It can take time to find your true strengths.

FCC's Aimée Ferré Stang shares how she's discovered, honed and grown her strengths in crucial, business-related skills since starting her career. And many skills, such as HR, marketing and other skills deemed more "soft" often are not taught in high school. But these skills often help farms succeed – from leading your teams to applying for a loan. Ferré Stang shares the skills she wish she learned when she was younger, how she learned to sell herself, and how she applies those skills to those she helps in her day-to-day work.

Special thanks to gold sponsor FCC for its continued support of the IWCA Program.

How far can you go if you truly challenge yourself?

Bayer's Arvel Lawson shares her insights into her career, including how things changed when she internalized feedback. Having always thought of herself as a technical and science-based individual, Lawson found that when she channeled her curiosity into improving her people skills. She also discusses how she's formally and informally honed and improved her skills, what she's learned from her mentors and how people in all aspects of ag can learn from their relationships.

Special thanks to platinum sponsor Bayer for their continued support of Influential Women in Agriculture.

In our latest episode of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture podcast series, we speak to Cheryle Warkentine, Co-Owner of Aletta Holsteins.

Warkentine has been a driving force in modernizing and expanding her family’s farm, which includes dairy cattle, hogs, and laying hens.

Her innovative approach and dedication to sustainable farming practices have significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of the operation.

Beyond the farm, Warkentine is a pillar of her community. She manages sports teams, serves on her church’s leadership team, and initiates various volunteer programs, demonstrating her commitment to giving back.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Warkentine, one of the 2024 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell about her journey in agriculture, the challenges and rewards of running a diversified farm, the importance of innovation, and her extensive community involvement.

“Just the other day, I was looking at third-party certification for polyethylene drainage tubing, and wondering, ‘What does a master’s in sociology and a certificate in conflict mediation have anything to do with what I’m doing?’”

Mel Luymes, who holds several advocacy and organization roles in Ontario agriculture including executive director of the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO) has spent most of her life chasing diverse challenges, always aiming to reshape her own perceptions and enable lifelong learning. From growing up on a farm to pursuing an education in the humanities and now spending her days alternating between fields, offices and meeting many, many different kinds of people, Luymes views her career as a journey with no discernable end point, but rather continuous evolution.

In this discussion with agriculture editor Bree Rody, Luymes discusses how she transfers skills from one role to another, how she learned to stand tall when she’s one of the only women in the room and what she’s appreciated about the various friends, allies and mentors she’s encountered throughout her career.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2024 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  

For our inaugural episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Liz Robertson, the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA). With over 20 years of experience, Robertson has been instrumental in building and leading Canada's largest network of farm business professionals. Her dedication has provided continuous learning and networking opportunities for advisors, enhancing their ability to serve the complex needs of Canada’s farm families.

Throughout the interview, Robertson shares some of her proudest achievements and innovations in farm advisory services. She discusses the significant growth of CAFA under her leadership, with membership surpassing 600 professionals who regularly convene to exchange insights and learn from expert speakers. Listeners will gain insights into Robertson’s vision for the future of farming and her strategies for attracting and training a diverse range of professionals. Join us as we delve into her journey and influential role in shaping the future of farm advisory services.

Niagara Falls might not be the obvious venue for a late February trip, but each year Ontario's fruit and vegetable industry converges on the tourist hotspot for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC). Featuring a plethora of educational sessions, craft cider and beer competitions, a lively trade show, and much more, OFVC is the event for those looking for the latest, top-of-mind topics in fruit and vegetable production. One thing the pandemic put into perspective was the value of conversations held at events like this. Whether at a booth, between sessions, or during happy hour, having a casual chat is a great way to learn what other people in the industry are thinking, considering, or trying.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard spoke with:

