Second Round of Applications Now Accepted
Winnipeg, MB, February 23, 2015 – The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) in partnership with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) is pleased to announce five farmers have been awarded Back to Ag funding.
The Back to Ag Program is a funding project focused on supporting the cost of adaptive technology that injured farmers or agricultural workers need to return to the work they love – farming.
To kick-start the program, FCC donated $100,000 to the Back to Ag Program following a successful two-week social media campaign. Individuals and other organizations also donated to the Back to Ag Program through both the RHF and the FarmSafe Foundation.
“Recipient feedback has been extremely positive,” says Marcel Hacault, CASA’s Executive Director. “This funding fills a need that isn’t met through insurance or government programs. This unique program is truly getting farmers Back to Ag.”
Back to Ag recipients are from across Canada, all have experienced a traumatic injury and all are actively farming. Funds will be used to modify a cattle handling system, retrofit a tractor with a lift, provide a sit-to-stand lift, modify a barn entry and purchase an accessible barn-loft staircase. Each of the participants’ Back to Ag projects will make farming with an injury safer and more productive.
“Across the country, FCC employees are constantly inspired by the passion, resilience and commitment of Canadian farm families, even in their most challenging times,” said FCC President and CEO Michael Hoffort. “We’re honored to do our part by helping to provide injured farmers with the support they need to get back Back to Ag.”
“Seeing the direct impact the Back to Ag program and partnership is having on farmers is incredibly encouraging and inspiring,” says Rick Hansen, CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “I urge more farmers to apply for the program to get the assistance they need to continue the work they love. Supporting our farmers is key to a sustainable and thriving agriculture industry in Canada.”
CASA would also like to announce that another application period is now open to apply for Back to Ag Funding.
Applications for the Back to Ag Program will be accepted from February 23, 2015 to April 24, 2015. Canadian residents who are 18 years or older, have experienced a life altering injury and are able to show their need and demonstrate how the adaptive technology will help them return to work on the farm are eligible to apply. The adaptive technology can come in the form of medical devices or accessibility tools like ramps or lifts or any other technology that will allow the producer in return to farm work.
Applicants are encouraged to visit casa-acsa.ca/BacktoAg, email backtoag@casa-acsa or call CASA at 877 452 2272 for more information and application forms.
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers. CASA is funded in part by Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative and receives additional support from the agricultural and corporate sectors. For more information, visit www.casa-acsa.ca, find us on Facebook or LinkedIn or follow us on Twitter @planfarmsafety.
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For more information, please contact:
Robin Anderson
Communications Officer
204-275-8870 or randerson@casa-acsa.ca
