Digging in with UFA - Rural Mental Health

On the farm, preparing and protecting yourself from the hazards and dangers associated with the labour of production can be a taxing endeavor. So much so that we tend to forget about the mental stressors that can creep in. When it comes to mental health, what do advocacy and outreach look like? How deep does the stigma associated with mental health struggles run within agricultural communities? What do we do to change things? This week we are digging in on rural mental health. Join us for an honest and real conversation with Leslie Kelly, Social Media Mental Health Advocate, Do More Ag Founder, and Saskatchewan Farmer, along with Shaun Haney, Host of Realag Radio on SiriusXM and Founder of realagriculture.com. Together, we'll explore mental health in Canadian agriculture. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we're ready to dig in. Are you?

#DoMoreAg #highheelsandcanolafields #RealAg #ShaunHaney #LesleyKelly #LetsTalk #MentalHealthMatters @realagriculture

https:/ /www.linkedin.com/company/realagriculture @realagmedia shaney@realagriculture.com

#MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #podcast

Digging in with UFA - Tariffs and Agriculture

It’s no surprise that many people feel anxious about the future of trade, especially with the recent implementation of new tariffs. As we examine their real-world impact, a key question emerges: how can agriculture—both large-scale and small-scale—protect itself from the rising costs and prepare for future, unpredictable shifts in global trade? This week, we’re digging into the topic of tariffs and their effects on agriculture. Join us for an insightful conversation featuring Scott Crockatt, Vice President of Communications and External Relations at the Business Council of Alberta (BCA), and Margaret Rigetti, farmer and Board Director at Sask OilSeeds. Guided by host Don Shafer and presented in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’ll explore the root of some of Canadian agriculture’s most pressing issues. We’re ready to dig in—are you?

Further Discussion and Mentioned Information

Agriculture and agri-food trade between Canada and the United States - agriculture.canada.ca

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/programs/international-trade-finance-policy/canadas-

response-us-tariffs/complete-list-us-products-subject-to-counter-tariffs.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2025/03/li

Digging in with UFA - GMO’s

In the realm of consumer produce and agricultural products, many discussions have been brought to the table about altering the chemical nature of foods. But what exactly is a GMO, and why is there so much concern about its consumption? This week, we delve into genetically modified organisms in agriculture. Join us for insightful discussions with Stuart Smythe, Agri-Food and Innovation Sustainability Enhancement Chair and Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan, and Sylvain Charlebois, Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Together, we'll dive deep into this highly debated topic, uncovering truths and dispelling myths. Guided by our host Don Shafer, in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we're ready to dig in. Are you?

Acronyms Present in Episode:

GM: Genetically Modified

BT: Bacillus Thuringiensis; A group of soil microbes used to control specific types of insect pests

CFIA: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

PMRA: Pest Management Regulatory Agency

FAO: Food and Agricultural Association.

#podcast #farms