Across the globe: Healthy Farmers, Healthy Farms —The Sustainable Farm Families Project

Background
A global issue facing agriculture is the health of its people. Farmers are ageing, working longer, and
experience illness, injury and suicide at high levels. Family members also provide the labour needed to
cope. In Alberta, farming is one of the most hazardous occupations and farmers are difficult to engage in
health, wellbeing and safety issues.
The Sustainable Farm Families (SFF™) project was developed in 2003 in Victoria, Australia by health care
providers, producer‐groups, industry, and researchers to address health disparities. In June 2013, three
representatives from Alberta, Canada travelled to Australia to investigate the SFF™ program, which had
been successfully delivered to over 2300 farmers.
Methods
Theoretical frameworks from agricultural extension, health promotion, adult learning and behaviour
change support the SFF™ model. In 2014 the Farm Safety Centre (FSC) received government funding to
undertake SFF™ with Albertan farmers. A 5‐day train‐the‐trainer workshop was held in Raymond, Alberta to
train the nurses and agricultural facilitators in SFF™.
Results
SFF™ Alberta delivered 4 SFF™ workshops to 42 farmers from diverse operations. Participants were aged
26‐76 years, 74% were male. An independent evaluation reported “The SFF Alberta workshops were
theoretically consistent with SFF Australia.” . Numerous health issues were detected, and farmers rated
the SFF™ program very highly. Health indicators and risk factors from the year 1 pilot will be presented.
Conclusion
The FSC successful delivery of SFF™ illustrates repeatability and transference of SFF™ internationally and
the opportunity to address farmer health globally through an evidence based program.