S.H.E.D. Talks
Sustaining Healthy Farms Through Empowerment and Dedication
About Project
The title S.H.E.D. Talks comes from an acronym which represents Sustaining Healthy Farms Through Empowerment and Dedication. Research for this project was done through the Men's Shed Association which was developed in Manitoba, Ontario and is a peer-run group that provides a safe and welcoming place for men to work on meaningful projects. Additionally, this is demonstrated through engaging in activities such as carpentry, construction, music, watching sports, etc., in aims of reducing social isolation.
Gateway's S.H.E.D. Talks project focuses on building connections and empowering an agricultural
community in Huron and Perth County. Further, it focuses on the goal of reducing social isolation and lessening the daily stressors that farmers experience.
We are currently in the stages of planning for our first ever S.H.E.D. Talks which will be announced very soon! For more detailed information on the background and aim of this project click the link below.
On Tuesday, November 4, 2022, Gateway CERH launched S.H.E.D. Talks.
The launch featured greetings and introductions from Gwen Devereaux, Gateway CERH’s President. Followed by greetings from Ben Lobb, MP Huron-Bruce; Glen McNeil, Huron County Warden Vicki Lass, Director of Economic Development Huron County; and Jim Ginn, Mayor of Central Huron. Margaret Vincent OFA Huron Perth outlines programs available to farmers under stress. Additionally, a group of approximately 25 Farmers from the Huron County region were present.
On Friday, February 24, 2023, Gateway CERH recieved a $25,000 grant from Hydro One towards the S.H.E.D. Talks Project.
Hydro One announced the 25 charitable organizations, Indigenous communities and municipalities that will each receive a grant of $25,000 from the Energizing Life Community Fund. This is the third year in a row that the fund will support community-led initiatives that promote physical, emotional, and psychological safety and well-being for Ontarians.
This year, one of the recipients of the Energizing Life Community Fund is the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health. With Hydro One's support, the organization plans to expand its S.H.E.D. Talks program, a communal and collaborative space for farmers to gather, build connections and access mental health support.
Our farmers are the most important business people driving the local, rural economy here and feeding our community. Keeping Farmers healthy should be the number one priority for our community.
- Gwen Devereaux, President of Gateway CERH
A big thank you to our help organizations for this project:
