ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER RURAL LIVING 28 Owen Roberts Hearing from farmers outside the traditional mainstream Research studies climate change impact In September, a research team comprising members from the universities of Guelph, Waterloo, and Alberta began reaching out through social media and their professional circles to investigate the experiences, thoughts, and feelings of farmers in what the researchers call “equity-deserving groups” in Canada about climate change. At this time, that means farmers from Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Mennonite and Amish communities will be approached later in the winter. Certainly, climate change is affecting all farmers, in Canada and elsewhere, says University of Guelph Professor Andria Jones, a pioneer in farmers’ mental health research and case study leader of this project. But does it have a different effect on producers considered to be in inequitable positions? Are they more at risk mentally to swings in climate change? Have they adopted creative or transferable techniques to help promote sustainability? Do they think they need different assistance than mainstream farmers? That’s what the research is designed to reveal. “Adaptability and sustainability are the glue that unites these communities,” says Jones. “Approaches to dealing with climate change by equity-deserving groups might serve as lessons to other farmers and help them adapt to difficult situations. We know from research with other groups that the more diverse a study group is, the better the solutions.” The federally sponsored study is the first of its kind in North America. It’s affiliated with sustainability and mental health research in the UK and West Africa, likewise aimed at nonmainstream populations. “We want the study findings to contribute to policy and programming related to equity-deserving groups and mitigating climate change impact generally in agriculture,” Jones says. “By participating, we hope the farmers feel a sense of satisfaction in being ‘heard’ and in helping raise awareness about the impacts of climate change.” A nationwide search is underway in Canada for farmers outside of the traditional mainstream who are trying to balance sustainability and climate change. Dr. Andria Jones
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