Keeping Mental Health A Priority In The Field This Spring

Apr 12, 2019

Planting this year's crop can be an exciting time of year, but it doesn't come without its challenges.

Farmers are subject to lots of uncertainty, whether it's watching the markets and trade tensions, the weather, or family trials.

Do More Agriculture Foundation co-founder and farmer, Lesley Kelly, says long hours on the tractor this spring can lead to mental exhaustion.

"Physical and mental health are very, very closely connected," she said. "So whether that's getting enough sleep, taking the time to even during seeding take a five minute stretch on the tractor, or going outside and doing a little bit of a run around the tractor, those things can help get the blood flowing."

She says, farmers should also be caring for their mental health by maintaining social relationships such as visiting with neighbours, friends and loved ones who are able to listen to you.

"If a farmer is going through a hard time, please raise your hand and ask for help. If you see someone struggling, please listen to them. If necessary, please seek the help of a professional."

For more mental health resources you can visit their website.

Source : Discoverairdrie

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.