As the demand for sustainability disclosures grows, it could be advantageous for agriculture producers to consider taking proactive informed steps. This keynote presentation will delve into the urgent need for agriculture producers to generate and share sustainability data to meet evolving market demands. Understand how we got here, where markets are trending, and learn how to leverage your existing farming data to stay ahead. Simple steps taken today can drastically reduce future burdens, no matter where the requests come from. Ensure your business resilience by proactively addressing these requirements. Don't get left behind—secure your future and lead the way in sustainable agriculture

Many Canadian industries and organizations are evaluating how they can demonstrate that they are compliant to global sustainability standards. This session will discuss the current status of sustainability initiatives in different sectors within the Canadian Agriculture context. Research that has been completed by the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association focused on the social aspect of ESG will be shared to provide attendees with some insight to the current situation. While the ESG movement continues to evolve, it will be important to carefully manage the pressure on grass roots producers and famers to comply with regulatory and industry social sustainability initiatives. Lets consider some ideas how we might approach this together to reduce the burden at the farm gate.

Host Shaun Haney will record a LIVE! edition of RealAgRadio right in front of the AgEx audience! RealAgriculture is focused on the issues that are impacting agriculture. Launched in 2008, RealAgriculture started as a grassroots effort to provide farmers with a new way to access agricultural information. Today, they are the leading and only national agriculture publication in Canada, online and their daily show RealAg Radio is at 4:30 PM EST on Rural Radio, channel 147 on SiriusXM.

#RealAgRadio

Often in agriculture, we try to put the technical solutions ahead of the readiness of people. When this happens, the outcome is often resistance. We’ve seen this play out in real time, for a long time – resistance to business planning, financial management and farm transition. Essential for long term success, they are practiced by very few farmers (even when the benefits are clear). Meanwhile, chronic stress levels have made farmer mental health an issue that can’t be ignored. What’s at risk if we continue to leave personal development of the farmer out of the equation? Kelly Dobson of LeaderShift will discuss what is happening and must happen to equip and support Canada’s farmers to evolve and thrive in era that will be unforgiving to those who don’t.

Canadian agriculture faces significant challenges from emergencies and disasters stemming from a range of potential events, including natural hazards and diseases or pests that affect animals and crops, as well as human-caused conditions. These situations can have significant impacts on life safety, livestock health, crop production, and social and economic stability of farming communities. CASA has worked to develop a report identifying aims to deepen the understanding of the impact of natural hazards on Canadian agriculture and position the industry to aid farmers and ranchers to be better prepared when dealing with the impacts of emergencies or disasters.

Farmers play a vital role in ensuring food security for all communities, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food is committed to working alongside farmers and Indigenous Peoples in supporting stronger partnerships.
In this presentation, Loren will discuss how his work at Tzeachten First Nation has been instrumental in developing partnerships with local growers enhancing his community's access to fresh fruits and vegetables beyond what is currently available. George will share how Community Futures of the Central Interior First Nations has approached their support for Indigenous food and agriculture producers through place-based initiatives such as the K̓wséltkten Farmer’s and Artisan Market. Erica and Ian will share updates on some of the Ministry’s Indigenous Food Security initiatives, weaving together both current approaches and plans aimed at supporting this sector.
It’s important to recognize that Indigenous approaches to food security and agriculture are deeply rooted in place and relationship with the land, water, and environment. For Indigenous Peoples, food isn’t just about production—it’s also about maintaining traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and sustainable stewardship of the natural world. These perspectives complement many principles that farmers value, such as sustainability, land stewardship, and working in harmony with the land.

Working together, we can enhance the food systems in our province by embracing diverse approaches and relationships for the benefit of the land and the people who depend on it; we are stronger together.

Join Farm Business Specialist Gary Flaten as he takes us on a deeper dive into the value of understanding your cost of production (COP) and the benefits of benchmarking using BC’s Towards Increased Profit (TIP) Report. Discover how the TIP Report is helping producers increase their farm productivity, profitability and competitiveness. The session will cover background and general information on benchmarking and how the TIP report works including cost of production, indicators, operational ratios, and financial measures over time to make strategic decisions.

