A Watrous area farmer is one of the speakers at the “Thanks For Farming Tour”—an outdoor event that meets all COVID-19 requirements.

Lesley Kelly had spent three months or so mainly on the farm, prior to attending the first tour event last month in Manitoba.

“I had reservations actually because I had been with my family, we have been in our bubble for the last few months, so it was hard for me to leave my kids because we had gotten into our own routine,” she said. “But seeing people and hearing stories, being out in different areas and crop checking—it has really fuelled my bucket, so I’m really fortunate to be out.”

Kelly says it has been encouraging that mental health has become a less taboo topic among farmers. That’s a good thing become there are many stressors right now.

“They include the weather, COVID, a changes in the routine, family dynamics and finances,” she said. “It has been anything and everything and I’ve been hearing that stress is top of mind.”

Kelly says it helps to have someone to talk to to take that weight off their shoulders.

The Thanks for Farming Tour, sponsored by Thunderstruck Ag Equipment, is continuing this week in Alberta. There will be three stop stops in Saskatchewan later this month:

Assinaboia              July 24
Craik                        July 27
North Battleford   July 29