The Passionate Voice

Why ‘STEM’ Should Be ‘STEAM’

• Agriculture, Career

Today marks Agriculture Day in Canada.

I’m not sure how many Canadians knew this day was being celebrated by people like myself – a dairy farmer’s daughter whose passion for agriculture and communications (with politics thrown in there) led to an agricultural communications role working in provincial politics at Queen’s Park.

Agriculture is an industry I really love working in.  

According to my Instagram poll late tonight, which includes a mixed audience of both those in and outside of agriculture, thankfully 67% (or 130 respondents) knew it was #CdnAgDay.

Whether you knew it was Ag Day or not, or work in agriculture or not, we all have one major thing in common – something we can relate too – and that is food.

The other thing we can all most certainly relate too, is having a job.

We all need food to eat and most of us have a job or aspire to have a job. So there, we at have at least two things in common now to continue this productive conversation.

On a day like today, in some instances, it feels like we in agriculture across Canada are a passionate group of people….. who preach to the choir.

It is on days like today, I am reminded of how our industry needs to position ourselves in a way that catches the attention of the 98% of Canadians who do not come from a farm or know anything about agriculture-food.

We need to sell our agri-food industry in a way that is cool and makes young graduates and people WANT to come work with us, much like how the STEM movement has captured the attention of many soon-to-be high school graduates and young career professionals.

Its why I think the movement around STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) should actually be called STEAM, with the ‘A’ proudly standing for Agriculture.

I am fascinated by the conversation around STEM-related careers. Even here in Canada, we have made it a trendy topic, promoting STEM jobs to Canadian youth. Our Canadian government even launched a campaign in 2017 to encourage young women to choose science. Bravo!

In a fast-paced digital society that is becoming more of a knowledge-based economy, attracting top talent to our agri-food sector will be imperative to fill the more the more than 100,000+ jobs we are going to need to fill in the next decade.

The crazy part? The demand for students with an agriculture-related degree far outweighs the supply of graduates! Just read this University of Guelph report that states “there are 4 jobs for every OAC graduate entering Ontario’s food and agriculture sector.”

In all the excitement discussing STEM, we’re missing a critical industry that continues to push the envelope in innovation. Agriculture.

An industry that really, in some instances, combines science, technology, engineering and math ALL in one. Agriculture and food combines practical know-how, research and application to create things that we use every day and perhaps take for granted. Things like environmentally-friendly coffee pods, the Yukon Gold potato and for some Canadian dairy farmers, an app for their smartphone that helps farmers monitor and treat ketosis in their dairy cows. How cool is this?!

[Side note, people maybe don’t even realize just how tech-savvy farmers really are and how actively they use their smartphone to do business and participate on social media! If you’re looking for some examples, just ask me for some savvy farmers and agri-food professionals, I’d be happy to share]

These examples above are just a few that showcase leading-edge technology, research and innovation that takes place every day in our Canadian agri-food industry that consumers and industry benefits from. Examples that combine science, technology, engineering, math and agriculture to produce some pretty awesome results.

Agriculture has even embraced the conversation around the much-needed role of more women in our sector. Groups like Ag Women’s Network in Ontario and Saskatchewan Women in Ag, have created a positive atmosphere to promote more women getting involved in agriculture and food. In fact, in the 2016 Canadian Census, the proportion of women who are farm operators increased to 27.8%, for the first time in 15 years! Its been a breathe of fresh air to see this movement take off.. and its a movement that is here to stay.

Canadian agriculture and food needs more savvy individuals to help us in our sector.

Enthusiast individuals and young graduates who can help us grow food; create sustainable and sound food policy; get food from farmers to processors; work in trade so more Canadian-grown food can be exported around the world to address food security; get food from processors to consumers; communicate agriculture’s message to the masses; and market food more effectively so it eventually ends up on consumer’s plates.

I know why this gap most likely exists in attracting top talent.

Its because we don’t make our sector attractive enough or ‘sexy’ enough to market it and attract young graduates from non-farming backgrounds.

Much like the picture above of me in front of Queen’s Park, when you think of agriculture and food related jobs, you probably don’t picture someone like myself. This is the game-changer of our industry – you don’t have to look like the stereotypical farmer with the straw hat and pitch fork in hand to work in agriculture and food. And you certainly don’t need to come from a farm to work in agriculture and food.