What is a TIP report? A (Towards Increased Profits) TIP report is a simplified farm financial analysis using raw CRA data supplied to AgriStability/AgriInvest which compares your farm’s financials to your 5-year average, as well as with the industry average income and expenditure benchmarks for your commodity type and income range.

Click on the link below to access the 'Towards Increased Profits (TIP)' report - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

This workshop, provided by the Big Data Hub of SFU, offers a comprehensive introduction to the transformative potential of big data in the agriculture and agri-food sectors. Through two one-hour sessions, participants will gain a thorough understanding of big data concepts, algorithms, and models, illustrated by real-world case studies in precision agriculture, livestock monitoring, and market analysis. The sessions are designed to be highly engaging and accessible to a non-technical audience, ensuring that farm operators and business owners from diverse regions and commodity groups can grasp the practical benefits and applications of big data in their operations.

In addition to foundational knowledge, the workshop includes an interactive clinic-like activity focused on diagnosing individual data management needs and developing tailored implementation strategies. This hands-on approach empowers attendees to identify their specific challenges and communicate effectively with big data experts to find and implement solutions. By attending this workshop, participants will leave equipped with actionable insights and tools to enhance their decision-making, productivity, and sustainability, making it a valuable experience for agriculture professionals across sectors and regions.

Day 2 will be a continuation of Day 1, so attendees are encouraged to attend both sessions, but an overview of Day 1 will be provided on Day 2.

Many producers nationwide are feeling increasingly stressed and experiencing other impacts to their mental wellness. This presentation aims to discuss what is impacting the mental wellness of agricultural producers while also highlighting two provincial efforts to increase access to mental wellness resources for agricultural producers. The Guardian Network and AgLife aim to help connect producers in Ontario and British Columbia (respectively) with mental health supports. This presentation will identify both provincial and national resources and leave participants with an increased understanding of the landscape of mental wellness in Canadian agriculture.

Key Takeaways:
-Exploring research surrounding mental health and mental health difficulties among farmers and the agriculture sector within Canada
-Resource sharing and program success for mental health programs specific for the agriculture community within BC and Ontario.

In this presentation we will cover key strategies and tactics which are integral to the success of your farming operation. From debt and cashflow management to creating and assessing success metrics we will help you navigate the ever-increasing complexities and challenges faced by producers each and every day. Mark Verwey who leads BDO’s Agriculture Industry Group will draw on BDO’s 100 plus years of experience as one of Canada’s leading agriculture accounting and advisory firms to provide helpful insights.

In today's rapidly evolving food landscape, earning, and maintaining public trust is essential for the success of agricultural businesses. This session will share some of the insights from the recent Public Trust Summit, hosted by the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, regarding what Canadians currently think of our food system. Panelists will explore some of the current efforts to build public trust while discussing the space that farmers can play in this important conversation to engage Canadians, address misconceptions, and foster a positive image of agriculture through community outreach, social media, and partnerships. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to support license to operate through public engagement while learning what’s happening at an industry-wide level to help move perceptions in a positive direction.

You may have heard the phrase Knowledge is Power, but “knowledge is not enough,” according to Ove Karlsson. Ove is a farm business advisor in Sweden with extensive experience working closely with producers to support strategic thinking and proactive planning to succeed in a changing business environment. After visiting Canada in 2015, he was inspired to develop a farm business management development program for producers in Sweden and continues to support producers in achieving their goals. Ove will discuss the similarities and differences he sees between Swedish and Canadian farmers and share success stories from Sweden on how farmers are achieving success by focusing on both personal and professional goals and outcomes.

Join us to hear how to integrate strategic thinking and planning into everyday farming to achieve personal and professional success for the farm, and everyone involved!

Join Ve-Jane Duong and Melanie Buffel for a presentation focused on Young Agrarians programs, designed to support new and young farmers. We will explore key initiatives such as the B.C. Land Matching Program, which connects farmers seeking land with available farmland; the Business Mentorship Network, which pairs start-up farmers with experienced farmers; and the Business Bootcamp, an online course that offers essential skills in financial planning, business development and marketing. This session is ideal for anyone exploring starting or advancing a farm business, and aims to equip participants with valuable resources and strategies.