• Amanda Tracey, vegetable crop specialist for tomato, pepper, eggplant, sugarbeet and table beets, OMAFRA, about how grower concerns drive session topics at OFVC, as well as Phytophthora capsici;
• Ray Janssen, Eastern Canada sales representative, Gowan Canada, about the company's latest miticide, Magister;
• Nicole De Long, director of business and client development, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, about the newly licensed HW624 pear and the Centre's partnership with the Greenhouse Technology Network;
• Note: Nicole mentions a session given by Alexandra, who is Alexandra Grygorczyk, research scientist, sensory and consumer services, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
• Rita Sterne, project manager, Greenhouse Technology Network, about the GTN and the role it plays in bringing new technologies to growers.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

Host Bree Rody catches up with Hamilton Economic Development's Tyson McMann, Business Development Consultant – Agri-Food and Food & Beverage, to discuss the importance of agriculture to the roots – and present – of the city of Hamilton. From the unique geographic and economic factors that lead to big opportunities, to challenges unique to the region, McMann also shares how you can get involved with and support agriculture business, products and the community in Hamilton.

Karen Della Campbell came to agriculture from a non-traditional path. During the course of her travels and studies to become a midwife, she and her then-boyfriend, now-husband lived in Eugene, Ore., and were surrounded by farms and market gardens – which she had never seen in southern Ontario in the 1990s. When they returned to Ontario, they opened their own market garden, selling through the Guelph Farmers Market, which led them to Hillsburgh, Ont.'s Everdale Farm, a former free school, once the land they were farming traded hands.

Since then, Campbell and her team have developed Everdale into a community hub, with a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, harvest parties, food security projects, connections with local food banks and youth groups, internships to educate others on sustainable agriculture, sharing the space with Indigenous and LGBTQ groups, and much more. Over the past 25+ years, Everdale – and Campbell – have become an example of ethos in practice: embodying and spreading the type of agriculture, social values, programs and charitable initiatives they want to see in the world.

In this episode of the 2023 IWCA podcast series, Campbell chats with AgAnnex editor Alex Barnard about pacing yourself, building connections and relationships, and letting your values guide your actions.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2023 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Our final GroundBreakers episode profiles Dr. Gary Sands of the University of Minnesota. Considered a leading educator in the field of drainage and water management, Dr. Sands is also known for his powerful collaboration skills. He’s led a series of drainage design workshops that have been a model for other extension drainage schools; he led the development of the annual Drainage Research Forum, which is now in its twenty-first year. His nominator, Chris, described his research work as game-changing, and having led to significant scientific advancements.

This episode is sponsored by The Water Table, a Prinsco education initiative.

Widely recognized as a leader and innovator in regenerative soil management, Judith has led and co-led a number of national projects, including the Living Laboratories Atlantic Canada project. She’s an active advocate for the Living Lab concept, and beyond her research, has mentored two summer students every summer for the past decade, and also serves as an adjunct professor at Dalhousie and Laval Universities.

In this conversation, Nyiraneza discusses how her young life in Rwanda, which brought her an inherent appreciation for agriculture combined with an aptitude for science, led her toward that specific discipline in her academic career. She also shares why she is so passionate about the Living Lab concept and how it can benefit all Canadians – not just those within the ag space. And, she gives insights into what skills make her a strong leader and teammate, and shares her thoughts on the need for more gender balance in the agricultural research space.

Chris Hay never wanted to go into agriculture at first – "that's what Dad did," he says. But a fascination with water management led him down the path of agricultural irrigation and drainage. After spending some time in the "ivory tower" of academia, Hay later turned to extension work and then parlayed that into his role with the Iowa Soybean Association, where he balances his loves of research, education and working up-close and personal with farmers. A problem-solver by nature, Hay discusses his passion for the work, the role and the results.

Ontario-based Darby McGrath has been involved in agriculture since she was a teenager: first through working on tree fruit farms in the Niagara region, through her several roles with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, as an adjunct professor with the University of Waterloo and Brock University, and as a board member of Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests non-profit organization.

Nominated by Vineland plant breeding research scientist Rachael LeBlanc, McGrath stood out for her research accomplishments in horticulture and her leadership capabilities. While McGrath is fairly new to her role as vice-president of research and development at Vineland, LeBlanc highlighted her "genuine willingness and enthusiasm to learn and grow with those around her" as evidence of her being the ideal fit for the job.

