Belonging in Agriculture: Why Inclusive Communities Matter
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Agriculture is built on community.
In rural communities, neighbours help neighbours. People show up during difficult seasons, celebrate good years together, and rally around one another when life becomes overwhelming. Across Canadian agriculture, connection and community are woven into daily life — at the rink, at the auction mart, at market, at the feed store, at community halls, and around kitchen tables.
For many people, agriculture is more than a career. It is family history, identity, place, and purpose. It is a way of life deeply connected to belonging.
However, not everyone experiences that sense of belonging equally.
For some people working across agriculture and agri-food, rural communities can also feel isolating. The pressure to “fit in,” fear of judgment, or feeling unseen can make it difficult to fully participate in the communities and industries they care deeply about. During Pride Month, which takes place during the whole month of June, it is important to recognize the role that inclusion, connection, and psychological safety play in supporting mental wellbeing across agriculture.
The Mental Health Impact of Belonging
Human beings are wired for connection. Feeling accepted, respected, and comfortable to be ourselves has a profound impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Research consistently shows that isolation, stigma, and exclusion can increase stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. This can be especially true in rural communities, where social networks are smaller, privacy can feel limited, and people may worry about how they will be perceived if they are open about who they are.
For 2SLGBTQIA+ people in agriculture and rural communities, these pressures can create an added layer of loneliness, concealment, or invisibility. The Centre for Suicide Prevention notes that queer identifying people experience elevated suicide risk. Higher suicide rates are particularly associated with contexts where stigma, discrimination, and lack of acceptance are present, while supportive, affirming environments and a sense of belonging are important protective factors.
Supportive communities matter because they help reduce that isolation. They create spaces where people can ask for help, seek connection, and participate more fully in community life without fear of judgment or rejection. Even small acts of inclusion — a welcoming conversation, visible support, or knowing there are others like you in the industry — can have a meaningful impact.
Belonging is not a small thing. It is deeply connected to mental wellbeing.
Why Inclusion Matters in Agriculture
Inclusion is not about politics. It is about people.
It is about ensuring that everyone working across agriculture and agri-food feels welcomed, respected, and valued in the communities and industries they care about. It is about creating environments where people can contribute fully without feeling pressured to hide who they are.
Visibility matters too. In many rural spaces, 2SLGBTQIA+ people may feel isolated or unsure if they are truly accepted. Representation and visible support can send an important message: you are not alone, and you belong here.
Our food system brings people together and is strengthened by diverse experiences, perspectives, and people. Across Canada, 2SLGBTQIA+ farmers, ranchers, producers, researchers, advocates, ag professionals, and community leaders are already contributing to the strength and future of the industry every day.
Creating more inclusive communities benefits everyone. Communities rooted in respect, care, and connection are healthier communities overall. When people feel seen and supported, they are more likely to stay connected, reach out during difficult times, and build meaningful relationships within their communities.
A Message of Support During Pride Month
This Pride Month, we want 2SLGBTQIA+ people working across our Canadian agriculture and food system to know this clearly:
You belong here.
You belong in agriculture. You belong in our rural communities. You belong in building the future of this industry.
There are 2SLGBTQIA+ people in every corner of Canadian agriculture — on farms, in research labs, at ag businesses, in advocacy organizations, at commodity groups, and in rural communities across the country. Our contributions matter, and our presence strengthens agriculture.
Nobody should feel they must choose between being part of agriculture and being fully themselves.
Building stronger communities starts with making space for people to feel seen, respected, and welcomed exactly as they are. That work belongs to all of us.
As we continue conversations about mental health in agriculture, we must also continue building communities where connection and belonging are possible for everyone.
This Pride Month, we invite 2SLGBTQIA+ people working across Canadian agriculture and agri-food to join the new Canadian Queer AgriFood Network and help cultivate a stronger sense of belonging across our industry. To learn more or get involved, send a brief introduction to info.cqafn@gmail.com.