When it comes to making a decision on your farm, you may be comfortable getting agronomic advice from your peers or the generation that’s gone before, but how many of you have what you consider a mentor for your career as a farmer? The same question applies to those in industry as well — who… Read More
“We are not where we need to be or should be,” says Linda Hohol, Calgarian and corporate director on Boards of Export Development Canada, NAV Canada, Ellis Don Construction and Canadian Western Bank. The gender gap in Canadian business and politics is certainly closing, but we still have more work to do to encourage and support… Read More
Having one dark chapter in your life doesn’t mean that’s how the whole book has to be, says Mary Morrissey, a life coach and motivational speaker, who spoke at last month’s Advancing Women — Leadership in Agriculture conference. Morrissey is no stranger to set backs, challenges and being told her dreams were unattainable. But from… Read More
In 1996, Jacob van der Schaaf, a Dutch immigrant to Canada, and his daughter Angela Santiago planted a small, one-acre plot of potatoes just outside Edmonton, Alberta. It was an experiment meant to test the waters of the potential potato market in Alberta, and was obviously an overwhelming success. Today, Jacob runs Tuberosum Technologies and Angela is the… Read More
Thirty years ago, a woman in a leadership position in the agriculture industry would have been incredibly novel. A generation ago, it would have been surprising to see a woman in a sales position with an agriculture company. Today, women fill or have filled nearly every role within agriculture, from farmer, to sales person, to… Read More
Do you remember when you decided you wanted to pursue a career in agriculture? Or were you someone who never really chose it, it was just what you had always done? An increasing number of individuals from a non-farming background go on to work in the agriculture industry — it’s a natural byproduct of a… Read More
At the end of April, 357 women from 6 provinces and 5 states attended the Advancing Women Conference held in Calgary, each with a unique background and role in the agriculture industry. The conference was hosted and organized by Iris Meck Communications Inc, an event-planning and communications-consulting company based in the same city. The idea for the… Read More
Long-time followers and fans of Real Agriculture know two things: we love to do a conference or show wrap up at most of the events we cover, and, that we usually include incredibly serious, hard hitting news in each of them. Well, that second point may be a bit of a stretch, but the Real… Read More
People who like to plan or have everything go according to plan may or may not want to hear what Senator JoAnne Buth has to say about navigating a career path. In this enlightening interview between Buth and Real Agriculture’s Shaun Haney, filmed at the Advancing Women — Leadership in Agriculture conference, Buth relates how… Read More
According to Statistics Canada, in the last decade, farms operated solely by women in Canada has grown from 3.9% to 5%, and women now account for 26% of all farm operators in Canada. And women continue to excel into leadership positions across the agriculture supply chain, as was evident in the number of passionate women who… Read More
Sometimes our path chooses us, rather than the other way around. In Shirley McClellan’s case, the political life wasn’t necessarily a goal, but happened more by being willing to say yes when an opportunity arose. In this interview filmed at the first-ever Advancing Women — Leadership in Agriculture conference, Real Agriculture founder Shaun Haney asks… Read More
I’ve learned a few things about myself as my career in agriculture media has evolved — I thrive on face-to-face interaction, retain more information if I discuss a topic with someone else (or re-write notes) and that the more I learn about farming and the agriculture industry the more I feel there is to know… Read More
On Monday, April 28th, 2014, over 200 people will attend a leadership conference like none other. Hosted in Calgary, the Advancing Women — Leadership in Agriculture conference begins Monday evening ahead of a full-day of sessions focused on setting goals, professional growth and the challenges still ahead for women in agriculture. CLICK HERE FOR THE… Read More