By Alice McFarlane

Thanks for Farming tour travels across the prairies

Jul 13, 2020 | 3:11 PM

A Watrous, Sask. area farmer is taking part in a summer tour sponsored by an agriculture company based in Winkler, Man.

Lesley Kelly is one speaker on the Thunderstruck Ag Equipment Thanks for Farming Tour. There were three stops late last month in Manitoba with two more this week in Alberta.

Kelly is one of the founding members of DoMoreAg an important mental health resource for farmers and the agriculture sector.

“Farmers have told me they came to hear me speak, hear more about stress, know they aren’t alone and to talk about mental health,” Kelly said. “It has been encouraging that mental health and talking about it has become less taboo.”

Kelly said stress is top of mind. Farmers have told her the top issues include the weather, COVID-19 and the changes in their routine, family dynamics and finances.

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She said she shares her story and is a sounding board for anyone who wants to talk.

“I’m not an expert in mental health or a mental health professional. I’m just hear to share that they aren’t alone and I’m here as someone who can listen and help take that weight off of their shoulders if they don’t have anyone to talk to or are looking for someone to relate too.”

As Kelly has been travelling around the prairies she said the condition of the crops vary from region to region.

“It’s been a real mix. I’ve been where they are flourishing, and I’ve also been where there has been too much rain and the crops were under some stress, so it depended on the area I was in.”

Kelly was in Brandon when a huge storm dumped nine inches of rain with extensive flooding.

Thanks for Farming Tour will make three stops later this month in Saskatchewan, July 24 in Assiniboia, July 27 at Craik and July 29 in North Battleford.

Kelly also hosts a podcast called High Heels and Canola Fields.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF