b'FROMOUR DESK Kari Belanger Winter 2020 - Vol. 17, No. 1The magazine of the Canadian potato industry.PUBLISHED BY:Reach Out and 6327435 Canada Ltd.403-313 Pacific Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M2Phone: 204-453-1965, Fax: 204-475-5247Email: [email protected] About It issuesink.comPUBLISHERShawn [email protected] EDITORTO SAY HARVEST conditions were difficult in 2019However, there is evidence growers areKari [email protected] some western Canadian potato producersstarting to talk more about their lives.would be an understatement. The total unharvestedRecently, Hochstein says hes seen more pro- MANAGING EDITORMichelle [email protected] acres last year in Canada was just underducers opening up. Ive had a lot of conversa-20,300. Cold, wet conditions followed by snow meanttions [with farmers] in my office, at a conference,ADVERTISING SALESCraig [email protected] approximately 84 per cent of those unharvested acresor at their kitchen tablesnot about growingDean [email protected] located in Manitoba and Alberta, where aboutcrops, but just about life. They want someone toSam [email protected],000 and 4,000 acres, respectively, were left in thetalk to and not be judged, he says. The weatherMARKETINGground (Market News, page 50). situation doesnt make the [farm] operation aTheresa [email protected] is the second year Manitoba potato growersfailure, or the individual a failure. Andres [email protected] mainly in the Portage la Prairie and CarberryKnowing they arent alone is an importantCREATIVEregionshave had to abandon part or all of theirmessage Hochstein wants to convey to farmers.Lesley Nakonechny, Kyle Dratowany, Theresa Ramsoomairpotato crops because of challenging weather condi- For every 10 families, there are likely seven whoCIRCULATIONtions. In 2018, 5,300 acres went unharvested in thatare experiencing stress, or are in crisis, due toDean [email protected]. That same year, P.E.I. growers left 6,800the pressures and financial burden of farming,CONTRIBUTORSacres in the ground and the total unharvested acresand its likely every farmer personally knows oneMelanie Epp, Mark Halsall, Treena Hein, Carolyn Kingin Canada was more than 16,000. family going through difficult times, says Hoch- EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDTerence Hochstein, executive director for the Pota- stein. To deal with the emotional toll farming canKhalil Al-Mughrabi, Benoit Bizimungu, Robert Coffin, Nick Hubbard, to Growers of Alberta, believes this is the right timetake, his advice is clear. Jason Kehler, Keith Kuhl, Kevin MacIsaac, Bill Moons, Rick D. Peters, Janet Porchak, Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, Bert Tupling, Peter VanderZaagto address an issue most farmers are uncomfortableReach out and talk about it. Talk to your talking about. He says losses of this magnitude canfellow growers. Talk to your friends.be devastating for producers and their families asThere are also organizations growers canSUBSCRIPTIONSfinancial obligations create unimaginable stressconnect with to help them deal with the chal- Spud Smart is published four times a year. To subscribe, please email on the family unit and can put the mental health oflenges of farming, as well as those issues [email protected] subscription rate is: $45.00/year plus GST. those individuals in jeopardy.producers would rather not talk about, such asInternational subscription rate is CDN$110.00/year.This problem is compounded by attitudes bothstress, depression and isolation. within and outside the agricultural industry. ForAg for Life Foundation does an amazing PRINTED IN CANADAPlease recycle where facilities exist.example, farmers are perceived as rough and toughjob, says Hochstein. Right now, St. JohnNo part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written types with the world at their feet, says Hochstein.Ambulance has programs for coaching for Mentalpermission of the publisher. Most do not understand without a crop we doHealth First Aid. I hope to take the program, soSpud Smart makes no expressed or implied warranties of mechantability not eat, we do not pay our bills, and we arent able toI understand more both for myself and for myor fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, concerning the use of any product and assumes no liability for any injury or damage, direct do things for our families. The stress of it is causinggrowers.or consequential, incurred from the use of such products or services many families to seriously consider if its all worth it.The Do More Agriculture Foundation alsotherein. Federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations The people that are closest to you are the ones thatprovides resources for the mental health andsupersede the information contained within. take the brunt of the impactyour family, yourwell-being of Canadian producers. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40030841.spouse, your children. All producers, at one time or another, faceReturn undeliverable Canadian addresses to:Issues InkAdditionally, men tend to keep the problemshardships; however, they dont have to suffer in403-313 Pacific Ave.they are facing and the stress they are enduring tosilence, says Hochstein. Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M2themselves, he says, whereas women are havingJust reach out. There are places to talk,PRIVACY CODEmore conversations about the challenges the farmingpeople to listen. Youre not the only one.To view our privacy policy, visit spudsmart.com.life presents.SPUDSMART.COMThey are worried about their husbands, their kids and the farm, in general.SPUDSMART@SPUDSMARTMAG2 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2020'