In this episode, McGrath chats with agriculture editor Alex Barnard about recognizing the victories – small and large – of yourself and others, the importance of failure in innovation and research, and trying to slow down to enjoy the journey.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2023 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Fourth-generation contractor Jesse Tait was born into the industry. But he's never rested on his laurels. Believing that "can't lives on won't street," Tait strives to help farmers better understand the long-term payoff of drainage, while contextualizing the work that goes into drainage.

In this episode, Tait shares his experiences not only with working as a contractor in Northern Ontario, where subsurface drainage remains relatively new, but also his perspectives on working with restrictions, learning on the go and bringing a collaborative approach to drainage.

Today, we’re talking to our second 2023 honouree: Jacob Handsaker of Hands-On Tiling and Excavating. Nominated by Jeremy Mulholland, Jacob has been widely recognized by a number of other professionals in the field for his efforts to push the industry forward, especially in Iowa. Jeremy described Jacob as being on the front edge of critical water quality practices such as installing multiple saturated buffers on Iowa fields through the state’s batch and build program. In partnering with the ADMC, the Iowa Agricultural Water Alliance, the NRCS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Jacob has installed upwards of 50 saturated buffers, proving that one can get serious business done while also focusing on conservation and water quality.

This episode is brought to you by The Water Table, a Prinsco education initiative which supports the GroundBreakers program. The GroundBreakers will be back in two weeks to bring you more stories from our class of 2023.

Ana Badea is a Manitoba-based research scientist for barley breeding and genetics, leading Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) largest two-row and hulless barley breeding program at the Brandon Research and Development Centre. Badea is also involved in the development and training of the next generation of researchers and agriculture professionals as an adjunct professor at the University of Manitoba, where she helps guide graduate students as a co-supervisor and member of the advisory committee.

Badea was nominated as an IWCA recipient by Dean Dias, CEO at Cereals Canada, who, in addition to her leadership at AAFC, highlighted Badea’s innovative work to develop new malting, food and feed barley cultivars with high yield and strong disease resistance, as well as the various advocacy initiatives she works on within the industry.

In this episode, Badea and Top Crop Manager West editor Derek Clouthier talk about her research, what drives her passion for agriculture and where she hopes to see the industry go in the future.

Special thanks to Bayer, platinum sponsor of the 2023 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Welcome to our second edition of The GroundBreakers, our annual recognition program for contractors, advocates and water management professionals who go above and beyond to elevate the field of agricultural drainage.

Our first honoree of 2023 is LaVerne Weber, president of Grade Solutions Inc. in Illinois. After transitioning from the roads industry into drainage, Weber has led Grade Solutions to become known for two things: exemplary customer service and innovation – and the two often go hand-in-hand. For example, Grade Solutions recognizes the importance of bioreactors – but in order to make buffers as effective as possible, Grade Solutions goes above and beyond to make their own wood chips.

This episode is brought to you by Bron, which supports the GroundBreakers program. The GroundBreakers will be back in two weeks to bring you more stories from our class of 2023.

Saskatchewan-based Heather Wilson is a research scientist and program leader in the vaccine formulation and delivery group at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, or VIDO. She’s also an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan in the department of veterinary microbiology and the school of public health.

Nominated by Erin Gilchrist, Dr. Wilson’s nomination package focused on the reputation she’s been able to establish for her lab at VIDO, and the innovations she and her team have achieved together. She’s also helping guide others into the field and is described as a dedicated supervisor and mentor, having previously mentored or currently mentoring four post-doctoral fellows, four masters students, eight Ph D. Students, three technicians, four project students and a half-dozen summer students.

In this episode, Heather and agriculture editor Bree Rody discuss her views on leadership and mentorship, gaining the confidence to navigate tough processes such as grant-writing and networking and why it's important to recognize one's own strengths and weaknesses.

This episode is sponsored by John Deere. This series is sponsored by Bayer.

