Bethany Parkinson

Bethany is the manager, psychological support and education and is a registered social worker. She has worked in both clinical and healthcare settings, as well as in social services. During her master of social work, she completed research on mental health among Canadian farmers, which drives her interest to deliver tailored programming to support well-being among the agriculture community. Growing up on her family’s beef and purebred sheep farm outside of Elora, Bethany became aware at a young age of the impacts of overlooking basic needs and how this can translate into symptoms of mental illness, especially through prolonged periods of stress. This has fueled her interest in developing resources and education that fit the livelihood of farmers and that lead to lasting and healthy impacts.

“Mental wellness and community are tied so closely together with farming and agriculture. It is so important and rewarding for me to see individuals taking care of one another not only with farming, but with their wellness too! When farmers are educated on how to take care of themselves and one another, it supports in food sustainability with healthier farms!”