This session will provide an update on the Saskatchewan agricultural fatality surveillance program and will highlight an innovative low-cost solution to the leading cause of fatal injuries in Agriculture – the Low-Cost ROPS Program.

Participants in this session will be able to describe the current leading causes of death on Saskatchewan and Canadian farms, along with circumstances and other factors contributing to those deaths. The session will also provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the innovative Low-Cost ROPS program, its progress and successes to date, and future plans for a wider roll-out.

Join Morgan Camley, litigation practice group lead in Vancouver and Canadian Agribusiness co-lead at Dentons Canada LLP as she discusses the ongoing and systemic targeting of agribusiness by animal rights organizations.

As the farming industry faces growing scrutiny over animal welfare practices, the rise in activism has led to regulatory, legal, and reputational challenges for agribusinesses. This session will examine the ways in which these political actors shape public perception, impact policy, and disrupt operations, and discuss strategies for managing these risks.

This panel discussion will explore strategies for optimizing water resources to help farmers address the risks of drought and flooding. Featuring real-world insights from BC farmers, the discussion will highlight innovative techniques, best practices, lessons learned and community-driven solutions to manage water scarcity and surplus effectively. Panelists will share their personal experiences managing during and recovering after these challenges, offering valuable lessons on balancing resource sustainability while adapting to changing climate conditions. Join us to learn practical approaches and exchange ideas on safeguarding agricultural productivity in the face of these water-related challenges.

In this keynote, Dr. Andria Jones will take you on a journey of planetary boundary disruptions, existing climate adaptation technologies, and futuristic technological adaptations informed by knowledge sources like science-fiction and SolarPunk, all with farmers' mental health and wellbeing at the core. What questions ought we be asking? What preparations should be advanced? How can we best support farmers and best prepare Canadian agriculture for the future to ensure sustainable food production systems and supplies?

Robin Anderson grew up on a farm in south-central Saskatchewan. The oldest of four children, she developed a passion for farm safety and health at a young age, joining the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s Power Pac Program as a youth ambassador for farm and urban safety. Robin continued her to pursue her passion for farming communities after university, joining the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region as the Farm Safety Coordinator, eventually moving to Health Promotion Coordinator. After two relocations, Robin joined the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association in 2014 in a Communications role. She has continued to work to improve the safety and health of farmers, farm families, farm workers and farming communities through her work at CASA as the Director of Programs and Communications.

Dan Trottier is the Managing Partner with Tatonga Inc. and specializes in providing industry with risk management strategies for their operations. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is currently a Professional Agrologist with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA). Dan is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and Certified Health and Safety Consultant, In recent years Dan has been actively involved with numerous agricultural safety initiatives including the Alberta FarmSafe program, AgSafe Alberta Society, and Board positions with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and Young Farm Workers. Dan hopes to improve safety at the farm gate while assisting the agriculture industry to adopt risk management strategies that make sense.

Brent is currently the Director Agriculture Development with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food with the responsibly interior regional staff and livestock industry specialists throughout the province. He brings more than 30 years of experience in agriculture in farm management, and extension services which including roles as Manager- Business Development and was a Farm Management Canada board member from 2013 to 2015.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Ag Economics) from the University of Alberta and has been a Professional Agrologist with the BC Institute of Agrologists since 1993.

Tabetha Boot is the Head of Communications & Industry Relations for BASF Canada, Agricultural Solutions. With over two decades of experience in corporate communications, most recently in agriculture, Tabetha brings a deep understanding of both industry trends and stakeholder needs. Known for her strategic vision and collaborative approach, she plays a key role in fostering dialogue between BASF and Canada’s agricultural community. Passionate about promoting innovation and sustainability, Tabetha is dedicated to enhancing public trust and advancing the future of agriculture in Canada.

