Bites & Bytes Podcast The Recovering Farmer: Gerry Friesen on Farming and Mental Health
In this episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Gerry Friesen, also known as The Recovering Farmer. Gerry grew up on a grain and poultry farm in Manitoba, Canada, later running a hog operation with his brother, before transitioning into mediation and mental health advocacy. His personal journey through financial challenges, anxiety, and depression led him to co-found the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program and write his book, The Recovering Farmer.
Together, Kristin and Gerry explore the unique mental health struggles in agriculture, from the isolation of farm work to the pressures of identity, technology, and resilience. They talk about the weight of decision-making, the stigma around seeking help, and why community is essential for farmers and those supporting our food systems.
This candid and heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone in agriculture, food production, or critical infrastructure, along with anyone who wants to better understand the human side of farming. Gerry’s honesty and wisdom remind us that it’s okay not to be okay, and that talking openly can be the first step toward healing.
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Connect with Gerry Friesen — The Recovering Farmer
- Website: gerryfriesen.ca
- Book: “The Recovering Farmer” — available through his website and major retailers
- Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program: manitobafarmerwelnness.ca
- Instagram @gerryfriesen
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Episode Key Highlights
00:03:05 – Gerry’s diagnosis of anxiety and depression while farming
00:05:09 – Why he calls himself The Recovering Farmer
00:09:08 – The “robot in the silo” story and how tech misses the real problem
00:11:23 – The identity crisis farmers face when leaving the land
00:13:26 – Shame, stigma, and the surprising parallels with cybersecurity
00:17:23 – Why ag-specific counseling and wellness programs matter
00:22:24 – Coping strategies farmers can use in the moment
00:27:37 – GPS tractors, beeping alarms, and the stress of tech in farming
00:30:08 – Stress, decision-making, and resilience
00:35:29 – The message Gerry wants every farmer to hear: “It’s okay not to be okay.”
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