Mental health: the overlooked side of farm safety AG SAFETY
Farming is a demanding career with unique stressors. Farmers spend long hours tending to crops and livestock while facing financial pressures from fluc-
tuating market prices. Unpredictable weather patterns can impact yields, and the isolation of rural living
adds another layer of challenge. All these factors significantly affect mental health.
During Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW), which takes place in the third week of March, it’s important to highlight not only physical health but also mental well-being as an essential component of safe farming.
Mental health matters in farm safety
When farmers experience mental stress, it can lead to fatigue, distraction and burnout. These challenges can cloud their judgment, reduce focus and result in unintentional mistakes, ultimately compromising safety on the farm.
Here are a few strategies to help improve mental health among farmers:
• Encourage open conversations. Many individuals in the agricultural community face stigma or feel isolated in their struggles, leading them to suffer in silence. Initiating open and honest conversations with local producers encourages transparency and helps break down barriers.
• Seek peer support. Farmers are uniquely positioned to understand the specific pressures their fellow producers face. Establishing peer support groups or mentorship programs allows them to connect with others experiencing similar challenges.
• Provide access to professional resources. Supporting initiatives that provide mental health training for agricultural workers, as well as connecting farmers with counsellors or therapists, can help address underlying issues such as anxiety, depression and burnout.
SE Women of Distinction Award recipients react to honours
David Willberg SaskToday.ca
Cea Anna Kerr speaks after winning the innovative leader award.
The recipients for the Southeast Women of Distinction Awards are proud of their accomplishments, but quick to credit those who help make their achievements possible.
The awards were handed out on May 2 at the Power Dodge Curling Centre in Estevan. Award winners were Cea Anna Kerr (Innovative Leadership Award, presented by Southern Plains Co-op); Angela Smeltzer (Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award, presented by TS&M Supply); Crystal Ross (Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award, presented by Steam Est Industries); Desiree DaSilva (Equity and Inclusion Award [non-traditional overcoming barriers], presented by Saskatchewan Blue Cross); and Kerison Burnett (Young Visionary Award, presented by Impact Creative Digital Services).
A total of 20 women were nominated across the five categories. The ceremony was organized by the Women for Women committee.
Cea Anna Kerr spoke after winning the innovative leader award. Kerr is a retired SaskPower employee who co-founded Studio C 24-Hour Fitness in 2017, bringing her passion for health and wellness to the Estevan community as an entrepreneur and fitness leader.
She holds the distinction of being Saskatchewan’s first International Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) Federation Professional Athlete. Over her competitive career, she has taken the stage at 30 IFBB pro shows, achieving ten top-10 finishes
and five top-5 placements.
She is also Saskatchewan’s first and only athlete to win a pro show in women’s physique and to compete at Mr. Olympia — the most prestigious event in bodybuilding.
Kerr noted that in her years of working, she was often the one female who stood up for women.
“I believe in equality in the workplace, so I was always one of the women to not be afraid to use her voice and to stand up for our rights and to be treated equally, especially in workplaces or anywhere,” she said.
Kerr said she wanted to bring a big-city gym to a small community. When she was growing up, she had great gyms, and so when she and her husband walked through the mall one day and saw some vacancies, they saw the potential.
“I absolutely love meeting so many in the community that come in our doors, and being an inspiration and motivation and just encouraging people to get more into fitness to make it something into your daily life.”
People need to be healthy inside and out, she said, and views exercise as an important part of mental health.
The other candidates for the Innovative Leadership Award were Kamri Olfert and Elicia Krupka.
Angela Smeltzer was recognized for her decades spent in education in Estevan. After beginning her teaching career in Ontario, she moved to Saskatchewan in 1990 and has worked at Pleasantdale School since 2002. She teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 8 and is known for managing split-grade classrooms.
Smeltzer said there are so many women who give so much to the people around them. She said she has had exceptional fellow staff
members at Pleasantdale, and before that, Hillside School, including administrators and fellow teachers.
“When you work with people like that, it’s so much fun,” said Smeltzer.
She pointed out she became a teacher by mistake. Her goal had been to be a sports medicine guru, but she found she enjoyed spending time with kids and told the crowd “it’s the best job you can have”.
“You go to school every day, and no day is the same. Every day is different. Every day is a gift because it’s a brand-new day. And then you get all these people – they’re little, they’re medium and they’re tall – and they look at you, and they want to understand something, and they want to learn something.”
She often tells the children they’re capable of something and reminds them it might be the day they do it. Smeltzer saw a lot of parents of children she taught in the crowd and in the community.