As the Research Manager at the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, Ashley specializes in communicating public opinion research to the food system. Ashley translates numbers and trends over time into actionable insights to help Canada’s food system better connect with everyday Canadians on the issues they care about. With an eye for detail and passion for the food system, Ashley tells the story behind every data point.

Ashley holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Simon Fraser University and has over ten years of research, presentation, and policy experience. Before joining CCFI, Ashley worked as a senior research manager at Ipsos Public Affairs working on hundreds of research projects for clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Ashley has experience with a wide range of research methodologies ranging from online, telephone, focus groups, in-depth interviews, and town halls.

The long-term success and growth of Canada’s food system must be grounded in public trust. Over the past years with CCFI, Ashley has helped food system stakeholders understand and build trust with Canadians on key food system both big and small.

Melanie comes from a long line of farmers and found a lot of joy in spending time at her grandparents farms as a child growing up in Alberta. Melanie has been an urban homesteader most of her life, growing and preserving her own food since her early 20s. After completing her BA in Psychology she moved to Vancouver and was inspired to study business and community development. She went on to complete her MBA in Community Economic Development and developed a thriving practice as a Money Coach for small businesses. Melanie realized a personal dream when she moved to the Fraser Valley in 2017 to live on and manage Abundance Community Farm, a not-for-profit community farm that aims to connect people to the land and each other by growing food collectively. Melanie’s approach is to meet farmers where they are at in their journey and share her knowledge, experience and resource referrals to support their next steps towards their goals.

Evolutionary and behavioral ecologist by training, Software/Data Carpentry instructor, and open-source proponent, Marie-Hélène Burle develops and delivers training for researchers on computing tools (R, Python, Julia, Git, Bash scripting, machine learning, parallel scientific programming, HPC) for Simon Fraser University and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada.

Morgan Camley (She/Her/Hers) is a partner, leader of the national Agribusiness sector group, and leader of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice group in Vancouver. Over the course of her career, she has distinguished herself as a results-driven lawyer who brings extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, agri-business, public and administrative law, appellate practice, and Aboriginal law, as well as criminal and municipal law. Morgan represents a diverse range of clients in arbitration and court at both the trial and appellate level and administrative boards. Morgan is currently ranked as a leading lawyer by Benchmark Canada, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers in Canada.

Morgan’s broad range of experience allows her to help clients creatively and cost-effectively problem-solve complex issues. She invests time and energy into understanding her clients’ business, challenges and opportunities, which, makes her an integral part of their business team. In practice, Morgan excels as a team player as well as a leader. While she skillfully guides and counsels her clients to help either avoid disputes or provide effective representation, she involves them at every stage.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Morgan has an intimate familiarity with the culture and nuances of the local legal and business communities, and community at large. Her familiarity extends beyond BC’s borders, with the national and global exposure she gained during her academic years, which took her from New Brunswick to Ontario, and all the way to China. Morgan’s professional path has been equally diverse and enriching, as she started her career as a judicial law clerk at the British Columbia Supreme Court.

George Casimir has been leading Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN) as their General Manager since 2018. George is a member of Tk’umlups te Secwepemc and has served his community as a Counselor for four terms primarily handling the Economic Development Portfolio with many achievements in business development, corporate development and joint ventures; along with being a strong advocate for establishing new partnerships for the community. George has an educational background in project management, horticulture and business development. His passion for agriculture and food shows through his ownership and operation of a small-scale farm business and his championing of the Kweseltken Kitchen and Kweseltken Market. George is a strong believer in partnerships and has pursued many of CFDC CIFN’s agriculture and food initiatives in partnership with the Kamloops Food Policy Council, local producers and post-secondary institutions.

Kelly is a fourth-generation farmer and Certified Executive Coach who holds a MA in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Kelly has been formally coaching in the ag space since 2017. Initially working with farm families – primarily dads, next gens and their siblings, Kelly’s work expanded to include cohort-based coaching through the National Farm Leadership Program (NFLP). This in turn expanded Kelly’s client base to include agribusiness managers of both private and multinational firms.

