To mark Mental Health Week 2024, the AGCO Agriculture Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to preventing and alleviating hunger through sustainable agricultural development, has announced a new partnership with The Do More Agriculture Foundation.
The foundation has pledged $150,000 over three years to support farming communities in the U.S. and Canada. The focus will be on connecting farmers with mental health resources and raising awareness of their importance and benefits.
This new partnership with The Do More Agriculture Foundation exemplifies a shared goal to cultivate resilience, provide support and break down the stigma associated with mental health within the agriculture community across the U.S. and Canada, according to a press release.
“We recognize the distinct pressures that farmers face in their day-to-day work. As a Foundation, we are committed to supporting programs and initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of farmers and their families,” said Roger Batkin, Chair of the AGCO Agriculture Foundation “By growing the farmer mental health initiative to the U.S. and Canada, we hope to further address the growing mental health crisis among farmers and provide them with the assurance that help is available.”
As part of this collaboration, the AGCO Agriculture Foundation has become the presenting sponsor for the #TalkItOut video series. This series is designed to encourage open conversations about mental health topics that are pertinent to the agricultural community. Additionally, the partnership will result in the creation of co-branded mental health support stickers featuring QR codes. These stickers will enable farmers to access local mental health resources instantly.
The partnership will also provide support for mental health workshops and training sessions. These workshops aim to increase awareness about mental health, tackle challenges, and equip farmers with tools to manage stress and enhance their overall mental well-being.
“We are thrilled about the potential of our partnership with the AGCO Agriculture Foundation and the profound impact it will have on farming communities,” says Megz Reynolds, Executive Director of Do More Agriculture. “The AGCO Agriculture Foundation’s commitment to supporting mental health initiatives aligns perfectly with our mission, enabling us to expand our reach and provide critical resources to even more farmers in need of mental health support.”
Related:
New Funding for Mental Health Assistance for Producers
Manitoba Invests $450,000 in Farmer Mental Health
Do More Ag Releases Canadian Ag Mental Health Study
Do More Ag Launches New Mental Health Platform AgTalk
