Ontario Grain Farmer September 2022

20 An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events Partners in Soil for Life include Beef Farmers of Ontario, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Conservation Ontario, Co-op Regionale, Farm and Food Care Ontario, Grand River Conservation Authority, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Soil Network, Ontario Certified Crop Advisors, and Soils at Guelph Initiative. Find out more at www.ontariosoilhealth.ca and follow #SoilForLife on Twitter. FARM AND ROAD SAFETY During this busy harvest season, be sure to keep road safety in mind when traveling between farms, fields, and the elevator. Review the rules of the road with farm equipment operators, inspect equipment to ensure that lights, taillights, and signals are working properly, and ensure your farm vehicles are equipped with slow moving vehicle signs. Visit www.ofa.on.ca/resources/smv-roadsafety/ for more information on how to keep you, your farm workers, and your fellow motorists safe. SOIL FOR LIFE Grain Farmers of Ontario, together with industry partners, have recently launched the Soil for Life initiative. Soil for Life will focus on five major principles to break down and simplify the complex concept of soil health and sustainability, including building soil organic matter, diversifying crops, minimizing soil disturbance, keeping living roots throughout the year, and keeping the soil covered. Soil for Life will help to focus conversations on soil health and amplify a unified voice in agriculture. Farmers constantly have to tap into wells of strength. It takes strength and resilience to navigate the many challenges they face. It is also a test of strength to reach out for help when the stresses of farming become too much. Recognizing the need for help and reaching out is not easy. Some of the agencies and people you can reach out to for support are listed here. What can you do in addition to asking for help? Here are some stress management techniques you can use. For the complete list, visit www.gfo.ca/farmerwellness/. 5 Daily Easy and Free Activities Farmers often rely on to-do lists to help get through busy days. Here is a self-care “to-do list” with a few tips that can help boost your well-being each day. Stay connected If possible, take time with family, or head out for a walk with a friend or neighbour. If meeting in person is not possible, hop on a video chat with friends and family. Farmer wellness first Grain Farmers of Ontario Farmer Wellness Guide: www.gfo.ca/farmerwellness/support-resources/ Farmer Wellness Initiative: 1-866-267-6255, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Learn more at: www.farmerwellnessinitiative.ca Get some fresh air and exercise Getting sunshine and fresh air will not only lift your mood but can also help you sleep better and think more clearly Shower and get dressed When you’re feeling down, everything can feel like an obstacle. But simply taking a quick shower and getting dressed, can leave you feeling more uplifted and motivated Unplug Information overload is a real thing. Schedule some time away from devices each day and take a break. Reach out We need each other more than ever. Reaching out to a friend you trust even just to talk about the busy day you had can make a world of difference.

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