Kelly’s primary interest is in equipping and supporting people to adapt to their changing environment, roles, responsibilities, and relationships. Over time, this becomes a catalyst for personal innovation and growth that underpins their professional success.

Ve-Jane grew up in London, UK, and became interested in farming when she was still in Europe and off-grid living was taking off there as a movement. For years, the prospect of farming was a remote fantasy, but after moving to Vancouver, B.C. in 2011, she spent several years working in commercial real estate before deciding to enroll in Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Farm School programme. Since 2019, she has been running a small farm operation alongside off-farm employment. Through her work as a Land Matcher, Ve-Jane loves supporting her fellow farmers and helping landholders realize their visions for their land.

Gary Flaten (Dip. Ag., BComm. PAg) is a Farm Business Management Specialist with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF). Gary was raised on a Saskatchewan mixed (grain, oilseed and cattle) farm. Gary started his working career with the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency and spent the next twenty years working in the private sector for various seed, fertilizer, grain and supply companies including Dow AgroSciences (now Corteva), May & Baker (now Bayer Crop Science), and the United Grain Growers and Western Co-operative Fertilizers Limited (now Viterra).

Gary joined the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food as an analyst for production insurance for 10 years and then spent the next 10 years in a similar capacity for AgriStability. Based out of Kelowna, Gary’s current position is a Farm Business Specialist with the Workforce and Business Services Unit (WBSU) and Food & Beverage Branch (FBB).

Gary has a Diploma in Agriculture and Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a Professional Agrologist with the BC Institute of Agrologists.

Jim Forbes is Professional Agrologist and the proprietor of 4bZ Ag Consulting based out of Kamloops, BC. Jim worked for the Ministry of Agriculture for 31 years in many capacities including as the Regional Business Agrologist as well as the Industry Specialist for Beef & Bison. Jim was also Regional Team Lead for Emergency Responses for Wildfires from 2017 until his retirement from the Ministry in Jan. 2020. As a consultant he developed the Taking Stock Flood Recovery Workbook for the Ministry of Agriculture in response to the 2021 Atmospheric River and was contracted to help design and implementation of the Extreme Weather Preparedness Program. Jim also worked with FMC on the Roots to Success/AgriShield program.

George Geldart is a Professional Agrologist and has worked in agriculture for over 40 years. He retired after 33 years with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food in the Okanagan. His expertise is in the area of farm business management, agricultural economics, policy and extension covering a range of agricultural commodities. He is currently working as an Agricultural Economist and Farm Business Management Consultant in Vernon.

Dr. Briana Hagen is the Chief Executive Officer and Lead Scientist for the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing. After completing her Master’s of Science in Community Health and Epidemiology, Dr. Hagen completed a PhD in the department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Using both survey and qualitative data, she examined how farmers and their farms are impacted by mental health outcomes, with a focus on perceived stress and the barriers and facilitators of help-seeking for farmers. Dr. Hagen is passionate about collaborative research approaches and building strong partnerships with the agriculture community to co-design research projects and mental health programming. After completing her PhD in July 2020, she completed a two-year Mitacs Elevate Post-Doctoral Fellowship to continue her investigations around farmer mental health in Canada and expand access to ‘In the Know’: mental health literacy training for Canadian agriculture, which she co-developed. Dr. Hagen has won several awards for this work, including the 2020 Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health, the 2021 Research Achievement Award from the International Society of Agricultural Safety and Health, and the 2022 University of Guelph Innovation of the Year award for the development of ’In the Know’.

In 2008, Shaun started RealAgriculture.com as a hobby that has turned into a dream come true for him. “Getting a chance to see agriculture across Canada, talking to farmers involved in all facets of agriculture makes me a very lucky person,” says Shaun. Along with writing for RealAgriculture.com, Shaun also hosts RealAg Radio on Rural Radio 147 every weekday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

Tyler Heppell also known as Potato Ty is a Potato farmer from Cloverdale BC. Tyler is also founder of the company Ten Servings which has a mission to reduce food waste and help feed the 20% of Canadians that are food insecure. Tyler posts weekly on all social media platforms to over 1.3M followers about everything farming and agriculture related, with the goal of showing the world the good, the bad, and the beautiful parts of agriculture. He has been able to create 10,000+ super fans and regularly hosts community meet ups called “Ugly Potato days” to which over 15,000 have shown up before.

