Farm Credit Canada (FCC), the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) are asking Canadians to help farmers and agricultural workers who have experienced a life-altering injury get back to the industry they love.
The Back to Ag campaign asks social media users to like or share campaign posts on Facebook and retweet campaign posts or use the hashtag #BacktoAg on Twitter. FCC will donate $1 for every like, share, retweet or #BacktoAg hashtag mention, up to $100,000, to a new granting program called Back to Ag.
The program will help injured farmers get back to the farm by providing the resources needed to purchase or modify adaptive technology. Social media users may like, share, retweet or use the hashtag as often as they want from May 29 to June 13.
“We care about our customers and we want to help those who have been injured, as well as raise awareness that returning to work post-injury is definitely possible,” said Greg Stewart, FCC president and CEO.
“This is good for the producer and contributes to a strong and prosperous industry, so we’re asking our loyal social media followers, and all Canadians, to join us in helping farmers in need.”
“With a click of your mouse or a touch of your mobile device, you can show your support for a program that will help get Canadian farmers and agricultural workers back to work after a life-altering injury,” said Rick Hansen, whose foundation aims to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities.
Every year, Canadian farmers and agricultural workers experience life-altering injuries, such as paralysis or lost limbs while doing farm-related work.
“This kind of equipment can be very expensive or difficult to access, forcing some farmers to leave agriculture all together,” according to Marcel Hacault, executive director of CASA.
The Back to Ag program will be open for applications in October of this year. Those interested are asked to visit www.casa-acsa.ca for more information.
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s vision is a country where no one is hurt farming and they are working with government, business, and farming organizations to support initiatives that equip producers, families and workers with the information and tools needed to make farms a safe place to live, work and play. CASA is funded in part through Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative, with support from the agricultural and corporate sectors. Connect with CASA at www.casa-acsa.ca through Facebook, YouTube or Twitter @planfarmsafety.
Since its establishment in 1988, the Rick Hansen Foundation has funded research to provide better care and outcomes for those who sustain a spinal cord injury, and contributed to improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
FCC provides financing, insurance, software, learning programs and other business services to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations.
