High Heels and Canola Fields

12/02/2025

Farming is one of the most rewarding jobs out there, and it can also be one of the loneliest. Behind the beauty of wide-open fields and the pride of feeding the world, there’s a quiet struggle many farmers face every day: feeling alone. Talking about loneliness is important, not just for mental health but for keeping farm families and communities strong.

We don’t often talk about loneliness in farming. It can creep in slowly—after days spent working alone in the field, missing time with loved ones, or feeling like no one truly understands the weight you carry. The reality is, loneliness is common in agriculture, but that doesn’t mean it has to be part of the job.

The long hours, rural isolation, and pressure to always “push through” make it easy to feel disconnected. But you’re not alone in this. There are ways to combat loneliness and build connection:

🌾 Stay connected – Prioritize regular check-ins with family, friends, or neighbors. Even a short call or message can make a difference.
🌾 Join a community – Whether it’s a local ag group, an online forum, or a mental health support network, finding people who understand can help.
🌾 Take breaks – Stepping away, even briefly, can improve your mindset. Go for a drive, grab coffee with someone, or take a walk.
🌾 Talk about it – Loneliness thrives in silence. Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.
🌾 Check in on others – A simple “How’s it going?” can mean the world to someone who’s struggling.

Feeling lonely doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human. And in this industry, we have each other. Let’s start talking about it, looking out for one another, and reminding each other that we don’t have to do this alone. 💛

For more, check out the full article I wrote and more wellness resources at www.domore.ag/wellness-tips

20/01/2025

Frosted from head to toe here in Sask - who needs mascara when Mother Nature gives you ice lashes? 😁 Stay warm out there, folks! ☀️

14/01/2025

*ad Hockey season has quickly become one of my favorite times of the year as a hockey mom. 🏒 I’m all about cheering, helping where I can... but let’s just say, being in net is not my calling! 😂 Thankfully, I’m much better at scoring McDonald's Canada $4 + tax Fan Day Deals! 🍔✨ Big Mac, McChicken, or Filet-O-Fish for just $4+ tax? Now that’s a win I can handle. Download the McDonald’s App to grab these deals every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Because while I might miss every puck, I’m not missing out on Fan Day Deals! 🏆

13/01/2025

Farming isn’t just about tending to the land and/or animals; it’s carrying the weight of expectations, challenges, and uncertainties 🌾

If today feels heavy, know this: you’re not alone. Your work matters, but so do you 💚

What’s one way you show yourself kindness when the load feels overwhelming?

02/01/2025

🌾Farm Chef Recipe Project: Last Chance to Share!

Feeding our farm team didn’t come naturally to me at first, but my dad showed me the power of farm meals in building connection and supporting mental health. Now, bringing meals to the field is one of my greatest joys, knowing that every dish connects us to the land, the work, and each other.

Farm chefs are the unsung heroes of agriculture, fueling hard-working hands and creating a space for community amidst the hustle. This project honors my dad’s love for food, farming, and field meals, and it’s become a way for me to share comfort through the recipes that keep us going.

I’d love your help in celebrating farm chefs and the memories we create around the table. Your stories and recipes will inspire farm chefs everywhere.

Submit your recipes by Jan 3: https://forms.gle/53oRgxLttFfSvpoo8

Thank you for being part of this special project! 💚

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas from our farm family to yours! Wishing you a season filled with love, laughter, health and the beauty of life’s simple joys. 🎄✨ ❤️

18/12/2024

The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, but for many of us, it can be a season of grief and emotional challenges. Whether it’s mourning a loved one, grieving a tough harvest and/or season, or reflecting on life’s changes, the weight of loss can feel magnified in farming, where life is so deeply tied to family, tradition, and the land.

The demands of farm life—long hours, isolation, and responsibility—make processing grief even harder. Add holiday pressures, like gatherings or traditions, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone.

Here are some ways to navigate grief during the holidays:

🌟 Acknowledge your feelings: Grief isn’t linear, and it’s okay to feel however you feel.

🌟 Set boundaries: Say no to events or traditions that feel too overwhelming. Focus on what brings comfort.

🌟 Honor your loss: Small gestures like lighting a candle or starting a new tradition can keep loved ones close.

🌟 Lean on your community: Share with friends or neighbors who understand farm life.

🌟 Seek professional support: If grief feels too heavy, reaching out to a counselor can help.

For those supporting someone grieving, small actions—like offering a meal or helping with chores—can make a big difference. Be patient and kind; everyone experiences grief differently.

Though grief is heavy, the season can also hold moments of hope and healing. Cherishing memories, connecting with loved ones, or finding peace in the farm’s rhythm can provide solace. Like the seasons, grief evolves over time, making space for renewal and gratitude.

If you need support, has a list of resources and upcoming events across Canada.