Gone are the days where these stereotypes exists. Or at least, they should be by now. Its 2018.

We in the agri-food sector are savvy, sophisticated and passionate people who believe in what we do. Everyone along the value chain is playing a role to ensure the highest-quality, safest products are delivered 365 days a year to Canadian consumers and consumers around the world. For many of us, agriculture and food isn’t just an industry we work in but a lifestyle we enjoy 365 days of the year. Not many industries can say this.

It is time we embrace the STEM movement and begin to promote STEAM.

This way, many needs are addressed – those of our agri-food industry who needs top, innovative talent; those of young millennial graduates looking for exciting new careers in an already tight job market; and those of our Canadian consumers who continue to need/want the best food possible.

Its a win-win for all. Now let’s get out there and promote STEAM!#MakingAgriFoodCool

“Embrace Bold:” My 2018 Buzzwords

• Agriculture, Career, Communication, Lifestyle, Social Media, Travel

This is a big post for me.

Not only is this my first post of 2018 but this is my first ever PODCAST! (Can you hear my excitement through the cap locks?!)

Starting a podcast was a goal I had in 2017 but I kind of had a baby, so I wasn’t able to get around to getting this goal done. BUT, I’m kickstarting 2018 off in the best way possible and I’m making my first post here on the blog, my first podcast!

2017 – Beautiful Chaos

In my first episode, I reflect on 2017 and the 5 goals I committed to achieving last year. I’m happy to say, I accomplished 4/5 of my goals but by far, the best thing we did in 2017 was welcome our healthy baby boy Blake in May!! He is by far the greatest thing we’ll be able to say we EVER did. Its incredible to think love creates life like this. I summarized last year as ‘Beautiful Chaos’ but I also stuck to my buzzwords ‘Adapt and Adjust.’ Isn’t that what parenthood is all about.. adjusting and adapting… all.the.time?!

2018- Embrace Bold 

I also share in my first episode, my 2018 buzzwords which are ‘Embrace Bold.’ This was partly inspired by the Little Book of Hygge and Oprah’s recent Golden Globes acceptance speech which if you haven’t saw it yet, you can watch it here or read the full transcript here. Based on this mantra of ‘Embrace Bold,’ I’m also sharing my 5 goals for 2018 on the podcast.

Take a listen to my first podcast by clicking on the play button directly below. I hope you enjoy listening and I’d love to hear what you think.

Oh and by the way, HAPPY 2018! 

 

 

Food & Confederation #Canada150

• Agriculture, Food for Thought

2017 marks a special year for all Canadians as Canada celebrates 150 years since Confederation in 1867. We’ve all seen the commercials on TV or have been enjoying our Tim Horton’s with the #Canada150 logos on the side, to remind us of this monumental date.

We’ve come a long way as a country. Particularly in agriculture.

Its an industry I am extremely passionate about, not only because my parents raised me in it as a dairy farmer’s daughter, but because my siblings and I have all decided to pursue careers within the sector.

We all have chosen careers in agri-food that are vastly different – primary production, banking and me in communications/government. But one common thing we share is how much we love this industry. Its an industry that evokes such emotion in us all and is a topic of conversation at every family meal.

Its because its an industry that is not only a career for us but a livelihood. A way of life. Its our roots, our foundation, our springboard of opportunity – its what we wake up for everyday. Its a responsibility we take seriously – producing food for Canadians or for my sister and I, doing our part to help farmers’ do their job of feeding consumers.

Of any industry in Canada, agriculture has been a backbone of our country’s 150 year history and has experienced probably some of the biggest change of any industry. Think of the horse-drawn plow (which is what a lot of consumers are still picturing) to now self-driven tractors with GPS technology, producing the same abundance of safe, nutritious, high quality food/produce. Now, we’re just producing more of it and in a quicker manner but with higher quality and safety standards than ever before. The learning curve has been steep to say the least to get the industry to where it is today.

