b'PARTNER CONTENTStepping up for Mental HealthBy: Sam Cloete, CEO - Kannar Earth Science, Ltd.B ack a handful of years ago, a researcher from the University of Guelph named Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton surveyed more than 1,100 Canadian farmers about their stress levels and mental health. 45% of the farmers she talked to reported high stress. 38% reported feeling mentally exhausted. 43% reported feeling cynicism. Less than 50% thought the agriculture industry offered enough mental health support. The statistics only underline what so many in this industry already know: agriculture can be very, very hard on the hu-man psyche. Production uncertainty, weather woes and market fluctuations can rattle the very toughest of farmers. But theres more: the inconsistent demands of farmingthe pressure and high intensity of certain weeks of production, countered by the waiting and wondering in otherscan be very difficult to navigate emotionally.While statistics arent available globally or for other parts of the agriculture value chain, I know from many personal conversa-tions that those same pressures impact farmers, seed companies, and secondary agricultural suppliers around the world.We know this ourselves. Though the innovation part of our business continues all year, Kannar Earth Science, Ltd has a huge ramp up in production for just a few months each winter/spring. Just like farmers and seed companies, we go seemingly overnight from a regular workload to pushing as hard as we can around the clock to achieve the necessary production. And just like farmers and seed companies, we rapidly decelerate back to quieter when that intensive preparation and production phase is over. Whether youre a primary producer or a company that sup- have a social committee tasked exclusively with building a sense ports farming, the production cycle is a very emotional process.of team, and we talk openly about how were truly doing. I feel resolved and excited before the season, toggle between in- We also look outwards towards agriculture as a whole. When tense adrenaline and feelings of overwhelm through the height ofwe innovate, we keep things simpleno complicated mixing, no production, then move from elated and relieved to uncertain andcomplicated rules, and the highest degree of latitude for adjacent even deflated once production is done.farm ingredients - so our products dont add to farmers in-season One of the biggest challenges of cyclical, inconsistent work- stress. We dont just care about a product being effective; we care load is that it can be very challenging to develop a year-roundabout it being a real benefit to the people who use it. identity related to what one does. Thats why finding an identityThis year, supporting mental health is especially important outside of what you doin our case, in our team and our compa- since we all face the added mental strain of an almost two-year-ny; in farmers case, in their family, their land and their commu- long pandemic. Farmers and ag businesses alike are carrying nityis so critical.extra business stress: pandemic-related costs, staffing challenges Kannar is not in the mental health and wellness business.and more. Theres fear and frustration attached to the pandemic However, we recognize that promoting mental health is criticalitself. And were all worn out from being disconnected from loved and needs to be actively supported in our industry. Within ourones and community. Lets be gentle to ourselves, extra thought-own business, we make fostering mental health a priority: we offerful to our teams, and together actively step up for our industrys a nap room and meditation room just off our production floor; wemental health. JANUARY 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /51'