Important Conversations at the 2026 NLFA Symposium
Quality Hotel, Gander, NL
January 27-29, 2026
AgriCare NL led a strong and visible mental health presence at our recent Agriculture Industry Symposium in Gander, that was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from farmers and industry collaborators. Powerful presentations from Gerry Friesen (The Recovering Farmer), Bill Jeffery (Canadian Certified Counsellor), and Peter Parsons (Community Mental Health Initiative) were described as inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply validating.
Attendees consistently highlighted the dedicated Wellness Room as a standout feature of the event: a calm and welcoming space to step away from the noise and intensity of the conference, connect with onsite counsellors and Farmer Wellness Project leaders, grab refreshments, and access free resources and promotional goodies.
The launch of AgriCare NL’s new Farming Wellness Guided Journal was especially well received, quickly becoming a sought-after resource at the symposium. Download and print your free copy, or fill online here.
The "Thank a Farmer" initiative also resonated deeply, creating meaningful moments of gratitude and recognition for the farmers and food producers in the room and reinforcing the value of their work to both industry and community.
There was an excellent turnout for our film screening of Deep Rooted (2023), a short documentary exploring the mental health crisis in Canadian agriculture. Panel discussions were empowering and insightful, and attendees felt safe and supported to stand up and share their own stories.
Many participants noted the emotional intensity of multiple mental health sessions back-to-back, and this feedback underscored the impact of what many described as a "Mental Health Bootcamp": an intentional opportunity to sit with discomfort, confront hard realities facing agriculture, and engage honestly with the work required to change them. Together, these experiences reinforced AgriCare NL’s core message: that mental health is not an optional add-on, but a foundational part of a sustainable agricultural industry, requiring collective responsibility, ongoing conversation, and active care for one another.
Kylie Stokes
February 6, 2025