In our first episode of the 2023 Influential Women in Canada Agriculture podcast series, we speak to Kelly Daynard, executive director of Farm and Food Care Ontario. In her long-time role as a public trust advocate, she shares meaningful stories and information with consumers to broaden their understanding of Canadian food and farming and the people behind it.

Almost all crops begin in the soil. Soil is a complex system and managing it is similarly complex, with no one-size-fits-all approach. But there are some commonalities. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in soil management?

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard chats with Angie Straathof, program director with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). She discusses how she came to soil science, OSCIA's programs and initiatives, and the importance of maintaining or increasing soil organic matter (SOM) levels. 

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) website
• Become an OSCIA member
• Subscribe to the OSCIA programs mailing list
• Find your regional program lead or local contact 
• Follow OSCIA on Twitter at @OntarioSoilCrop or on Facebook

Support for this episode provided by Syngenta. 

Biologicals are a hot topic these days, with several companies releasing new or updated bio products onto the market in recent years. But what are these products and how are they used?

Rose Buitenhuis, senior research scientist, biological control, at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Vineland, Ont., joins Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard to break down what biologicals are and discuss some of the research being conducted at Vineland on biological controls, as well as what to know or consider when using a biological product.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Vineland's Biological Crop Protection website
• Interested in learning more about biologicals or have questions? Reach out to Rose or other members of Vineland's Biological Crop Protection team through the contacts section in the link above.
• GreenhouseIPM YouTube channel (a collaboration between OMAFRA and Vineland)

Support for this episode provided by Syngenta.

When Karen Tanino was hired by the University of Saskatchewan’s college of agriculture and bioresources in 1988, she was only the second female faculty member. Now, Tanino is a professor of plant sciences at the university and leads or is involved in many other projects concerning a variety of crops, environmental conditions, and extension and outreach activities; her self-confidence and drive to figure things out and move forward, as well as the support of her male colleagues, have made her a force to be reckoned with in Canadian agriculture. 

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Tanino, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Fruit and Vegetable and Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard about recognizing our influence on others (and vice versa) and the responsibility that comes with it, the value of a broad knowledge base, and the optimism inherent to agriculture.

Dr. Valarie Carney has been one of North America’s most respected poultry science leaders for nearly two decades. Based in Edmonton as the Poultry Innovation Partnership lead, she supports excellence in research and innovation in Canada’s poultry industry. She’s also served in leadership roles with many provincial, national and international poultry science organizations. What’s more, she helps train the next generation of poultry specialists through her work with graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Alberta.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Carney, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell about taking risks, her defining moment, work-life balance and the biggest challenges women in agriculture still face today. 

Mary Ruth McDonald has always been interested in plants, which led her to the University of Guelph, the study of plant pathology, and an interest in crop protection. But it was a summer job as a pest management scout in Ontario’s Holland Marsh that clarified what she wanted to do with those interests. Between her work as an OMAFRA pest management specialist and as a professor in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph, McDonald has spent almost her entire career focusing on vegetable cropping in the unique agricultural production conditions of the Holland Marsh, acting as a bridge between research and application in the field.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, McDonald, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Fruit and Vegetable and Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard about trying new things, rolling with the punches and seeing research in action.

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science, platinum sponsor of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.

Based in Alberta, Kendra Donnelly is the president of Ki-Era Cattle and Consulting, a company that provides business development, administration and CFO services within the beef industry. Although Donnelly grew up on a feedlot operation, working with animals didn't come naturally and she didn't initially expect to build a career in agriculture.

In 2015, Kendra and her husband partnered with her parents as shareholders in a feedlot operation near Acme, Alberta - and that initial investment grew into multiple businesses. With a masters degree in business administration and a CPA accounting designation, she now acts as president for the consulting company for those businesses and leads a team of people with expertise in finance and accounting, human resources and business development and sustainability.

In this episode, Donnelly chats with agriculture editor Kaitlin Berger about her journey back to agriculture, her project with Tidewater Renewables to create an industry-leading, onsite bio-digestor technology and how she seeks to contribute positively to the perspective of agriculture within the local community. She speaks to how she manages self doubt in her career and the importance of gaining perspective from older and younger generations.

