Feb 6, 2026
Strong Farms. Strong Minds. Strong Communities.
AgWellAB was proud to attend the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies Convention as a trade show exhibitor this year. The event brought together agricultural leaders, volunteers, producers, and community organizations from across the province.
Our booth focused on one central theme: the human side of farming.
Throughout the convention, we spoke with agricultural society members about the stressors they see in their communities and the role local organizations can play in supporting farmer well-being.
We also introduced attendees to several of our initiatives, including:
In The Know – a mental health literacy workshop tailored for agriculture
COMET – a peer-based communication model designed to strengthen conversations in rural communities (coming soon!)
Staying Steady Under Farm Pressure (coming soon!) – skills-based strategies grounded in cognitive behavioural approaches and adapted for everyday farm life
One of the highlights of the booth was the interactive engagement activities. Participants shared responses to the question, “What is the hardest part of farming that most people don’t see?” The answers reflected themes we see in our research: isolation, financial uncertainty, succession stress, public misunderstanding, and the emotional weight of caring for land and animals.
The AAAS Convention reinforced something we believe strongly: agricultural societies are key partners in supporting resilient rural communities. They are trusted, local, and deeply connected to the people they serve.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, spun the wheel, added a note to our board, or shared your story. We look forward to building on these conversations across Alberta.
If your agricultural society is interested in hosting a workshop or collaborating on a future initiative, we would love to connect.
