Back to Ag Program

Getting farmers back to what they love – farming

The Back to Ag Program is a funding project focused on supporting the cost of adaptive technology for farmers that have experienced a traumatic injury. The Back to Ag Program is funded by FCC and delivered in partnership with CASA and the Rick Hanson Foundation.
CASA is now accepting applications year-round for the Back to Ag program. Applicants must be farmers who have experienced a life-altering incident resulting in a disability. They must demonstrate that the purchase of specialized equipment or adaptation of existing equipment will help them get back to work on the farm safely.
For more information on the Back to Ag program, email backtoag@casa-acsa.ca.

Yvan Bergeron

“Back to Ag is finally a program for us, traumatically injured farmers. Supporting Back to Ag is supporting a farmer who has limitations to continue living his passion and thus carrying on his active contribution to society.”
– Yvan Bergeron, Quebec farmer

Barry Cloutier

“Definitely apply. Find out more and use it for something that’s going to help you and be useful on your farm.”
– Barry Cloutier, Saskatchewan farmer

Mark Verleun

“I am very, very grateful to Back to Ag and their funding partners for selecting me for their program. The program has been a great boost to my ability to continue farming and raising cattle in a safe manner.”
– Mark Verleun, PEI farmer

André Veilleux

“Thanks to Back to Ag, I could get the stand-up wheelchair. It allows me to work in my workshop and handle tools and repair equipment properly.”
– André Veilleux, Quebec farmer

Apply to Get Back to Ag Today

Want to get back to ag? Great! Please download and read both the Program Description and Terms of Reference for the program before you start your application process. This will provide you with additional information about program criteria and the application process. Once you are ready to apply for the program, please fill out the online Application Form below, or download a pdf version of the Application Form and submit your application via email. Please note that all applications must include a signed Letter of Support from a medical professional verifying the nature of the adaptive technology requested in the Application Form, recommendations on return to work solutions, and confirmation that the applicant can return to farming safely. Questions? Email CASA at backtoag@casa-acsa.ca.

Online Application Form

"*" indicates required fields

Applicant Information

Name*

Prefix First Middle Last

Address*

Street Address City Province Postal Code

Phone*

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

How did you hear about the Back to Ag Program?*

Contact Information

I am completing the form on behalf of an applicant*

Yes

Your Name*

Prefix First Middle Last

Address*

Street Address City Province Postal Code

Phone*

Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Traumatic Injury Description

Please describe your safe return to Agriculture Solution by providing the following information:*

Please describe the circumstances that caused the traumatic injury including:
- Date of incident, What were the circumstances that caused the traumatic injury, Level of injury

How is the injury impairing your ability to work on the farm safely?*

Letter of Support

Please provide a letter of support from a medical professional. Please see Application Guidelines on our website at www.casa-acsa.ca if you require more information. The letter should specifically refer to the project application and verifies that the project will assist the recipient in returning to work on the farm. The letter could also provide recommendations for return to work solutions. The letter should also indicate whether the applicant can return to farming safely.

Select File

Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, jpeg, Max. file size: 30 MB.

Reporting requirements

Applicant commits to submit a short report within 5 months of the award date*

Yes

Checklist

Please ensure you have completed the following:

By checking this box, I, the applicant, confirm that I am a Canadian citizen 18 years or older*

Yes

By checking this box, I, the applicant, confirm that I am/was an active farmer before the incident*

Yes

By checking this box, I, the applicant, confirm that I have attached a letter of support from a medical professional for the project and grant permission for CASA to contact them if required.*

Yes

By checking this box, I, the applicant, if successful agree to submitting a photo of the adaptive technology*

Yes

Would you the applicant agree to be contacted by CASA for more details on your story?*

Yes

Acknowledgment

By signing below, the applicant verifies that all information in this application is true, to the best of his or her knowledge, and accepts all of the terms and conditions of the Back to Ag program as set out in this Application, the Program Description, and the Back to Ag Application Guidelines. The applicant further acknowledges that selection for Back to Ag funding and recipient lies within the absolute and unfettered discretion of CASA and nothing contained herein shall be construed as a guarantee of funding or acceptance into the Back to Ag program.

The applicant acknowledges that the personal information provided to CASA including their name, address, contact information and other information relating to this application will be used for the purposes of determining whether the Applicant qualifies for a grant pursuant to the Back to Ag program. That may include contacting the Health Care provider regarding details provided in this application.

Signature*

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Apply Now!

Use the online form or download a copy of the form below to submit your application.

Back to Ag Program Application Form

Helpful Links

Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities (English only) – Manitoba Farmers Assistive Tools Kit: Helping farm families face the challenges of injury, illness, and disability
The Manitoba Farmers Assistive Tools Kit is intended to enhance the lives of farmers and their families who face the challenge of living and working with a disability.
AgrAbility (U.S. – English only) – Worksite and Vocational Issues
Agricultural workers with disabilities normally need assistive technology, modifications to their worksites, assistance with funding disability-related expenses, or guidance in exploring new career paths.
AgrAbility (U.S. – English only) – Evaluating Agricultural Workplace Assistive Technology for Secondary Injury Hazards: An Assessment Tool for Professionals Who Assist Farmers and Ranchers with Disabilities
This document is an assessment instrument desgined to estimate the potential for ‘secondary injury’ from the use of ‘assistive technology’ by farmers, ranchers, or other agricultural workers who have disabilities.