The other nominees for the Outstanding Contribution to the Workplace Award were Donna George, Selagh Eskra, Lianne Kenler, Brenda Mantei and Maribel Cabezudo.
Crystal Ross accepts the community award from Keith Cassidy with Steam-Est Industries. . David Willberg
Crystal Ross’ many involvements were recognized with the community award. A proud mother of two daughters and wife to Chad Ross, she helps run their fourth-generation cattle ranch near Estevan.
She is an advocate for sustainable ranching and the Canadian beef industry. As president of the Estevan Exhibition Association, and volunteer for so much more, Crystal is part of events that bring people together.
Ross said she has been married to her husband Chad for nearly 30 years, and said she wouldn’t be where she is without him, but he wouldn’t be where he is without her. “I have a lot of crazy schemes, and there’s a lot of women in this room that have joined me … and have seen my vision and have seen my dreams, and have just joined the ride. And it’s been a heck of the ride.”
When she heard lessons earlier in the event, she thought of her husband’s grandmother Helen on what to do about naysayers. She recalled the elderly woman, who has since died, told her that if her shoulders are strong enough, she should take the criticism, because the next woman might not. And Ross pointed out that often when someone says something bad, it’s because she’s doing something right.
Also vying for the honour were Rebecca Fedyk, Sydney Wanner, Maureen Ulrich, Debbie Wade, Brittany Brokenshire and Shannon Culy.
Desiree DaSilva won the Equity and Inclusion Award for working to make the city more connected and active. She works in two senior care homes, curls weekly, and will begin teaching youth curling next year.
She is the founder of Estevan Southern Impact, the city’s first arm wrestling club. Through this initiative, she not only competes but creates a supportive and empowering environment for youth and adults alike.
DaSilva said her family has been her rock through thick and thin, including when she made questionable decisions. “Thank you for always having my back, even when you probably wanted to steer me in a completely different direction. Your support means the world to me,” said DaSilva.
Kari Lawrence was also up for the Equity and Inclusion Award (non-traditional overcoming barriers).
Kerison Burnett is a Grade 12 student at the Estevan Comprehensive School. Outside of schoolwork, she enjoys reading,
photography and dance, mentoring young members of the latter activity. She is involved with the school’s student representative council, ECS SADD chapter and was stage manager for the school’s production of Mamma Mia! She embraces new challenges, having taken part in the University of Regina Honour Band and the RCMP Youth Advisory Committee. She plans to study engineering at the University of Saskatchewan this fall.
Burnett said there are so many programs and organizations in Estevan that are set up to encourage youths to explore, learn and lead. “So many individuals dedicate so much time and care to help us be better versions of ourselves,” said Burnett. Prysm Gooding was also nominated for the Young Visionary Award.
Burnett thanked two staff members, Tammy Podovinnikoff and Jessie Smoliak, for eneouraging her.
“I’m so lucky to have had both of you teach me multiple times in my high school journey, and you both do so much for the students. It’s because of teachers like that, that students Prysm and I feel empowered to go out and be leaders in our community.”
The recipients thanked those who nominated them, the organizers of the luncheon, their families and applauded the other nominees. Proceeds from the event will be directed towards scholarships for the Young Visionary candidates. Hundreds of people attended the luncheon.
The event also had a number of videos and some discussions with lessons for the audience. The Sisters of St. Joseph were inducted into the Trailblazers Memorial Walk for their contributions to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan.
Angela Smeltzer, Cea Anna Kerr, Desiree DaSilva, Kerison Burnett and Crystal Ross were this year’s award recipients.
David Willberg/SaskToday.ca
A number of staff from the Weyburn Family Foods marked 25 years since the business was
by gathering at the
gion for a reunion held May 3. In the back row, from left, are Maureen Loos, Doreen Knibbs, Cindy Renas, Ann Scott, Shelley (Rutten) Slyhuis and Shirley Hubbs. In the front row, from left, are Elaine Myer, Randy Wallin, Glen Wilson, Charlie McNeil, Dwight Carter, and Nancy St. Jules. Missing staff included Ray and Joyce, Patty, Brent, Ken, Wayne, Rick and Myrna, Cheryl, Pat and Phyllis.
Family Foods staff gather for reunion, mark 25th year since closure
Staff of the former Weyburn Family Foods gathered for a reunion at the Weyburn legion, to mark 25 years since the business closed in 2000.
The majority of employees at the beginning had previously worked for Canada Safety, which closed in April of 1988.
Ray Green was the manager when the Safeway store closed. It was then that he and his wife Joyce decided to open Family Foods as a family business. It was a large extended family, as most of the former Safeway employyes and some of their children worked at Family Foods. A
number of those staff were there until the closing of the store.