Lean on each other this season, as farming communities always do. 🌾❤️

13/12/2024

💚 Farm Chef Recipe Project: Share Your Recipes! 💚

Feeding our farm team didn’t come naturally to me at first, but my dad fostered a culture on the farm that prioritized mental health and connection. Field meals became a cornerstone of our farm culture—a time where some of the best memories were made and shared. Now, I take great pride in bringing meals to the field, knowing our family and team all played a part in growing and preparing the food.

This recipe project is deeply personal to me. It started before my dad passed away from cancer and has become my way of honouring his love for food, farming, and field meals. Sharing recipes with others who share this passion has brought me immense joy and comfort during my grieving journey. ❤️‍🩹

Farm chefs play such an important role in keeping the farm and farmers fueled, and there’s so much joy in this supportive community of cooks who make it all happen. I’d love your help in creating a collection of recipes, stories, and memories to inspire and support farm chefs across North America.

🗓 Submit your recipes by December 13-28, 2024

While not every recipe may make it into the final collection, your kindness and creativity mean the world to me.

💌 Submit your recipe here: https://forms.gle/qUhCsPAauePRKpsW9

Let’s celebrate the spirit of farm chefs together—honouring food, family, memories and connection. 🌾🍲 Thank you for being part of this project!

11/12/2024

*ad When the snow’s piling up faster than I can clear the bin yard, there’s only one thing keeping me warm and going: my Frozen Hot Chocolate McFlurry! ❄️🍦 Farm life doesn’t stop, and neither do I—whether I’m plowing through snow or plowing through this frosty treat. It’s the perfect way to embrace the cold and treat myself while conquering winter chores. Don’t wait—grab your Frozen Hot Chocolate McFlurry from McDonald's Canada before this limited-time treat melts away!

29/11/2024

Once a year, we open up a sale for all our merchandise—and this time, we’re going BIGGER! 🎉 Enjoy 25% OFF on everything in the store, now through Monday! 🛒✨

Why now? Because we’re clearing space for exciting new stock coming soon, AND we’ve restocked some of your favorite items that sold out earlier this year! 🙌 It’s the perfect chance to grab what you’ve been waiting for—or gift it to someone special.

Plus, proceeds from every purchase go to Do More Ag () supporting mental health in agriculture—a cause close to our hearts. ❤️

📦 Heads up: Canada Post is currently on strike, so while we can’t guarantee shipping times, orders will be packed and ready to ship as soon as things are moving again. Thank you for your patience and support! 💌

🛍️ Use code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout for the discount and FREESHIPPING for local pickups!

Link in bio or visit highheelsandcanolafields.com. 💻

26/11/2024

*ad As a mom to two growing boys, it can be a challenge to come up with meal ideas, have the time to cook, and not break the bank. Whether I'm running from the hockey rink, at the farm, or in the office, McDonald's is the perfect way to enjoy an affordable meal.Right now, McDonald's Canada has launched the new Cheeseburger Deluxe and expanded the McValue Menu to include a variety of items - all under $4 plus tax. The Cheeseburger Deluxe comes with a slice of processed cheddar cheese on a juicy, 100% Canadian beef patty with pickles and onions, ketchup, mustard, mayo style sauce, tomato, and shredded lettuce on a toasted bun. A delicious option without hurting your wallet. Head to your local McDonald's today to enjoy the McValue Menu items.

16/11/2024

11/11/2024

Lest we forget ❤️

My great-grandfather, Robert Martin Sr., proudly served in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force with the 28th Battalion, 2nd Canadian Division, 6th Infantry Brigade.

His service is commemorated in Watrous, SK, one of 60 Canadian locations participating in the “Honouring our Veterans Banner Program,” paying tribute to veterans like Robert who served in WWI.

Robert’s battalion departed from Montreal aboard the SS Northland, landing in Plymouth, England, on June 8, 1915. Just nine months later, he was in battle, serving in six battles from 1916 to 1918. He was twice wounded, with his final injury sustained at the Battle of Canal du Nord, after which he returned to Canada and was honorably discharged.

His military awards include:

🏅The 1914–15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal
🏅 Two gold casualty stripes on his dress uniform, marking his injuries in combat
🏅A “Good Conduct” badge and a white lanyard, signifying his respected status as an artillery soldier
🏅An Army Class “A” badge, recognizing his service on the front lines and honorable discharge

After the war, Robert returned home to farm in Renown with my great-grandmother, Lovey, raising nine children near the land we still farm today ❤️

Thank you to my family members who researched and compiled this info for its submission 🫶

🌹

01/11/2024

Both my husband and I have called the Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line and other crisis lines in times of need💚

The first time my husband called was in the midst of his first panic attack when he thought he was dying. He called it a life saving experience. This first time he was alone, late at night in a camper at the farm during seeding and he was scared he was having a heart attack because the symptoms between a heart attack and a panic attack can be very similar.