There are so many good things I could highlight about where agriculture and food has been to get us to where we are in present day. Instead, I want to highlight 5 initiatives we should be proud of as agricultural enthusiasts and consumers, that will set us up for success as an industry and as a country, as we tackle the next 150 years:

  1. Women in Agriculture – Women have long been involved in the agri-food industry but now, there are networks and chapters available across Canada for women to have productive conversations to help them both personally and professionally to be recognized in their capacity on the farm and within the industry. The Ag Women’s Network was established in Ontario and its one I’m pretty proud of. Not because I’ve been involved in the formation and leadership of the network with an awesome group of ladies, but because of the response from women all across Canada, who have joined in the movement to help each other be better. This has resulted in the betterment of the agri-food sector in Canada.
  2. Local Food Movement – It has been so refreshing to see a whole ‘movement’ if you can call it, of consumers asking where their food comes from and how its grown/made/harvested. With these questions though, has come an intense scrutiny on production practices which has pushed our sector and our farmers to become more engaged in public relations and communicating with consumers to help tell the story of how the food goes from the farm gate to the consumers’ plate. There is such an appreciation and interest from consumers on knowing who the face is behind the product – we should see this as such a positive opportunity for the sector and sharpen up on our marketing-public relations-communications skills.There is no one better to tell our story than us within the sector.
  3. World Food’s – With our taste palate’s expanding and trying new recipes and dishes, we are reaching for food beyond the traditional “meat and potato” dishes of previous generations. This has been thanks to travel, worldly experiences, social media and the growth of produce that we hadn’t grown before or had the chance to buy before. There is so much opportunity for farmers in Canada, to reach consumers with products they didn’t know our country even grew. We can grow so much of what the world wants and what Canadians want – we just have to be open to growing new things, more of it and letting everyone know we grow it.
  4. Mental Health Discussion – Thanks to conversations on social media, there has been a much-needed conversation (finally) taking place about mental health in the agriculture community. We’re finally addressing something that farmers and the industry needs to discuss for the health of the people who work in the industry. A study led by Professor Andria Jones-Bitton at the University of Guelph, is acknowledging that ‘farmers want, need mental health help.’ The right place to start helping is by talking about mental health as a first step in the right direction.
  5. National Food Policy – Canada is in the midst of developing its first-ever National Food Policy because food impacts every Canadian, everyday. There is an online survey that every Canadian can complete that will help to develop the policy framework. The National Food Policy will address affordability, health and safety, conservation/environment and growing food in Canada. It is awesome knowing that food is in the spotlight in a big way for all Canadians.

Today also marks Food Day in Canada, a one-day annual celebration of all those involved in Canadian food. Wherever you are today, whatever you eat – take a moment to think of who was involved in getting your food to you – the farmers, processors, markets, grocery stores, retailers, restaurants, chefs, waitresses – everyone who has helped you enjoy your food today. Be sure to also include the hashtags #FoodDayCanada or #CanadaIsFood to your social media feed and photos so we can all share in the love of food together, today. Food after all, brings people together as not only a basic need everyday, but as a common way to celebrate and enjoy life. Happy Food Day, Canada!

[Canada 150 Logo]

Things I Love About Our Country #Canada150

• Agriculture, Lifestyle, Travel

Happy belated Canada day, friends!

Now that I am (somewhat) caught up on sleep from what was an epic Canada day long weekend, which included celebrating my little brother’s wedding, I wanted to share 6 of the things I love about our country to commemorate #Canada150. Hope you got to celebrate what was uniquely yours on Canada day!

[1. Food and wine]  – strawberry picking, pumpkin patches, cherries, maple syrup, lentils, there are so many amazing things I’ve been surprised to learn we grow, produce and harvest within our very own country. We truly have one of the safest, most sustainable food systems in the world with the abundance and variety of yummy foods we produce. We should also be proud of our emerging wine industry – we may be a few hundred years behind Europe in our wine production but our wines from BC and Ontario are still incredibly tasty too! The photo of the cherries above is actually our neighbour’s cherry tree. Talk about eating and enjoying local?! #HowCoolIsThat

