Three Oaks Cabin: A Quiet Place to Rest

In this heartfelt conversation, hear how one family forged serenity and care from the shards of personal pain. 

When Diane Bergsma lost her son Dalles, her family chose to convert their woodlot into Three Oaks Cabin — a place of rest, healing, and restoration for farmers and first responders dealing with burnout, anxiety and depression. We hear firsthand from Dalles' best friend, Lucas Tamminga, why the process of building the retreat served as both a tribute and a healing journey.

Note: this episode discusses suicide and its impact on families and communities.

Most importantly, the family didn't do it alone. Contractors and community members from southern Ontario were soon on site, raising money, offering supplies and helping with construction.  Jim Wierenga is an example: he admits that he isn't a mental health expert, but his shared values led him to support and lift up the idea. We also get a reality check on rural isolation with Lauren Van Ewyk, who leads the National Farmers Mental Health Alliance. 

Together, this community built a forest getaway in southern Ontario, creating a quiet space for farmers and first responders to decompress and retreat. With hope in their hearts, the people behind Three Oaks Cabin want to show how crucial it is to create places that unquestioningly support the people who most often suffer in silence. Here's the link to register that Merle mentioned in the show.