Hay Are We Okay?

In this episode, Merle talks with Clara Coleman, founder of Real Farmer Care, about something most farmers struggle with: taking care of themselves.. Coleman experienced burnout herself on a well-established family farm, and realized that grit and long hours weren't enough to sustain her or the people around her. From there, she tried something simple but powerful. She began crowdsourcing donations and sending farmers small, no-strings-attached cash for self-care. "Use this to take care of yourself," she'd say, mailing $100 gift cards to farmers across the continent. Those gift cards have gone toward everything from massage and new boots, to therapy, a hammock, date nights, or even just a night off the farm. While self-care can still feel uncomfortable or even unnecessary to some, Coleman believes that shame and stubbornness often keep people pushing until they reach a breaking point. Real Farmer Care challenges that mindset by offering farmers permission to rest—something she sees as essential if we want people to continue caring for the land and their communities. We love hearing your ideas, comments, and stories. Get in touch with Merle by sending your e-mail or audio message to feedback@domore.ag.

In this episode, host Merle Massie sits down with Kendall Whyte, the Australian founder of the Blue Tree Project. Kendall's brother Jayden pulled off a cheeky prank on the family's sheep farm: he and his friend painted a dead tree bright blue, then waited to see if their father noticed. Today, that blue tree has grown into a powerful symbol for mental health in rural and remote communities around the world. Note: This episode discusses suicide and its impact on families and communities. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. Suicide Crisis Help Line: call 9‑8‑8, text 9‑8‑8, or visit 988.ca or contact the National Farmer Crisis Line: call 1‑866‑327‑6701 (1‑866‑FARMS01) When Jayden Whyte died by suicide in 2018, the story of the blue tree, shared during the funeral, prompted first one friend, then another, to pull out the blue paint. Soon, that shared energy became the Blue Tree Project, turning grief into hope and action, lightness and fun, and opening big conversations. The simple, hands‑on act of grabbing a few friends, firing up the barbecue, and slapping bright blue paint on a dead tree (or a stump, a power pole, or an old bit of machinery) opens up real, honest conversations about how people are actually doing. Kendall Whyte says the blue trees act as a conversation starter, prompting families, friends and communities to ask, "Why is that tree blue?" then talk about mental health. Throughout the episode, Merle and Kendall draw a clear line between awareness and the need for real action. If you've ever looked at a dead tree or a junk pile and thought, "I should do something with that," this episode may be the nudge you need to grab some blue paint, call a few friends, and use your own corner of the yard to start a life‑saving conversation. You can register your blue tree here, and use this link to spot the blue tree closest to you. Even it's not a blue tree, if you've built something cool on your farm, Merle wants to hear about it. Whether you have created something silly, fun, joyful, or simply a place that brings people together on your land, send your e-mail or audio story to feedback@domore.ag. Our thanks to Rob Stone and Joe Stone for theirs.

Whether it's bull riding, steer wrestling, or saddle broncs, rodeos rely on the pickup man: the person who keeps riders safe and helps them out of harm's way. In this episode, we hear about the fantastic Yellow Feather - Pickup Man campaign for mental health in rodeo - and how you can be part of it. Content Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you are struggling, please check the resources we've compiled for you here. Morgan Lehmann grew up with cattle near Rosthern, Sask. In this episode she shares the heartbreak of losing her brother, Josh, to suicide. Lehmann and her family started the Josh Lehmann Memorial Team Roping Jackpot in her brother's memory. She then travelled to Cheyenne, Wyoming to see their Frontier Days rodeo, where she felt the profound effect of seeing hundreds of people wearing yellow feathers in their hat bands. Those small symbols open bigger conversations, as rodeo participants reach out for help, and reach out to help others. Tom Hirsig, CEO of Cheyenne Frontier Days, tells us the Pickup Man campaign started in 2022 when the long-running rodeo decided to showcase mental health and suicide awareness. The "Everybody Needs A Pickup Man" campaign was born. Lehmann knows firsthand the importance of talking openly about mental challenges, especially in a community that often values toughness over vulnerability. She brought the yellow feather campaign to her own memorial rodeo in memory of her brother Josh, and now brings yellow feathers — and mental health awareness — to rodeos and western events across Alberta and Saskatchewan. Her story shows how good ideas spread, building a culture of openness and transparency about mental health challenges, so we all can become "Pickup Men" for one another.

In this heartfelt conversation, hear how one family forged serenity and care from the shards of personal pain. When Diane Bergsma lost her son Dalles, her family chose to convert their woodlot into Three Oaks Cabin — a place of rest, healing, and restoration for farmers and first responders dealing with burnout, anxiety and depression. We hear firsthand from Dalles' best friend, Lucas Tamminga, why the process of building the retreat served as both a tribute and a healing journey. Note: this episode discusses suicide and its impact on families and communities. Most importantly, the family didn't do it alone. Contractors and community members from southern Ontario were soon on site, raising money, offering supplies and helping with construction. Jim Wierenga is an example: he admits that he isn't a mental health expert, but his shared values led him to support and lift up the idea. We also get a reality check on rural isolation with Lauren Van Ewyk, who leads the National Farmers Mental Health Alliance. Together, this community built a forest getaway in southern Ontario, creating a quiet space for farmers and first responders to decompress and retreat. With hope in their hearts, the people behind Three Oaks Cabin want to show how crucial it is to create places that unquestioningly support the people who most often suffer in silence. Here's the link to register that Merle mentioned in the show.

Hay Are We Okay? isn't a self-help podcast — it's a show about what happens when rural communities tackle mental health together. No gurus, no quick fixes. Just real stories that prove one thing: no one should walk alone. And, we can be there for one another. Host Merle Massie — farmer, author, historian, and Executive Director of The Do More Agriculture Foundation — brings practical wit, lived experience, a deep commitment to wellness and genuine curiosity to each episode. From challenges to change, Merle interviews real people who share what they're doing to cultivate a culture of well-being in their community. Listen for ideas, for hope and joy, fun and energy, support and care. We've got this - together.