[2. The views and our 4 seasons] – I think it is fair to say we may have some of the most diverse, vast landscapes of any country in the world in part because of the 4 seasons we get to experience. From the mountain views, to the prairie flats, our waterways to the red dirt on the east coast, you can experience so much in just one country (even though it takes a far distance to get from one end to the other and 4 changes of clothing for each season!). I feel fortunate to have visited almost all Canadian provinces – the only two provinces I have yet to visit are Newfoundland and Saskatchewan which I have added to my travel bucket list! Some of my favourite views (of so many in our country) that I’ve been able to personally savour include mountains views from Sidney, BC and Banff/Lake Louise, AB; rocky shores in Lake-of-the-Woods/Kenora, ON; watching the northern lights in the prairie, Manitoba skies; harbour ocean-front views in North Rustico, PEI and one of my absolute favorite views, the calming, scenic views from my family’s cottage on the Trent River in ON. Oh and fall is still my favourite season of them all 🙂

[3. Innovations and creations] – I didn’t realize how many incredible innovations our country and Canadians are responsible. Some of them are life changing and some are the simple pleasures we and so many millions enjoy – things like insulin, peanut butter (one of my absolute favs!), the life vest, the electric wheelchair, backup lights on modern cars, garbage bags and the paint roller. You can read more awesome inventions here. Who knew how truly awesome we are?!

[4. The Great Lakes] – Being raised on the water, I’ve always been attached to the water and love a good deep breathe of fresh, water air (it could also be the fact that I am the water sign Cancer). Being from Ontario, I love how close we are to the Great Lakes, all 5 of which are just a drive a way to enjoy. I’ll never forget learning in grade school how to remember the names of our 5 Great Lakes – remember the acronym HOMES (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior!) You are welcome 🙂 Side note, my girlfriends and I thought the Great Lakes are so awesome that we got the sweatshirt I’m pictured in above, made last summer when we were all in Grand Bend #BestIdeaEver

[5. The Canadian game of Hockey] – The photo above of the goalie is of my very own husband Andrew in his glory days as a goalie for the University of Guelph. He has since hung up his pads, but I love how much we enjoy the game of hockey together. I’ve always been a huge fan (of not only him) but the game of hockey itself. I have loved being a fan in the stands since a young age and understand the game enough to rock our family hockey pool which I won this year 😉

[6. Our ‘Canadianisms’] – There are so many awesome things that make us known as Canadians that I’m calling these our ‘Canadianism’s. Things like the iconic Hudsons Bay brand of colourful stripes (I have the paddle above!), maple syrup, poutine, Tim Hortons, the red maple leaf, our manners/politeness – these are just a few of the things that make us so uniquely known around the world as Canadians.

[Photo Source]
[Photo Source]

The Two-Way Street of Communicating

• Agriculture, Career, Communication, Leadership, Public Speaking, Social Media

I gave a talk at the end of March about my concept of feeding the goldfish when it comes to communicating. At one point during my presentation, I discussed just how valuable communication is as the most fundamental skill we possess as human beings.

We discussed how effective communicators, especially in agriculture in the social media age, are able to connect on such complicated topics, with audiences that have no understanding of a topic. One of the ways they are able to do this is through being relatable – they somehow connect with an audience on a mutual level. An easy way they do this is by finding common ground and finding out what the audience thinks and feels before they share their opinion and perspective.

One of the lessons I imparted with the audience of enthusiastic agriculturalists was the following idea:

Communicating is a two-way street, involving listening AND talking.

So often, we think communication is about talking, when it fact communication is a two-part process involving the most important part of the process… listening.

We all know those people who forget this concept.

The people who do a lot of talking but don’t care to listen to what others have to say. Or those situations we all have been in where you are speaking with someone and you recognize early on, they aren’t even genuinely listening to you, they are already thinking of the next thing they want to say.

You can see it in their facial expressions; their head is nodding but you can see behind their eyes that their wheels are turning, already thinking about the next thing they are going to say back to you. And you can tell instantly with their initial response, whether they sincerely took in what you said before they spewed out what you knew they were cookin’ up.

Yes, we as human beings like to hear ourselves talk.

But the best communicators are those who take in what people say and listen.

Those communicators get the most out of conversation because they genuinely care about the people they are conversing with and what they have to say. Through listening FIRST, they are able to find common ground and mutual respect so the person/people/audience listens back to them.

As I shared that day with my audience, communicating is in fact a two-way street – try and not only be the driver, but the passenger. People will respect you for it and you’ll be a better communicator because of it.