AgTalk: The Do More Agriculture Foundation announces partnership renewal for mental health across agriculture
Canada August 19 2025 - The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) proudly announces the renewal of AgTalk, Canada’s premiere online space in the agriculture sector for mental health connection and community. AgTalk is a specialty agricultural community within the powerful online site Togetherall. On Togetherall, individuals 16+ can anonymously and safely connect, share, and receive support from a community of peers who also understand the pressures of farming, and the pressures of staying mentally well. Backed by 24/7 clinical moderation, hundreds of people have found strength within AgTalk since its inception in 2023. One said, “I like that this is a place where I can express myself without judgement.”
Recognizing the challenges across agriculture when it comes to mental health, BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada Inc., RBC Foundation, and The McCain Foundation are once again partnering with Do More Ag for AgTalk.
“The renewal of AgTalk marks a powerful step forward in creating accessible mental health supports in agriculture,” said Sartaj Sarkaria, Chair of The Do More Agriculture Foundation. “We know that mental health can be hard to talk about, especially in rural and agricultural communities. That’s why we’re committed to supporting AgTalk—because connection saves lives. By continuing to invest in safe, anonymous, peer-driven spaces like this, we’re sending a clear message: no one in agriculture has to struggle alone.”
“At RBC, we recognize that the well-being of our agricultural producers is just as important as the work they do to feed our country,” said Lorna McKercher, National Director Agriculture, RBC. “Mental health challenges can be isolating, especially in rural and remote areas where farmers and producers may not have access to in-person services. That’s why RBC Foundation is proud to support AgTalk and The Do More Agriculture Foundation, helping to provide a safe and accessible space where those in agriculture can connect, share, and find the support they need, whenever they need it.”
With over 10,000 interactions since its launch, AgTalk is a key resource. More than 60% of AgTalk users are not receiving any formal mental health support, and one third of users access no mental health support at all outside AgTalk. Many people who turn to AgTalk are at risk: fully one in three AgTalk users had considered suicide and over 10% had made an attempt to end their life. The top five issues for AgTalk users are stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and relationships. AgTalk users come from right across Canada, right across ages, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.There is no doubt: AgTalk is meeting critical mental health needs and is making a difference.
“In agriculture, where long hours, unpredictable conditions and high stakes are part of daily life, talking about mental health can be difficult. Too often, members of our community face these challenges in silence and feel isolated. That’s why platforms like AgTalk matter,” said Leta LaRush, Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada Inc. “AgTalk is helping reshape how mental health is approached in our industry by creating space for real connection, shared experiences and peer-to-peer support for farmers and people working in agriculture. It’s inspiring to see this shift happening and to be a part of a future where everyone knows that support is always within reach.”
“The McCain Foundation has a long-standing commitment to agricultural families and communities across Canada,” said Ann Evans, Chairperson of The McCain Foundation. “We recognize that mental health is a serious concern in this sector and more support is needed. AgTalk is an innovative and impactful resource for farmers and agricultural workers across Canada. The McCain Foundation is proud to provide continuing support.”
“Togetherall is excited to continue partnering with AgTalk to extend mental health support options to the agriculture community,” said Matthew McEvoy, CEO of Togetherall. “Easy, anonymous access helps members take that next step on their mental health journey and join a community of folks that can connect and relate to some of the challenges being faced. Anyone can benefit from the support of their peers and through this partnership, more people will now have access.” Togetherall also launched a special trained peers program which includes AgTalk. With focused training and guided support, AgTalk trained peers connect, chat, and engage to build an even stronger online community. Do More Ag welcomes more advocates of mental health in agriculture to become trained peers on the platform.
The Do More Agriculture Foundation is deeply grateful for the steadfast support for AgTalk powered by Togetherall. "We understand that mental health journeys are deeply personal, and everyone moves at their own pace," said Merle Massie, Executive Director of Do More Ag. "I explain AgTalk as the farmer coffee row within the Togetherall community, backed by trained clinicians. Anyone involved in agriculture is welcome. You don’t have to be in crisis to find AgTalk useful and powerful. We are proud to work with our partners to build a space where people can be themselves, and welcome, without masking what they’re feeling and pretending to be OK.”
Massie added, “We know that Togetherall clinicians have helped AgTalk users through some difficult issues – it’s not a stretch to say that AgTalk saves lives."
For more information about AgTalk and The Do More Agriculture Foundation, please visit domore.ag/agtalk.
Media Contact:
Merle Massie
Executive Director
merle@domore.ag
306-948-6171
About The Do More Agriculture Foundation:
The Do More Agriculture Foundation is the national voice and champion for mental health in Canadian agriculture. We cultivate a culture of wellbeing within Canadian farming communities. Started by farmers, for farmers, The Do More Agriculture Foundation encourages Canadians across agriculture to talk more, ask more, and listen more about mental health.
About Togetherall:
Togetherall is the clinically moderated, online community where individuals give and get support on concerns affecting their mental health. Individuals share what’s on their minds, anonymously, safely, and in the moment with peers who have similar lived experiences. Togetherall provides an unmatched level of clinical rigor. All our online moderators are licensed mental health clinicians, ensuring 24/7 oversight of our peer-to-peer community and immediate risk-detection and clinical intervention, if the need arises. To date, over 4.6 million individuals worldwide have access to Togetherall with the majority of users joining citing feelings of depression and/or anxiety.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions Division:
BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has over 625 employees who work at one of three production facilities across Canada including: Lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Regina, or one of several research farms across the Canadian prairies. Agricultural Solutions is the largest division of BASF Canada Inc., working closely with the regional Agricultural Solutions team, collaborating on research and product development that benefits North American growers. To find out more about BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions, visit www.agsolutions.ca or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/BASFAgSolutions.
Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2022, our division generated sales of €10.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF:
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
About The McCain Foundation:
The McCain Foundation believes that strong communities offer citizens well-being and opportunity in all areas of life. The McCain Foundation has a deep appreciation for the contributions rural communities have made to McCain Foods Limited, especially those near production facilities in the Atlantic Provinces, Alberta and Manitoba. Grants are provided in these regions for projects, both small and large, in the areas of arts and culture, community services, education, environment and health and welfare.