As a part owner of Hopcott Farms, I have been involved in various aspects of our family-owned and operated business since 2004. My sister, brother and I manage our butcher/market/bistro, raise/process cattle, grow 72 acres of cranberries for Ocean Spray Cranberries, host weddings/events and are always looking for opportunities to provide unique experiences on our 90+ year old family farm.

Our passion for agriculture, sustainability, and people has earned us Canada's Most Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year Award in 2023. I have also gained valuable skills and knowledge from our previous experiences in sales, pest management, and accounting. I have traveled to different parts of the world to learn from other growers and producers. I am proud to be part of the Hopcott Farms team and to contribute to the local community and economy.

Dr. Andria Jones holds a DVM and is a Full Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), University of Guelph. Her research centres on the epidemiology of mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary and agricultural sectors and she uses a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) research approach. Andria has completed a certificate program in Applied Positive Psychology, another in Emotional Intelligence, and is a certified resilience trainer. She has been awarded the Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health and two Distinguished Professor Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching.

Ove Karlsson is the son of a farmer and chose to continue the legacy of his family with a vast career in the agriculture sector. Ove obtained his masters degree in Agricultural Economics and has many years of experience in the financial sector focusing on farm financing and a subsequent career as a farm business advisor. He was one of the founders of the Farm Business Management Competence Centre at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences where he led the Strategic Farm Business Management Program and lean management training. Ove is currently the CEO of a Regional Advisory Service.

Dr. Niels Koehncke is a Specialist in Occupational Medicine and a Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. He is a faculty member and co-lead of the extension division at the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health (CCRAH). He was the past Director of CCRAH from 2012 to 2022. He provides outpatient clinical consultation in occupational and environmental medicine by referral. His current research areas are agricultural injury surveillance, agricultural health and safety interventions, and veterinary occupational exposures. He teaches occupational and environmental medicine to undergraduate and graduate students in medicine, public health, and toxicology. He also served as the Chief Occupational Medical Officer for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety for 19 years (2000-2019).

Alex Kulchar farms with his wife Julie west of Vanderhoof BC where they grow forages and raise beef cattle. Alex has served two terms as Zone Director for the BC Cattlemen’s Association and is the current Vice President. Currently operating a cow/calf herd that backgrounds and grazes most of their own calves prior to sale, Alex’s early memories from the farm he was born and raised on include managing test plots which the Ministry of Agriculture maintained as part of the Prince George Experimental Farm. This experience led to a lifelong interest in extension work to identify crops, varieties and best practices that are suited to the environmental realities of his region. Having first hand experience managing his own herd during periods of drought, Alex also works to support fellow beef producers with the challenges and tough decisions they face during times of adversity.

Sandy Miller is a seasoned professional with over 19 years of experience in developing mutually beneficial relationships and promoting health and safety within the agricultural sector. She is known for her ability to unite diverse stakeholders and her commitment to enhancing safety culture.

Sandy’s career began in 2005 with the Ontario Farm Safety Association. Since then, she has aimed to create collaborative environments, drive innovative solutions, and achieve shared goals with partners. She is passionate about providing farmers with the right resources, effective communication, advocating to improve safety mindset, and building capacity to meet the sector’s health and safety needs.

Throughout her farm safety career, Sandy has had the privilege of supporting a program of rural community partners and their dedicated volunteers who actively promote farm safety awareness through their activities and events in their local communities, significantly enhancing grassroots outreach.

A committed member of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) since 2011, Sandy has contributed to various roles, including CASA Council Member, Back to Ag Grant Review Committee member, and is an enthusiastic supporter of Canadian Ag Safety Week initiatives in Ontario.

Sandy is proud to have served two full terms on the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) board, including a term as President. Her expertise spans leadership, strategic planning, risk management, financial oversight, governance, performance monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.

