NL Federation of Agriculture

06/19/2026

If you’ve seen exciting, hands-on agriculture education happening in NL schools, chances are Chelsea had a hand in it!

As our Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator (AITC-NL), Chelsea is a huge part of the team leading ag-education in our province. For over a decade , she’s been developing incredible resources and bringing major initiatives to life, including Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month, Canada’s Agriculture Day, and The Amazing Agriculture Adventure.

Chelsea always knew she wanted to work with youth, studying Child Development, Psychology, and Community Studies. That path led her straight to us, where she developed a massive passion for the ag industry. Today, she finds so much joy in sharing the stories of the hardworking people who provide the food on our plates across Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The agriculture industry is an endless world of opportunity, and connecting youth to those opportunities is vital to the future of our growing industry."

When she’s not inspiring students in the classroom, Chelsea loves hanging out with family and friends, and walking her cat Bosun.

Drop a comment below to thank Chelsea for her 10+ years of dedication to growing the future of NL agriculture!

06/18/2026

We believe that building a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector requires a diverse, inclusive, and supportive community.

This June we are proud to celebrate Pride Month and recognize the invaluable contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ farmers, producers, and agricultural professionals across our province. Cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected strengthens our entire industry.

Happy ! 🌾🏳️‍🌈

06/17/2026

💙 June is men's mental health month... but what does that really mean?

For those of us in agriculture, and in any historically male-dominated industry, it means that we take action in the following ways:

➡️ Recognize and acknowledge the hard truths facing men and boys in our society today. One such hard truth is that 75% of all lives lost to su***de in Canada each year are men.

➡️ Offer mental health support and/or treatment options that work for men, and raise awareness of available services. If you're a farmer, farm-worker, or farm family member, you can access mental health services through AgriCare NL by visiting agricarenl.ca/request or during a crisis, calling 1-866-327-6701 (24/7).

➡️ Create an environment where stigma ends and compassion begins. Like anyone struggling with their mental health, men need a safe space to talk about hard things. Shame and stigma are one of the biggest barriers to treatment for men in today's world.

💙 To the men and boys in our lives, thank you for your strength and resolve. Your wellness matters, and you matter. If you are struggling in silence, come chat with us! Don't be afraid to dream bigger, explore the possibilities of treatment, ask more for yourself, and find out what wellness could be.

AgriCare NL



AgriCare NL is funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investments by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. Sustainable CAP supports initiatives to provide mental health and wellness resources to the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agri-foods industry.

06/17/2026

📻 Tune in tomorrow, June 17 from 12:00-1:00PM NDT...!

To CBC Newfoundland and Labrador's The Signal Podcast to hear Adam Walsh sit down with special guests Bill Jeffery (CCC), men's mental health advocate and leader of The Lonely Man Project, and Kylie Stokes of AgriCare NL, a program supporting the mental health and wellness of Newfoundland and Labrador farmers.

In honor of June being Canadian men's mental health month, we'll dive into the topic of men's mental health, and how AgriCare NL navigates supporting a diverse yet historically male-dominated industry in our province.

How to tune in:

- Radio channel 88.5 FM / 640 AM
- By computer/ smartphone: cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-89-thesignal

06/11/2026

In case you missed it!
The NL Young Farmers podcast is a great way to connect and get informed about what's happening with our province's younger farmers.
Check out Episode 3 and hear from Cassandra Curtis from Three Rivers Ranch and get her inspiring story of dedication and independence.

In the third episode of the NL Young Farmers Podcast, Cassandra Curtis from Three Rivers Ranch Inc in Cormack discusses her journey in agriculture and passion for beef cattle farming.

Growing up, Cassandra's happy place was working with horses at a local stable and that is where her passion for farming truly began. After high school, she travelled across Canada and gained many different work experiences, but farming was always her dream.

After discussions with some incredible mentors, Cassandra decided to finally pursue that dream and started her beef farm with just three cows. Four years later, Three Rivers Ranch is now home to over 50 beef cattle, with many more to come in the future.

