AgWell Alberta

10/10/2026

We all know that being in nature makes you feel good, but why?

Deep in the brain is a region called the subgenual prefrontal cortex. Research has linked activity in this region with depression and repetitive, negative thinking called brooding.

Brooding is thinking about the same negative thing over and over. It can sound like:

Why did I do that?
What is wrong with me?
Why can’t I handle this better?

Our students learned about a study by Bratman and colleagues, whereby participants took a 90-minute walk in either nature or the city. Those who walked in nature reported significantly less brooding. Brain imaging also showed reduced activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex. There were no changes for the city walkers -- in fact, they were more frazzled after their walk.

So today, we put the research into action. We closed our laptops and took a walk through a nearby walking trail by the U of A Augustana campus.

For people who work in agriculture, being outside for work and taking a few minutes to experience nature aren't always the same thing.

While time in nature isn't treatment on its own, taking a literal walk in nature can be one practical way to interrupt a loop of negative thinking and give your attention somewhere else to go.

10/08/2026

Interested in supporting farmer mental health in your area? Consider hosting a COMET workshop!

Our first set of workshops kickoff in Vulcan County!

Connect with us or the Vulcan and Region FCSS
(403-485-2192, [email protected]) to register.

Learn more about COMET:
https://www.agwellab.ca/resource-articles/comet

10/06/2026

What's your body telling you?

Pressure does not always begin with the thought, "I’m stressed".

Sometimes, your body notices first.

You might find that:

• Your jaw or shoulders stay tense
• You are getting headaches more often
• You feel tired but cannot settle at night
• You are more irritable or impatient than usual
• Your stomach feels unsettled
• You rush through meals or forget to eat
• Even when the work stops, you cannot slow down

Any one of these can happen for many reasons. What matters is noticing when something has changed from your usual.

Take a moment and check:

How am I sleeping?
Where am I holding tension?
Am I more short-tempered than usual?
When did I last feel able to slow down?

You don't need to fix everything in that moment.

Stretch your legs. Unclench your jaw. Eat something. Step outside. Take a few slower breaths. Tell someone the pressure has been building.

Your body may be asking for your attention before your mind has found the words.

10/01/2026

Supporting agriculture means supporting the people behind the work. 🌾

A huge shout out to Central Alberta Co-op for keeping that conversation going!

In August, Central Alberta Co-op invited AgWell Alberta to participate in its customer appreciation event in Crossfield. It was a great day to meet local farmers, families, and community members and talk about mental health and wellness.

Their efforts raised $1,071 for AgWell!

These funds will directly support AgWell programming for the mental health and well-being of farmers, farm family members, and agricultural workers across Alberta.

Thank you to Central Alberta Co-op and everyone who participated! Your support helps us continue developing practical resources, workshops, and programs grounded in the realities of farm life.

09/30/2026

Join us in Wetaskiwin on Thurs October 8 to talk about rural mental health!

Registration is still open for our Let’s Talk Rural Mental Health Workshop on Thursday, October 8!

We’d love to see more community members join us for an evening focused on rural mental health, connection, resilience, and practical tools for reaching out for support.

⚠️ Please note: Due to lower-than-anticipated registration, the workshop may need to be cancelled if we do not receive enough registrations.

Registration deadline: October 1.

📧 To register, email [email protected] or call 780-312-7533.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, please register by October 1 so we can make this workshop happen! 💚

09/29/2026

Farmers are skilled observers.

They notice when an animal is behaving differently. When a crop changes colour. When equipment does not sound quite right. When the weather is beginning to turn.

Those same observation skills can help you notice changes in people.

Maybe someone is quieter than usual. More easily frustrated. Missing gatherings they normally attend. Falling behind on things they usually manage. Or simply not quite themselves.

You don't need to know what's wrong. You don't need to diagnose or solve anything.

Noticing gives you a reason to check in.

You might say:

“You seem a little quieter than usual. How are things going?”

A small observation can open an important conversation.

