About the Sustainable Farm Families Program

The Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) program, an integral part of the Heartland Training & Support Hub, is revolutionizing the health, wellness, and safety of Alberta’s farming community. Launched in 2014, SFF has delivered over 150 workshops to more than 1,500 farmers and ranchers. This comprehensive program offers free annual physical and mental health assessments conducted in one-on-one sessions with our Registered Nurses. It’s not just a program; it’s a commitment to the holistic well-being of our rural population, empowering them to manage their health proactively. With a focus on mental health, SFF addresses both physical and psychological aspects, ensuring farmers have the support for sustainable living and working environments, even amidst the plethora of challenges farmers and ranchers face daily.

We invite you to host a Sustainable Farm Families workshop for your farm, colony, or regional group of farmers. Our workshops are also tailored for specific commodity groups and agricultural societies and associations, ensuring relevance and impact. Bring this vital program to your community and contribute to the well-being of Alberta’s agricultural heartland. Together, we can foster healthier, safer, and more sustainable rural lifestyles. Contact us to organize a SFF workshop in your area.

Program Manager:
Keylan Kado
Cell: 403.330.3967
Programs@heartlandsupport.ca

Sustainable Farm Families Info Graphic

In-Community Workshops

Workshop Topics

Participants in SFF Alberta are invited to attend 3 consecutive annual workshops held either in their community or on their farm.

The following health, well-being and safety topics relevant to farming and rural populations are discussed.

Year 1 Workshop	Year 2 Workshop	Year 3 Workshop
State of Rural Health	Mental Health	Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease	Alcohol Use & Misuse	Respiratory Health
Diabetes	Men’s Health	Physical Activity
Nutrition & Diet	Women’s Health	Farm Safety
Stress Management	Farm Safety
Farm Safety

Health Assessments

Individual health assessments are performed by a registered nurse before each annual workshop begins.

Personal health assessment outcomes are then available for each workshop and can be compared year over year.

In peer group discussions, farmers learn what each outcome measurement means and how their actions impact those outcomes.

Basal Metabolism	Diabetes Risk
Blood Pressure	Eyesight
Blood Sugar (HbA1c)	Metabolic Age
Body Mass Index	Muscle Mass
Bone Density	Oxygen Saturation
Body Water	Stress Management and Mental Health
Cholesterol	Visceral Fat