The rumble of vintage tractors echoed across Manitoba’s countryside this week as the annual Eden Mental Health Services Tractor Trek wound its way through rural communities, combining agricultural heritage with crucial mental health advocacy in a uniquely prairie fashion.
Now in its 15th year, the caravan of nearly 40 antique tractors—some dating back to the 1940s—traversed more than 150 kilometers of Manitoba’s southern landscape, drawing attention and raising vital funds for mental health initiatives in a province where access to such services remains challenging for many rural residents.
“Every mile these tractors cover represents someone’s journey through mental health challenges,” said Brad Unger, CEO of Eden Health Care Services, as he watched the procession of meticulously maintained farm equipment roll through Winkler. “The symbolism isn’t lost on anyone—these machines have weathered decades of service, just as many Manitobans weather their own storms.”
The trek has evolved from a modest fundraiser into a prominent mental health awareness campaign, collecting over $115,000 last year alone. Organizers expect to surpass that figure this year, with donations still flowing in as tractors complete their route through communities including Morden, Winkler, and Altona.
For many participants, like third-generation farmer Joseph Klassen, the trek carries deeply personal significance. “My grandfather struggled silently with depression his entire life because, in those days, farm men weren’t supposed to admit to such things,” Klassen explained while adjusting the throttle on his restored 1952 John Deere. “I drive his tractor in this trek every year because I want people to know times have changed, and it’s okay to seek help.”
Mental health professionals point to events like the Tractor Trek as vital community-based approaches to combating stigma, particularly in rural settings where cultural barriers to seeking mental health support often persist alongside limited service availability.
“In rural communities, we’re still fighting the perception that needing mental health support somehow indicates weakness,” noted Dr. Amelia Richardson, a psychologist specializing in rural mental health issues. “When respected community members openly participate in events like this, it legitimizes the conversation in a way clinical outreach alone cannot achieve.”
Provincial health data indicates approximately one in five Manitobans experiences mental health challenges annually, with access disparities between urban centers and rural areas remaining a significant concern across the Canadian healthcare system.
The trek’s organizers have strategically expanded their focus beyond fundraising to include educational components, with several stops featuring information booths staffed by mental health professionals providing resources and immediate support for attendees.
“We’ve actually had people approach our information stations during the trek and connect with services they didn’t know existed,” said Janice Hildebrand, Eden’s community outreach coordinator. “That immediate connection is sometimes the difference between someone continuing to suffer or beginning their recovery journey.”
Local businesses have embraced the initiative, with many displaying tractor-themed decorations and offering special promotions that direct portions of proceeds to Eden’s programs. This community-wide participation has helped normalize mental health discussions in areas where such topics were historically avoided.
As the distinctive parade of agricultural machinery makes its final stops this weekend, organizers are already planning next year’s expanded route. The initiative has caught attention across provincial politics, with several legislators expressing interest in supporting similar awareness campaigns throughout Manitoba.
For the farmers, mechanics, and tractor enthusiasts who maintain these vintage machines throughout the year specifically for this event, the trek represents a perfect alignment of passion and purpose—preservation of agricultural heritage while building a future where mental health support is accessible to all Manitobans.
As the sun sets on another successful trek, the question remains: In a province where distances between communities present real challenges to service delivery, could community-driven initiatives like this trek become the model for reaching those most isolated from traditional mental health supports?