Sandy believes in the importance of fostering positive changes in agricultural health and safety and that by working together, we can help ensure that farmers, their workers, and their families return home safely every day.

Caroline Mostertman, along with her husband Paul and daughter Kelsey, operates Ripples Winery and New Wave Distilling in Abbotsford, BC. Their family-run farming business employs up to 50 seasonal staff and encompasses a winery, distillery, and wholesale greenhouse on 15 acres of land. Focused on sustainability and local ingredients, the winery evolved from an organic blueberry farm and water plant nursery. Despite facing significant challenges, including a devastating flood in 2021 that left their property six feet underwater, the family’s strong teamwork and innovative spirit have helped them thrive in the industry while overseeing the event space and nursery.

Loren has served as an elected Councillor for the Ch'iyaqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation in Stó꞉lō territory for the past eight years. Throughout his career, he has championed various initiatives focused on food security, environmental stewardship, clean energy, waste reduction, local and post-secondary education, and community health. His global travels have fostered a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of the natural world.

Loren holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physical geography and has certifications in berry production. His passion for food production and the environment has driven him to pursue a Professional Agrologist designation through the BC Institute of Agrologists (BCIA). He is dedicated to enhancing food security and environmental stewardship while promoting holistic health, emphasizing the vital connection between people, land, nature, and food for overall well-being.

In addition to his council role, Loren actively works to improve Indigenous leadership and participation across various sectors. He serves as an Executive member of the S'ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA), represents the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) for School District 33, and acts as the First Nation Health Council representative for the Fraser Salish Region, which includes 32 communities. He also holds a position with the Emergency Planning Secretariat.

Recently, Loren has been instrumental in developing partnerships with local growers to enhance his community's access to fresh fruits and vegetables beyond what is currently available. He is also leading a salmon stream remediation project, with hopes of reintroducing a fish weir to his community.

In his spare time, Loren is an avid gardener, hobby beekeeper, and outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys giving presentations on mason bees at local garden centers, tending to his hobby farm, and managing a small apiary of up to 30 hives."

Erica Nitchie, Team Lead, Indigenous Food Systems, provides strategic leadership for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s initiatives that support Indigenous communities and businesses in areas such as food sovereignty, food security, and agriculture development. Leading a team of program developers and advisors, Erica designs and delivers funding programs, capacity-building initiatives, and technical resources for Indigenous communities. Erica fosters collaborative partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders and works closely with Ministry staff to ensure the operationalization of reconciliation priorities. With a strong foundation in Indigenous food systems, agriculture, and respectful relations, Erica provides expert guidance on emerging issues and contributes to the Ministry's reconciliation efforts in the food and agriculture sectors.

Edward Olson is Leader of MNP’s Environmental, Social and Governance practice and a Regional Leader of the Enterprise Risk Services practice based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Drawing on more than two decades of Canadian and international experience in public practice and industry, Edward delivers practical and meaningful business advice to private and public sector clients.

Bethany Parkinson is the Manager, Psychological Support and Education with Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Ontario Division. Bethany is a Registered Social Worker and has worked in clinical and healthcare settings, and social services. During her Master of Social Work she completed research on mental health among Canadian farmers; she is passionate about AgWO programs and wellbeing among agriculture communities. Bethany operates her family’s beef and purebred sheep farm outside of Elora, Ontario.

Stuart is MNP’s National Leader of Crop Services. Based in Edmonton, Stuart brings more than 30 years of experience in agriculture — specializing in the grain, oilseed, and pulse industry — to his role. Passionate about the agriculture industry, he grew up on a farm, and continues to participate as a producer. This experience allows Stuart to relate first-hand to what Canadian agricultural producers face in their operations — and gives him greater insights into how to help producers overcome challenges and achieve their business goals.

Stuart works with agricultural producers, associations, and other industry stakeholders on a daily basis, providing insight and advice on the complex issues affecting the industry. He has extensive experience as an agriculture business advisor and has helped clients from coast to coast deal with a wide range of issues, including succession, risk management planning, tax planning, digital adoption, and many more.