Manitobans Brett Sheffield and Matt Mroz have worked closely together since their days studying agriculture. Sheffield, who owns NextGen Drainage and Mroz, owner of Revasto Enterprises, pride themselves in continuously challenging themselves and their knowledge, knowing the alternative ways to do things and growing their businesses at sustainable rates. As part of the GroundBreakers series, they discuss where they see themselves in the industry and where they see drainage heading.

While Heather Watson didn’t grow up on a farm, most of her youth she was drawn to agriculture, nature and farming, whether it was through her part-time job at a local farm supply store or living near farmland. After initially obtaining her Master’s degree in English literature, Watson pivoted her focus to farm business management, establishing herself in Eastern Ontario – and never looked back. Now as executive director of Farm Management Canada, Watson focuses on promoting farmers’ leadership development and elevating the voices of traditionally underrepresented groups in farming.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Watson, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Manure Manager and Drainage Contractor editor Bree Rody about what she’s learned about work-life balance, the importance of mentorship, uplifting others’ voices and more. 

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Jeremy Meiners might have been comfortable in lecture halls and research labs for the rest of his career – he obtained his PhD at Washington University at a time when he says many of its graduates were going into full-time academia careers. But Meiners pivoted and combined his passions of farming and design and joined AGREM, his father’s software company. 

Now, Meiners not only applies those passions day-to-day at AGREM, but also works hands-on with farmers in the field and furthers his knowledge on best practices and conservation. He has been part of initiatives such as webinars and drainage demonstrations in an effort to boost contractors’ know-how – and enhance his own understandings.

Adam Fisher has a passion for doing things the right way. Since creating his first Ditch Doctor prototype, Fisher has made his life about just that. His goal with the Ditch Doctor, an excavator attachment used to create, restore and maintain ditches, is for it to become the “go-to” method for maintaining infrastructure. In this GroundBreakers episode, Fisher discusses why maintaining drainage infrastructure is so important – and the various challenges facing contractors, farmers and more. 

Tune in every two weeks to hear more stories from the GroundBreakers. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Award-winning farmer Lisa Mumm is a dedicated leader in the field of seed harvesting and seed policy. As a fourth-generation organic seed farmer, Lisa has a wealth of experience growing specialty seed crops. Her business, Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, works with family farmers around the world to supply over 100 varieties of seeds for growing sprouts and microgreens. She is also the go-to to advocate for good governance of seeds to protect Canadian farmers and Canada’s global seed sovereignty.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Mumm, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell about taking risks, her defining moment, work-life balance and the biggest challenges women in agriculture still face today. 

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice. 

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Bruce Shewfelt, president of consultancy firm PBS Water Management, has spent his whole career focused on moving water – both away from areas that are too wet and into areas that are too dry.

His work both in the public sector and in private consultation have led him around North America, working with some of the best minds in the biz and engaging in knowledge transfer including public speaking, publishing beneficial management practices and more. In this GroundBreakers episode, Shewfelt shares how his career has evolved from its early days, what he’s learned and what he thinks the biggest challenges are in drainage and water management.

From risky career moves and adversity in the workplace to the illness and death of a loved one, Lana Shaw has encountered many curve balls in her life, and credits her village of supportive people to help her get through the challenges she’s faced. Now, Shaw strives to pay that kindness forward in her current role the executive director and research manager of the South East Research Farm in Redvers, Sask. 

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Shaw, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture speaks to the importance of building relationships and the need to welcome new faces to the industry.

Some children develop an interest at a young age that quickly grows into an obsession and, eventually, a career. For Christine Noronha, growing up in Pakistan, that interest just happened to be insects. Now an entomologist with AAFC, she has devoted her life to the study of entomology, and knows that the smallest pests can have the biggest impact on yields, livelihoods and the environment. Beyond the bugs, Noronha is also passionate about guiding other students, particularly young women and people new to Canada, through their journeys in academia.