Cassandra is proud to provide her community with fresh, local, high-quality beef and looks forward to continuing to grow her farm for years to come. She also serves on the board of the NL Cattle Producers Association.

Listen here: https://www.nlyoungfarmers.ca/podcast

06/10/2026

Meet Lisa Davis, the person who manages NL Young Farmers and keeps it running smoothly.

Lisa brings a dynamic and diverse communications background to her role as NL Young Farmers Project Coordinator. Her career began in journalism, where she worked as a reporter before moving into television/video production, event management and communications/marketing.

Lisa first joined the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture (NLFA) on a contractual basis in 2019. Since taking the lead on the NL Young Farmers Project in 2022, she is responsible for the seamless delivery of training initiatives, programs, events, and promotional activities that support aspiring young farmers across the province.

What motivates Lisa most is witnessing the transformation of young people as they pursue and realize their dream of starting and operating their own farm businesses. She believes that empowering the next generation of farmers is essential to building a sustainable agriculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys time with her family, tending to her garden, and exploring the outdoors with her Siberian Husky/Border Collie, Sammy.

06/09/2026

There is nothing quite like watching our province’s agricultural history come alive right in the heart of St. John's!

Spending the day at O'Brien Farm for the third annual Sheep to Sock Fibre Festival was a great reminder of the care and patience that goes into this traditional skill. We got to watch live shearing demonstrations as well as local knitters, weavers, and rug hookers all putting the wool to good use.

It's always special to see the community gather to celebrate our shared heritage, making sure these living traditions continue to be passed down to the next generation.

We especially want to thank:
Sheep Producers of Newfoundland & Labrador
O'Brien Farm Foundation

06/03/2026

Here are some photos from the Make Do and Mend Festival from last week (May 29) at O'Brien's farm.

The O'Brien brothers, who once owned the farm, believed deeply in making, reusing, recycling, and taking care of the things they had. In that very spirit, we welcomed four schools and approximately 250 students to the farm for a day of hands-on learning and sustainability.

Our young guests spent the day discovering how to care for their world and the things in it. They learned some practical, everyday skills like sewing buttons and repairing tools, planted seedlings to take home, and cooked up simple snacks in the kitchen barn.

We were also thrilled to partner with Little Green Thumbs for some worm composting exploration. This wonderful indoor gardening program brings classrooms to life by equipping teachers with the tools and training to grow classroom gardens. This kind of inquiry-based learning helps give students a deeper understanding of food and agriculture and deepens their understanding of the connection between the environment and our food system.

Seeing the next generation embrace these timeless values with so much enthusiasm gives us so much hope for the future. Thank you to all the teachers, students, and hands-on learners who made this day so special.

Special thanks to:
Agriculture In The Classroom NL
O'Brien Farm Foundation

06/02/2026

Mark your calendars (your 2027 ones)! 🗓️
We're excited to announce Agriculture Industry Symposium 2027 will take place February 17-18th. This time we'll be back in "town", at the Delta Hotel in St. John's.

The theme: Growing Together: Smart Agriculture Pathways Across Newfoundland & Labrador, will focus on innovation, collaboration, and the future of agriculture in our province.

Keep an eye out for the detailed agenda and early bird registration opening later down the road!
We hope to see you there.

05/28/2026

Meet Mark, the person helping young farmers get involved and stay informed about agriculture in our province.

In May 2024, Mark Hoffe began his role as the NL Young Farmers Outreach Coordinator with the NL Federation of Agriculture. As the first point of contact for new and existing NL Young Farmers members, Mark is honoured to support the growth and development of young farmers in a profitable and sustainable agriculture industry across Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to organizing various training and networking opportunities for members, Mark enjoys promoting the work they do in NL Young Farmers newsletters, podcasts, and videos. He also manages the NL Young Farmers website, social media, and membership database. With a background in filmmaking and journalism, Mark chose to work with the NL Federation of Agriculture because he believes in the importance of supporting sustainable local food systems and views farmers as local heroes.

Mark doesn’t own a horse, but he loves his cat – a former stray named Kurt.