He called other times when he felt the onset of a panic attack. During these calls, the counsellors gave him tips and tools to help reduce his anxiety and help him get off (what he referred to as) ‘the anxiety rollercoaster.’ This was one of the first steps he took to getting further immediate and long term mental health support.

I’ve called the stress line in times where I needed reassurance, knowledge and further support of how to help my family during mental health challenges. I asked questions on how to start the conversation and help create a safe and comfortable environment for the conversations, what to do if the other person didn’t want to talk or share, and how I can continue to support myself. 

Others’ experiences of calling crisis lines may vary. Connecting with a professional when going through a difficult time can be challenging and may take more than once to “click” with one. Sometimes, you don’t have an immediate connection with the professional and that’s okay. Whenever that happens to me, I simply end the conversation and try again later — or call a different line. I know that it can be discouraging to try again, but I truly think that the people on the other end are doing the best they can with the resources they have.

Yet, crisis lines can be a life saving and life changing option. They were for Matt and I.

What happens when you call the Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line? Keep swiping to see.

The hardest step in Matt and I’s situation was picking up the phone and making the call. But it is so worth it, and so are you.

If you or someone in your family or farm team are going through a hard and stressful time, reach out and call the Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line at 1-800-667-4442.

29/10/2024

❤️ StrongHer Together: A Gathering for Women in Agriculture ❤️

I’m headed to Montana in a couple weeks!!! Join me in Fort Benton for an inspiring event filled with learning, connection, and community with women who are the heart of agriculture. Whether you’re working on the farm, running a ranch/farm, or part of the ag industry, this conference is here to empower and support you.

📅 Dates: November 11-13
📍 Location: Grand Union Hotel & Montana Agricultural Center

🎤 What’s on the Agenda? Expect engaging sessions on farm family transitions, safety, mental health and much more—all led by top speakers. And I’ll be there 😃

🎶 Plus: Live music, great food, and a chance to get professional headshots!

Let’s come together to learn, laugh, and lift each other up. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow and thrive —together.

Register here: StrongHer Together

17/10/2024

42🎉

I thought of some lessons I’ve learned, some the easy way, many the hard way, but all treasured. My ups, downs, everything in between, all with gratitude and excitement of what’s still to come.

Here’s my 42 ❤️

1. Be kind, especially when it’s hard, but don’t tolerate bullcrap.
2. True friends make life brighter—cherish them
3. Hold tight to your values, even when life tests them
4. Time with loved ones is priceless
5. Comparison steals joy
6. Trust your gut—it’s usually right
7. Gratitude turns what you have into enough
8. Not sure what to focus on in life, goals, purpose? Focus on you
9. Joy can be found in the simplest moments
10. Saying “no” is self-care
11. Perfection is overrated; progress matters more
12. Be the friend you wish you had
13. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself
14. Surround yourself with people who uplift you
15. Mistakes are lessons in disguise
16. Speak kindly to yourself—your mind listens
17. Celebrate small wins
18. Trust takes time but is worth building
19. Asking for help is a sign of strength - knowing when you need it is wisdom
20. Apologize when you need to
21. Chase experiences, not things
22. Stay curious; the world has much to teach
23. Life’s too short for grudges
24. Take care of your body; it’s your only home
25. It’s never too late to start over
26. Be intentional with your energy
27. Joy is contagious—spread it freely
28. Grief is love with nowhere to go; honor it
29. Slow progress is still progress
30. Your worth isn’t tied to your productivity
31. Love deeply, even when it’s scary
32. Remember that walking away from something unhealthy is brave
33. Laugh until your belly hurts—those are the best moments
34. Give people the benefit of the doubt—everyone is fighting a battle
35. When words fail, a hug can say everything
36. Be patient—good things take time
37. Your people will love you for who you are, not who you pretend to be
38. Give yourself permission to rest - even the earth needs a season to recover
39. Empathy can change the world, one heart at a time.
40. Life is unpredictable—find joy in the surprises
41. Grief is the price of love, and healing takes time
42. The best is yet to come❤️

16/10/2024

Can’t wait!! Hope to see you in Saskatoon on Nov 7&8 😃❤️

11/10/2024

This harvest marks a truly special moment on our farm. In this photo, Jennings is learning the ropes from Keith, who has been a cherished part of our farm crew for 35 years and was one of my dad’s best friends.

This harvest season is even more meaningful because it marks Keith’s incredible milestone—he’s now harvested alongside four generations of the Martin(Kelly) family. His dedication, wisdom, and heart have been woven into the fabric of our farm, and we are so proud to see him pass down his knowledge to the next generation.

Here’s to the legacy of hard work, tradition, and farm family. 🌾❤️