Agriculture editor Bree Rody chats with Noronha in this episode of AgAnnex Talks as part of this year’s Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program. IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Welcome to the third episode in our 2022 Top 4 Under 40 series. These three episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Jason Lanoue ended up working in horticulture in a bit of a roundabout way. Initially going to the University of Guelph for biochemistry to be a doctor, he credits a timely opportunity and his experiences on his grandparents' farm with the switch to agriculture. In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard and Lanoue, post-doctoral researcher and greenhouse scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discuss technology in the greenhouse, bringing new approaches to old questions, and how people from any background should consider a career in agriculture.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Scotts.

Welcome to the second episode in our 2022 Top 4 Under 40 series. These three episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Alex Chesney grew up on her family’s fruit and vegetable farm, Thames River Melons Ltd., and is now using her training as a registered dietician to make clear connections for consumers between nutrition and agriculture. In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard and Chesney, who also acts as the on-farm market and deliveries manager, discuss how consumer interest helps drive change, the importance of promoting health – both physical and mental – for growers, and a pandemic innovation that brought the market to her customers' homes.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Scotts.

For Kimberley Cathline, manager of the research program at the Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) at Niagara College, curiosity has long been a guiding force in her life. This has often resulted in her making decisions that some in her life have questioned. From travelling across the continent to California for her first job out of school to pursuing a graduate degree while balancing a family and full-time job, Cathline has repeatedly forged her own path.

In her conversation with agriculture editor Alex Barnard, Cathline discusses her nearly 20-year career in agricultural research, the importance of confidence and realizing you can do difficult things and remembering to be present in the moment.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2024 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series. 

Welcome to the first episode in our second annual Top 4 Under 40 series. These three episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Nick Vranckx may have gotten into the Canadian fruit and vegetable industry because his parents bought a blueberry operation in 2004, but he's made his own mark both on the farm and in the industry. In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard chats with Vranckx, winemaker with Blueberry Hill Estates in Norfolk County, Ont. He shares his thoughts on the ever-present labour issues in Canadian horticulture, the hypersaturated domestic blueberry market, and how having a value-added component can give an operation more flexibility.

 Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sponsored by Scotts.

Leona Staples, president of The Jungle Farm in Red Deer, Alta., is passionate about sharing the story of agriculture with everyone she meets. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Staples, along with her husband and three sons, would host more than 5,000 students through educational experiences, offering students unforgettable knowledge about how food is produced.

Stefanie Croley, editorial director, agriculture, chats with Staples in this interview about the importance of creating connections between producers and consumers, and the struggle to balance motherhood and career, while still fulfilling your dreams. 

IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brands at Annex Business Media, designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science, platinum sponsor of the 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.

Life is full of difficult decisions – when to take a chance, when to take time off, when to go back to your roots, when to try something new. Andrea McKenna has tackled all of those tough decisions and more as a farm operator, advocate and mentor. Now, she tells her story outlining her journey from city living to farm operation and helping growers make more sustainable business decisions.

AgAnnex editor Bree Rody chats with McKenna in this episode of the IWCA series for AgAnnex Talks, discussing challenges, lessons learned and what the future holds for agriculture.

IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brands at Annex Business Media, designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science, platinum sponsor of the 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.

If you work with cereals in Ontario, odds are you’ve heard of Ellen Sparry – she’s a go-to person for cereals research and production questions, according to “Wheat Pete” Johnson. Sparry is the general manager of C&M Seeds in Palmerston, Ont., as well as wheat registration co-ordinator and performance test co-ordinator for the Ontario Cereal Crops Committee and chair of the newly formed Seeds Canada. Even beyond that, she’s a keen mentor and advocate for the importance of communication.

AgAnnex associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Sparry in this episode of the IWCA series for AgAnnex Talks, discussing challenges, lessons learned and what the future holds for agriculture.

IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brands at Annex Business Media, designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science, platinum sponsor of the 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.

