Gingerbread Farms

The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees, and spouses and dependents of farm employees with free, unlimited mental health counselling, specific to the unique challenges that can be experienced by the agricultural community.
If you’re in need of support, call us anytime.

1-866-267-6255
Intake is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.

March is Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month!

Let’s celebrate this great initiative to inform the next generation.

Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), celebrated annually in March, is dedicated to learning about and celebrating Canada’s incredible agriculture and food story.

Dear farmer friends to the South who are in for brutal Winter storm conditions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help from your neighbors in the North. We have tried and true tips and tricks for surviving s**t like this!

Dear southern friends-
While we northern people grump and groan about our exceptional cold, let me make something clear!

YOU are the real heroes, when a polar plunge enters your forecast.
We signed up for the lives we live and the cards we are dealt. Excessive cold and wind and snow are just the stuff that happens up here.

But, you?! You didn’t sign up for frozen tanks, slick roads, howling, cold winds, and neither did your livestock. While most animals can adapt to sudden weather changes, we know and understand that such extremes are extra, extra hard, and dangerous for them. And, for you.

So while you may see some of us appear to poke fun at your own experiences with the rarity of a polar plunge, most of us actually have deep empathy, and compassion for what you face on the days ahead. The conditions are no joke, especially when you don’t have the set up, supplies, know-how, and experience at dealing with this version of Mother Nature’s wrath.

So, from me to you, and with every other northern person raising livestock in tough conditions, here is our open invite to ask for all the help and support you need. No question is a dumb question, when it comes to the well being of our stock.

Godspeed, friends.

Fun fact!

Came across something cool when I was out doing my nightly egg collection and head count of the flock. I had no idea that their eggs showed up this way under a UV/black light!! I use the UV as it’s not so bright when I go in the coop and run, keeps the peace haha but this was a cool sight to see! No matter the color of the egg they all show up like this.
Enjoy and goodnight!

Make a list and chicken it twice 😂

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I made my chickens an edible Christmas tree… because of course I did! 😂❤️🎄🐔 #chickens #backyardchickens #chickensofinstagram #crazychickenlady #christmastree #christmas #farmlife #homestead #ediblechristmastree #love

Agriculture Wellness Ontario because, well because, to tell you the truth farming is hard.
It looks like a happy, healthy lifestyle from 500 feet away. A tractor in the field, trousers on the clothesline, fresh eggs and new life.
Up close and personal though it can be very unhappy and unhealthy. On any given day that tractor could break down, those trousers could have mud and blood on them, a coyote could kill the hen that lays those eggs and the new life could be stillborn.
Thank the farmers in your life, check in with them, help them if you are able and, encourage them. To the ones in slow moving equipment on the road be courteous of them, make room for them, smile and wave. Their families want everyone, including you, to be safe.
Mental health in agriculture benefits everyone. Do your part.

Home - Agriculture Wellness Ontario Mental Health Support, Education and Community for Ontario Agriculture

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Happy International Day of Rural Women to all the women in agriculture! 👩🏼‍🌾

Today and every day, we recognize the women across our country who produce our food and care for our land. Thank you for your hard work!👏

📷: La Ricardière

The U.S. Cattle Report. Jaw dropping stats.

U.S. CATTLE REPORT 📦 U.S. Beef Imports on Record Pace, Topping 3.4 Billion Pounds Through July 🚢🥩

Through July, the U.S. has imported 3.4 billion pounds of beef, up 30.3% from the same period last year. Brazil was the largest supplier at 810 million pounds, up 91.5%, followed by Australia at 719 million pounds, up 34.8%. Canada shipped 555 million pounds, down 3.5%, while New Zealand sent 398 million pounds, up 3.0%, and Mexico contributed 367 million pounds, up 9.8%. Uruguay totaled 249 million pounds, up 44.8%, Nicaragua supplied 103 million pounds, up 10.3%, and Argentina shipped 72 million pounds, up 41.7%. The largest percentage increase came from Paraguay, which delivered 94 million pounds, up 616% from a year ago.

📦 U.S. Beef Imports | Jan–July
📊 Total: 3,401,253,000 lbs (+30.26%)
🇧🇷 Brazil: 810,251,000 lbs (+91.46%)
🇦🇺 Australia: 719,415,000 lbs (+34.78%)
🇨🇦 Canada: 554,612,000 lbs (−3.54%)
🇳🇿 New Zealand: 397,912,000 lbs (+2.99%)
🇲🇽 Mexico: 367,279,000 lbs (+9.83%)
🇺🇾 Uruguay: 248,572,000 lbs (+44.78%)
🇳🇮 Nicaragua: 103,110,000 lbs (+10.32%)
🇵🇾 Paraguay: 93,742,000 lbs (+616.46%)
🇦🇷 Argentina: 72,458,000 lbs (+41.74%)

U.S. CATTLE REPORT: https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/u-s-cattle-report