The application window is wide open for the 5th annual Community Fund, put on by the Do More Agriculture Foundation and Farm Credit Canada.
Do More Ag has been accepting applications since January 18 and the deadline is February 15. Executive Director of Do More Ag Megz Reynolds says
the fund offers free mental health supports to rural communities across Canada. She adds the fund has become more than what it initially was, which was “mental health first aid”. “Last year we added ‘In the know’ to the programming workshop; we are doing online support, different stress webinars or things like that,” said Reynolds of additions made to the community fund in 2023.
New to the Community Fund this year is a virtual peer-to-peer support platform for people dealing with grief, and a workshop called SafeTALK designed to equip people with knowledge and the ability to extend help to someone considering suicide. Reynolds also noted their “Talk it out” workshop will be available in French. Furthermore, Reynolds says “a fund within the Fund” is available as well, specific to bringing in herself or someone with the Foundation into a community where they faced a specific challenge. “If I looked back at some of the challenges we had last year, maybe that means flying someone into Nova Scotia to an area that was hit really hard with avian influenza to run a workshop and to help support people, getting connected to resources, talking and understanding more how to take care of themselves now that they’re through that challenge.” Reynolds said as an example.
The Fund isn’t limited to farmers as other individuals, businesses, or organizations can apply as well. Reynolds says they’ve
been getting applications from around the country, including in Saskatchewan. “Anyone who sees themselves as a community champion who is looking to help support their community by bringing mental health literacy workshops into their community can apply through our website.” she added.Justine Hendricks, President and CEO of Farm Credit Canada, says in a news release FCC is “firmly committed to providing ongoing support to mental health programming to meet
the unique challenges faced by Canadian farm families.”
An online application, and additional information, is available at www.domore.ag/community-talk.