Stuart is dedicated to the community, including serving on the Farm Management Canada – Gestion Agricole du Canada (FMC-GAC) board of directors and on the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI). Stuart is also a proud member of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA, 2008).

Stuart earned a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) with Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan in 2000. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2003.

Victoria Pitsiaeli is a 4-H BC Ambassador and a second-year student studying a B.Sc. in Applied Biology and Master of Management Dual Degree at UBC. Growing up in an urban area, Victoria joined 4-H at age 8 and credits the youth program with building her public speaking skills and providing a link to agriculture she would have otherwise missed out on. She is passionate about promoting agriculture to the next generation of youth and inspiring them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Senator Mary Robinson is a globally recognized leader in the agricultural sector and an active member in her Prince Edward Island community. She is a managing partner of the Robinson Group of Companies, a 6th-generation farm and agribusiness in Albany, Prince Edward Island.

Senator Robinson has worked for over 25 years with the Robinson Group of Companies, which includes Eric C. Robinson Incorporated, Island Lime, PEI Agromart, and ECR Holdings. She has also been actively involved in agricultural sector organizations at the provincial, national, and international levels. She was a board member and the President of the PEI Federation of Agriculture, the first female Chair of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources, and the first female President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. She retired from the role of Vice-President of the World Farmers’ Organisation and member of the board for the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity in the spring of 2024. Mary also served on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s National Food Policy Advisory Council and the PEI Regional Economic Advisory Council. She is currently a member of the University of Prince Edward Island Board of Governors, and the Board of Directors of Mid Isle Farms.

Senator Robinson is a proud Prince Edward Islander whose contributions to her community have gone beyond agriculture. She maintained active roles in her local home and school association as well as local community band, and sport programs. She received the PEI Women’s Institute Outstanding Woman in Agriculture Award and was named as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada by the Atlantic Business Magazine.

Senator Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from Acadia University. In January 2024 the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed Mary Robinson to represent Prince Edward Island in the Senate of Canada. She joined the Canadian Senators’ Group and plans to focus her senate work on Canadian agriculture and rural life.

Matt Treble (he/him) has worked in the mental health field for many years and is eager to be bringing suicide prevention and mental health awareness to B.C. agriculture. He recently finished his Master of Counselling degree through Athabasca University and is very passionate about increasing accessibility to mental health resources and supports.

Dan Trottier is the Managing Partner with Tatonga Inc. and specializes in providing industry with risk management strategies for their operations. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is currently a Professional Agrologist with the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA). Dan is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional and Certified Health and Safety Consultant, In recent years Dan has been actively involved with numerous agricultural safety initiatives including the Alberta FarmSafe program, AgSafe Alberta Society, and Board positions with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and Young Farm Workers. Dan hopes to improve safety at the farm gate while assisting the agriculture industry to adopt risk management strategies that make sense.

Mark Verwey, a client service partner in the Portage la Prairie office, has over 25 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant serving clients in a wide range of industries, including owner-managed businesses, medical professional practices and agriculture clients. Mark's areas of expertise and experience include accounting and assurance, and provides enhanced services to his clients as a Certified Financial Planner and Registered Financial Planner, including estate, succession and tax planning and wealth management.

Mark chairs BDO's Manitoba Agriculture Industry Group and is a member of BDO's National Agriculture Industry Group. He has authored articles for Country Guide West Magazine and has been engaged as a speaker to share his knowledge at many client informational sessions both locally and provincially.

He also works with BDO's Senior Management Development Centre. As one of the assessors, he assists with the professional development of BDO's Senior Managers.

His community service work extends from Portage la Prairie, including the Soup Kitchen, coaching minor sports and supporting local charities, to international causes through his involvement as a Friend of the Free the Children organization.

Ashley is a 13-year-old in her fourth year of 4-H, where she loves to demonstrate her passion of showcasing her showmanship skills at the local fairs. Always eager to learn and grow, Ashley dreams of one day winning grand champion showmanship at the PNE. When she's not busy with 4-H, you can find her volleyball court, volunteering at community events, or helping around the family farm.