In the early days of We Talk. We Grow. efforts, amidst a global pandemic, we were proud to be able to offer immediate mental health supports — including free webinars and workshops — to farmers and their families. But even then, it was clear that short-term responses wouldn’t be enough. Lasting change would require a broader strategy.

With support from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) COVID-19 Agriculture Response Program, Farm Safety Nova Scotia developed the Blueprint for a Mental Health Action Plan for Nova Scotia Farmers, a foundational document outlining key areas of concern and setting out recommendations for improving farmer mental health across the province.

This Blueprint also served as the basis for launching We Talk. We Grow. — a campaign aimed at reducing stigma and sparking conversations within the farm community.

We refer to it as a “blueprint” rather than a final action plan because it was never meant to be a standalone solution. Instead, it’s a collaborative framework — one that must be continually shaped and advanced alongside farmers, industry leaders, and government decision-makers to create real, lasting impact.