Growing up as the seventh generation on my family farm in Ontario, I developed a deep appreciation for the important role agriculture plays in caring for the environment, fueling the economy, and nourishing our population. While I have been fortunate to spend my life close to agriculture, I know most Canadians are removed from food production.Many people have questions about farming and its impact on the health of their families and the health of our planet. I have spent over 10 years working in agriculture communications with the goal of helping to answer some of those questions and to tell truthful, positive stories of Canadian agriculture. Having worked for both AgScape and AITC-Canada, I am honoured to have the chance to continue supporting ag education in this board advisory role.
My grandfather was the first person to farm a ¼ section of short-grass prairie nestled along a creek in the rolling hills of southern Saskatchewan. Today, three generations of our family continue to farm the land my grandfather settled more than 100 years ago. The passion that I have for this land and this farm, is the same passion I have for connecting youth to agriculture and its importance to our food, our environment, and our future.Agriculture in the Classroom empowers Canadian educators and youth to learn about how agriculture touches our lives in so many ways. From the nutritious foods that reach our tables, to the landscapes that are homes to wildlife and food for honeybees, to the over 2 million agriculture and agri-food jobs that employ Canadians from coast to coast - Canadian agriculture is all around us.
Growing up on a cattle ranch in Southern Alberta instilled a strong appreciation and respect for those who work in agriculture. I have spent over 14 years collaborating on agriculture education programs because people deserve to know where their food comes from. I’ve had the pleasure of working with community partners and producers around the world - travelling to Argentina, Australia and across North America – and there is always a shared passion for advancing agriculture. Sustainably feeding nearly 10 billion people by the year 2050 is a challenge we must work together on and the opportunities are endless.
When I was growing up, every school year included a trip to a local farm and an outing to Agribition. We also made trips to grocery stores and food manufacturing facilities, too. As a result, I grew up knowing about where my food came from. Having access to education about agriculture made me confident about the food at my local grocery store. Everyone should be so lucky, but having spent over a decade working in ag communications, I have seen firsthand what happens when people receive misinformation; needless fears arise, causing families to worry about the food they feed their kids.The truth is that Canadians have access to an abundance of safe and affordable food. Ag in the Classroom plays an important role by helping students and teachers think critically about how Canadian farmers operate and by reassuring them about the safety of our food system.
I am passionate about enhancing agricultural awareness. I grew up in the city but agriculture was all around me. For the past 37-years, I’ve had the privilege of working in Canadian agriculture. While I have been fortunate to learn the incredible story of Canadian agriculture first-hand, not everyone has the same opportunity. There are many misunderstandings and mysteries about how food is grown, and I’ve spent most of my working life trying to share the true story of agriculture with others. That’s why I love organizations such as Agriculture in the Classroom. When we offer educators curriculum and programs that expose students to agriculture in an engaging, fun and educational way, this helps eliminate the misunderstandings and mysteries. When students ask questions and explore where their food comes from, they gain knowledge of how everyone in our sector works together to bring safe, affordable, high-quality food to their tables and to the world. We need the support of many to reach more teachers and students, enhance agricultural literacy, expose students to career opportunities and help bridge the gap between farming and food. I am honoured to be part of this work!