Late snowfall, high fertilizer prices, high fuel price, and increased flooding risks in some areas — just to name a few — have some farmers ready to hit the panic button.
These factors, which delay seeding, pressure the cheque book and increase the risk of sick calves, are a lot to manage.
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Do More Agriculture Foundation and Dirt Road Collective want to remind all farmers to take care of themselves while also taking care of the farm.
“When we get into the busy seasons, it’s one of the things that gets forgotten about,” said Kaitlyn Kitzan, Do More Ag’s partnership manager.
For May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada, Dirt Road Collective will be donating all profits from the “you are more than your yields” design to Do More Ag. Items with the slogan include t-shirts, hoodies, sticker, and mugs, which are available as of May 1.
“That saying was on one of my TikToks,” said Hailey Spence, owner of Dirt Road Collective.
“And I talked about, you’re more than breakdowns, numbers and how ag tests you. And the final message was, you matter.”
Spence took over the business from her mother in 2023, while completeing her agriculture degree at the University of Saskatchewan. Since last fall, she has used social media to promote and advocate for agriculture alongside the clothing brand.
The inspiration post was first made on TikTok and reposted on the brand’s Instagram in November 2025, where it sparked conversations in the comments between farmers about their year.
“Lots of people said how they had a rough year, and they’re all kind of comparing, (and) having little conversations in the comments,” Spence said.
“And they’re saying, like, ‘oh, I needed this,’ and ‘this hit home’ … just sharing experiences.”
Spence’s family farm also had a tough year, like many others in their area of Outlook, Sask. They had some of their highest yields, but the crops sold for nearly nothing, while neighbours watched kochia choke out their lentils.
Those she knows in agriculture could be struggling, she added, but everyone does their best not to show it.
With this design, Spence hopes people remember that their well-being matters more to their family and friends than how well the farm is doing.
“It’s a new growing season, too, so maybe getting that message out before everyone gets in the field,” she said.
Spring is for new habits
Producers are reminded to take small steps to care for oneself amidst the spring craziness.
“I’m not telling people that they should go to the spa during seeding,” Kitzan said with a laugh.
“But make sure that you’re eating nutritious food, getting some sleep that you need, maybe doing a quick meditation or taking time to breathe, or connecting with a family member or friends.”
These little habits eventually grow into larger benefits when done consistently, such as improved brain function and decreased risk of illness.
For farmers wanting to address their stress and other mental health concerns, individual counselling can be found provincially.
“If anybody’s looking for individual counselling, we would direct them to SaskAgMatters in Saskatchewan,” Kitzan said.
“In Manitoba, would be Manitoba Farmer Wellness. And kind of every province has a different provincial organization that that really focuses on that.”
There is also the Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line, available 24/7 toll free at 1-800-667-4442, and the National Farmer Crisis Line at 1-866-327-6701.
Spence will post the total amount raised from the campaign at the end of May.
“I don’t even actually care how much it makes,” she said.
“Like, as long as it makes some conversations happen, the donation is just part of it.”
Kitzan said Do More Ag is grateful for the work Spence is doing.
“Her whole campaign around ‘you are more than your yields.’ I just, I love it. I think it’s such a neat and unique message.”
Source: producer.com