Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) hosted a virtual event for students in Grades 9 to 12 on Nov. 17, where they heard from multiple female industry professionals about the value of women in agriculture.
“The opportunities are endless and they are ready for you,” said Morgan MacTavish, thinkAg project co-ordinator with Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, who was the first presenter of the morning. “This generation of young leaders and scientists and agriculturalists and engineers are going to solve some of the biggest problems we’ve ever faced.
“We want you to know that you have the ability to help create these solutions whether it’s climate change, food scarcity, anything like that — you have the ability to make an impact and it’s young leaders like yourself in agriculture that are going to make the biggest change."
Throughout her presentation, MacTavish highlighted the numerous jobs needed for the industry to be successful and made it known that anyone can have those careers — especially women.
Students heard from several professional women throughout the three-hour event. All of whom were from different professions in different areas of the agricultural sector.
MacTavish, whose background is in hospitality and event planning, works to bring presentations to students about the industry while reinforcing the importance of ag and ag education.
Nadine Sisk also presented to the group. She is the vice-president of AdFarm and specializes in strategic communications, marketing and advertising.
“Agriculture is absolutely traditionally seen as a male-dominated field, because it has been. But that is changing and the industry is actively supporting the drive for more inclusivity,” Sisk said.
An LLP of more than 17 years and partner at MLT Aikins, Kristal Allen gave a presentation about the networking and its importance in the industry.
“Get involved,” she said. “Look for things that interest you and find way to get involved with them. Networking will follow.”
The next presenter was Kyla Jade Smith, a chartered professional accountant, fifth generation farmer and hobby farmer.
“We as women are intelligent, and we’re passionate, and we’re super resilient and we’re strong and we can do anything that we put our minds to,” she said. “So, if anyone ever tells you that you should try for something a little more realistic, or that you can’t do that, don’t believe them.
"If you want it, go get it.”
Alison Sunstrum, founder and CEO of CNSRVX-Inc., an agriculture technology business, gave a pre-recorded presentation on leadership.
Lynn Dargis, an entrepreneur and farmer who took over her family’s operation after the unexpected passing of both of her parents spoke to the group about the development of her company, Farmbucks, which is an app that allows farmers to market, compare prices and sell their grain.
Candace Hill, the manager of brand planning and execution at Farm Credit Canada rounded out the informative presentation with a session on personal branding.
For more information about the work of Ag for Life and thinkAg, visit agricultureforlife.ca/