They were a large extended family. As a group that worked together, they also played togethe. They attnded dances with live bands, curling bonspiels, bowling, slo-potich tournaments, skido gatherings
at South Weyburn school, summer barbecues at Nickle Lake and amazing Christmas parties for adults and their children.
There were also special outhouse parties, at an outhouse built by Jim Hubbs, that would arrive at the host house for the party.
They also held an an -
nual pancake breakfast to support the Communithon, which was always well supported by the community.
During their slo-pitch tournaments, staff wore yellow shirts with Safewayt 388 (the store number) and their children always went along with matching shirts,
some of these children still have these shirts. To this day, a number of staff who live in or around Weyburn gather monthly for lunch and to visit. Annually, staff from all over the province meet for supper and reminisce about the good old days.
Weyburn council gives first reading of $10 utility fee bylaws
Sara Parks SaskToday.ca
Weyburn city council unanimously gave first reading of two bylaws, one for water and one for sewer service, that introduces a $10 monthly infrastructure fee for all properties connected to city utility services. The decision was made during council’s regular meeting on April 28, following a recommendation from the city’s Director of Engineering, Renee Cugnet.
The proposed bylaw aims to create a funding stream for urgently needed capital utility projects, with total estimated costs reach-
ing $10.2 million. The flat fee would apply to all utility users and is expected to generate approximately $468,000 annually toward utility infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
Coun. John Corrigan supported the motion, calling it a “good investment” and fair. “It applies to every building with a water meter,” he said. “If we don’t continue investing, our infrastructure could collapse — to put it bluntly.”
Coun. Kellie Sidloski said the fee isn’t ideal but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done on the infrastructure.
“We are hearing complaints about infrastructure, roads, facilities, and the reality of it is we just don’t have the money to fix everything,” she said, adding she hopes the city can move through the list of work that’s required so the city doesn’t “have a catastrophic failure for the community.”
Mayor Jeff Richards said it’s pay now or pay later, adding that the rate increase will only generate approximately two to four per cent of the immediate need over the next five to 10 years.
“It’s never easy but it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Coun. Larry Heggs said similar infrastructure fees are becoming more common in other municipalities, aligning Weyburn with municipal trends.
This new fee would be in addition to previously approved rate increases. In September 2024, council passed Bylaws 2024-3485 and 2024-3486 to set water and sewer rates through 2027. For a typical residence with a 5/8-inch utility connection, the fee increase would total $16.68 per month in 2025 — up from the previously approved $6.68 — and $17.23 in 2026 and 2027.
Cugnet said that many of the city’s water and sewer systems are nearing the end of their life cycle are in critical need of repair or replacement.
“As the costs of materials, labour, and technology continue to rise, the current methods of funding these capital projects (which is primarily dependent on general revenue and the occasional government funding grant) is insufficient,” said Cugnet in her report to council.
The YF Wives Women of Distinction Awards Gala was held May 2. Gale Regines was the recipient of the Weyburn Oilwomen’s Young Woman of Distinction Award.
Community members voice strong support for the Seven Stars Energy Project.
“A project of this magnitude will have a major effect on our community The way our economy is right now, with what’s going on in the U.S., we need everything we can get in terms of economic development We have agriculture and we have oil and gas, but we need something more to counteract the tariffs and we need more diversity in our economy.”
George Siourounis, Owner, Travelodge Weyburn
“Weyburn has a proud history of pioneering transformative projects…This project will move forward somewhere—let’s ensure Weyburn is the beneficiary rather than turning investment away.”
Nick Coroluick, Chairperson, Weyburn District Planning Commission
“The influx of workers and contractors means more customers for coffee shops, restaurants, and retail stores, driving additional sales and foot traffic. More economic activity can also lead to increased wages for employees, further supporting the financial well-being of residents and families in our region.”
Monica Osborn, Executive Director, Weyburn Chamber of Commerce
“The economic ripple effect of this project will have lasting benefits, making our region a more attractive and competitive place for businesses, investors, and families alike.”
Darcy McCormick, CEO, Jerry Mainil Ltd.
Receiving the YF Wives Community Service Award was Lindsee Michel (left). Meghan Patzer was awarded the Weyburn Credit Union Workplace Excellence Award. The FFC Influential Woman in Agriculture award went to Sarah Leguee, with the Access Communications Exceptional Entrepreneur award going to Leslie Gutzke.
A silent auction table was set up at the annual Awards Gala, with members of the Young Fellows Club assisting with serving dinner and beverages.
