MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agricultural service board (ASB) is calling on the provincial government to provide increased support of the AgKnow Program, which supports farm families in addressing mental health challenges.
The move came by way of motion during last month's regularly-scheduled board meeting.
“The ASB of Mountain View County would like to bring to your attention a critical concern of ours regarding the AgKnow Program, an initiative that has proved to be a beacon of support (for farm families),” said ASB chairman Brian Rodger said in a letter being sent to Dan Williams, minister of Mental Health and Addiction.
“The program offers essential services to integrate therapeutic support with innovative agricultural practices, providing individuals with a unique pathway to recovery and personal growth.”
The program addresses the immediate needs of individuals in the farming community and “has led to enhanced improvements in mental health outcomes, reduced substance dependency, and enhanced overall quality of life of many participants,” he said.
The sustainability of the program is “currently at risk due to inconsistent funding,” he said.
Reliable and long-term financial support is critical for the program to continue its invaluable work and to expand its reach to serve more individuals in need,” he said. “Without such support, the future of this transformative initiative is uncertain, and the many benefits it provides could be lost.”
The ASB would be prepared to meet with department officials to discuss the need for support of the AgKnow Program, he said.
During the ABS meeting, board members reviewed a proposed resolution regarding the AgKnow Program that would be sent to an upcoming provincial ASB conference.
That resolution calls on the provincial government to “provide sustainable and consistent funding for the AgKnow Initiative to ensure its long-term viability and effectiveness in addressing mental health and addiction challenges.
Board members decided not to approve the proposed resolution, instead calling for a similar resolution already before the provincial ASB to be supported.
At the Aug. 19 ASB board meeting, a letter from AgKnow program director Linda Hunt to chairman Rodger was presented as information.
In the letter, Hunt said, in part, “We are facing a critical funding gap between our last grant and the anticipated funding for our new one. This inconsistency in funding jeopardizes our ability provide continuous support to farm families year-round as they cope with the daily challenges of farm like and navigate times of crisis.”
AgKnow programs include a free counselling pilot program, suicide prevention training, and crisis recovery support, she noted.
“The diversity and distribution of Alberta farmers requires a substantial investment in communication and engagement activities to deliver these courses and give farm families the skills to support those impacted by suicide,” she said.
