Beaver County Council considered a request for $2,000 to help agricultural producers with their mental health.
Instead, council upped the ante and agreed to give $5,000 as suggested by Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3).
The funds were requested by the organization AgKnow, which recently made a presentation at Beaver County’s Agricultural Service Board (ASB) meeting. The ASB passed the request along to Beaver County as a recommendation for an unspecified amount of funding to be given.
Mental health on farms and ranches in the province was recognized as becoming an issue of concern in 2018 when the provincial ASB and Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) passed resolutions on the subject. AgKnow developed from this initiative.
Agriculture Fieldman Jonathan Culbert put the request to county council July 15 explaining the request arose due to lack of funding.
“AgKnow provides access to critical mental health services for farmers and their families but faces challenges in securing long-term stable funding support,” he said.
Funding ended in April of this year when the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership program grants provided through the province and federal governments expired.
These were one-year grants only. With the last grant having run out, the organization is seeking long-term funding from the province in order to keep going.
“But (it) needs bridge funding until an agreement is reached,” he said. “Although AgKnow has received some bridge funding support from industry partners and other municipalities, they do not have adequate funds to cover their operating expenses for August 2024.
“As a result of these struggles, AgKnow is requesting a one-time contribution of $2,000 from Beaver County.”
Linda Hunt, program director for AgKnow, which stands for Alberta Farm Mental Health Network, also made a plea for funding support.
“Your support will enable us to continue to invest in programs that prioritize the mental health and well being of farming communities,” she said, “while we negotiate longer-term agreements with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
“Together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Alberta’s farmers, and the rural communities they support.”
Hrabec said the county should contribute $5,000 instead of the requested $2,000.
“The program itself has caught on,” he said. “People didn’t know the services are done pro bono. The need is growing.”
“I beleive it’s a very good cause,” said Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5), calling it “a reason for (county budget) reserves to be there.”
The motion that was passed stated the funds would be derived equally between the county’s Community Support Request program and the Ag Service Board appreciation budget.
Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) called the contribution “a great example of a real need being answered.”
In a survey provided by AgKnow, 67 per cent of those responding stated it was important to have a counsellor who was informed about agriculture to see a person in the farming community.
Also, 60 per cent of these farm respondents stated they had received counselling themselves or have had a family member who received counselling.
Patricia Harcourt
Editor