This is one of the ideas behind COMET, a practical workshop that helps people notice when someone may be struggling, start a conversation, and support a next step.

Learn more about COMET: https://www.agwellab.ca/resource-articles/comet

09/16/2026

When everything feels urgent, it feels like an impossible situation.

“Everything’s in my chest, and my brain is like it’s a mile a minute. I feel scattered. I’m trying to work through farm problems, farm solutions... At the same time, I’m trying to parent and be a good husband.”

One farmer described what it can feel like when farm work, family responsibilities, and decisions all compete for attention.

One of our farmer therapists shared this: One way to reduce some of that mental clutter is to sort what is in front of you into three places:

NOW
What genuinely needs attention today? Think safety, animal care, weather windows, and firm deadlines.

NEXT
What is important, but doesn't need to be solved today? Identify one next step and decide when you'll take it.

LATER
What can wait without creating an immediate problem?

If you're unsure where something belongs, ask:

What will actually happen if this waits until tomorrow?

Sometimes the answer tells you what needs attention now. Other times, it reveals that the pressure is coming from an expectation rather than an immediate consequence.

The goal is not to finish everything. It's to give your attention to what matters most right now.

09/08/2026

For many farmers, farming is more than something they do. It's part of who they are. 🌾

In our recent study of farmers and ranchers across Canada, they described farming as a way of life shaped by meaning, commitment, responsibility, and connection to the land.

One farmer explained:

“Well, you have to love what you’re doing. We’re doing it, you know, we’re on call 24/7 and especially with livestock… otherwise, life's way too short to be doing it.”

Participants spoke openly about the long hours, unpredictable conditions, and constant responsibility. But they also described feeling fortunate to farm. Their work allowed them to live according to their values, spend time outdoors, care for the land, and contribute to something that mattered to them.

Understanding this is important.

When farming is closely tied to identity, what happens on the farm can feel deeply personal.

A difficult season may affect how someone sees themselves. Stepping back from the farm may be more complicated than leaving a job. And advice that ignores what farming means to someone may miss an important part of the picture.

Supporting farmer well-being starts with understanding that farming is not simply an occupation. It can be a source of responsibility, belonging, purpose, and identity.

What does farming mean to you?

Read the AgWell study:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0743016726003712

09/05/2026

Where do we start?

Across Alberta, rural groups care about farmer and rural mental wellness, and want to make a difference. The challenge isn't usually a lack of motivation. It is knowing what the first step should be.

The Vulcan County Mental Wellness Coalition, supported by the Vulcan County Health & Wellness Foundation, didn't begin with a finished plan or a new program. They began by listening.

Who is already doing good work?

Who understands the needs of different groups?

Who is not yet at the table?

Those conversations brought together people from health care, education, agriculture, local government, Vulcan and Region FCSS, community organizations, and volunteer roles.

Their experience offers a useful starting point for other communities:

• Bring together people who care.
• Listen before deciding what to do.
• Build relationships before programs.
• Learn from one another.
• Recognize what already exists in the community.
• Start small.

AgWell is proud to be a supporter of Vulcan's efforts, but we do not direct them. That's because we believe that the people who live and work in their community know what they need best.

So if you're thinking that you'd like to support farmers in your commmunity, you don't need to have all the answers before starting the conversation.

Sometimes the first step is simply making a call and inviting someone to join you. Reach out to AgWell if you need support getting started.

Read the full story about how Vulcan County got started:

https://www.agwellab.ca/blog/rural-mental-health

09/03/2026

Harvest doesn't always leave room for a proper break.

But a short pause still counts. 🌾

Sometimes a pause looks like stepping out of the tractor to stretch your legs, look at the sights, and take in the smells. Maybe it's eating something before you get too hungry. Maybe it's listening to a podcast. Maybe it's calling home or talking with a friend. Or hugging your child goodnight before getting back to work.

These moments don't make the work disappear. But they give your body and mind a chance to reset, even briefly.

When the days are long, taking care of yourself doesn't have to be complicated or take an hour. A short pause still counts.

What small pause could you take today?