Professor Tina M. Widowski has spent more than 25 years investigating the factors that affect the well-being of poultry and livestock. Collaborating with academic leaders including Temple Grandin and Ian Duncan, her extensive research and authorship has included findings on growth, efficiency and mortality in broiler chickens, as well as alternative housing systems for chickens.

Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell chats with Dr. Widowski in this episode of AgAnnexTalks about her triumphs, challenges and best advice for women in agriculture.

Simone Demers-Collins’ career has taken her from government and extension to independent consultation, but at the root of it has always been listening to the needs of the community around her. Now as a professional home economist, Simone also spends her time promoting food literacy in youth.

Agriculture editor Bree Rody chats with Demers-Collins in this episode of AgAnnexTalks, the second in this year’s series of podcasts with seven Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brands at Annex Business Media, designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Crystal Mackay is an agriculture advocate, entrepreneur and much more. Currently the founder/CEO of Loft32, which works to elevate businesses, people and the conversations on food and farming, Mackay has been described as “doing the heavy lifting” of launching successful structures and programs in the ag industry for more than 30 years.

Stefanie Croley, editorial director, agriculture, chats with Mackay in this episode of AgAnnexTalks, the first in this year’s series of podcasts with seven Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture.

IWCA is a program created by the agriculture brands at Annex Business Media, designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Stay tuned as we bring you the rest of our 2021 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to the third episode in our Top 4 Under 40 series. These four episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

In our fourth and final episode, Fruit & Vegetable associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Nicholas Ploeg of Sunrise Potatoes in Alliston, Ont. Ploeg discusses the power of learning what the crop is telling you, rolling with the punches in a swiftly changing industry, and the value of efficiencies for a growing operation.

 Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to the third episode in our Top 4 Under 40 series. These four episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Philip Keddy, production manager of C.O. Keddy Nursery Inc. Keddy and his family grow strawberry nursery plants and sweet potatoes in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. He discusses the importance of finding what fits for your operation even if it's unconventional, the power of building a rapport with your customers, and finding motivation in doing what others say can't be done.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Welcome to the second episode in our Top 4 Under 40 series. These four episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Hayden Dooney may have studied grape and wine production, but apples are where he's making his mark. In our second episode, Fruit & Vegetable associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Dooney, general manager of the Norfolk Fruit Growers Association and co-owner of Suncrest Orchards. He discusses his journey to becoming part of the Canadian fruit and vegetable industry, the impacts of COVID-19, and the importance of temporary foreign workers.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

The need to feed the world through agriculture is only getting more demanding – but so is the need to preserve waterways and environmental health. The Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) focuses on driving collaboration between contractors, farmers and various agencies in order to serve meet those goals.

In this episode, we chat with ADMC executive director Keegan Kult at LICA's recent Water Management Forum to discuss the evolving approach to water management, success stories, positive examples of collaboration and more.

Welcome to the first episode in our Top 4 Under 40 series. These four episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Susan Judd combines a love of agriculture with a keen business sense in her many projects and pursuits. In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable associate editor Alex Barnard chats with Judd, retail processes manager at Heeman’s and co-creator of Ride the Bine. Judd shares her thoughts on the importance of networking, consumer misconceptions about agriculture, and produce as the new fast food.

In our last focus on future-proof farming, we speak with experts from Olds College and Purdue University about how drones, automation and data are changing the ag world, and what barriers exist that prevent adoption.

Digesters are widely regarded as a great way to repurpose farm waste into alternative energy sources, while also helping out in other areas – like cutting down on nutrient losses and producing on-farm resources like bedding. And although the demand for digesters is increasing, prices remain high, and farm operators want to know that their ROI will be strong.

We speak with representatives from both the Canadian Biogas Association and EPA AgStar to find out why digesters are so useful – and what the average farmer can do to find their path toward digesters.

Check out https://www.epa.gov/agstar and http://farmingbiogas.ca to find out more about their programs.

As we continue our season focused on farming with the future in mind, we speak with farmers and industry leaders on how they've pivoted and coped throughout COVID-19 and what it's taught them about dealing with future disruptions down the line.

This podcast episode is sponsored by the FCC.