Stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t easy, but avoiding it can make challenges feel far bigger than they really are. Leaning into discomfort, rather than pushing it aside, can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward. At the Advancing Women’s Conference in Calgary, Alta., Kimberly Lyall of Solutionary Leadership encouraged farmers and industry... Read More
Category: Advancing Women in Agriculture
Farm succession planning remains one of the most complex and often delayed conversations in agriculture, bringing together business, family, and financial considerations that can be difficult to navigate without the right support. Speaking at the Advancing Women’s Conference in Calgary, Alta., Sandra Macenko Merkley, senior wealth advisor with ScotiaMcLeod, encouraged farm families to take a... Read More
Mental health continues to be a growing focus in agriculture, as farmers face increasing pressure from weather, markets, and the complexities of running multi-generational operations. In Alberta, the Agknow project has taken a closer look at what meaningful, farm-specific mental health support could look like, identifying both gaps and opportunities within the current system. Speaking... Read More
Working with family on the farm can create unique challenges, particularly when personal relationships and business responsibilities overlap. Questions around roles, expectations, and accountability can become more complicated when spouses, parents, and children are all part of the same operation. Nicole Davis of UnCommon Farms works with farms across North America on these issues, drawing... Read More
Setting clear boundaries plays an important role in avoiding burnout and maintaining long-term performance, especially in demanding careers. At the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference in Calgary, Alta., Jennifer Keable encouraged attendees to take a closer look at how they set, and maintain, those boundaries. In her session, Breaking Free: Boundaries to Thrive, Not Just... Read More
The Alberta Blue Book is designed to give growers a single, reliable source for crop protection information during the growing season, helping simplify product labels and support in-field decision-making. The guide compiles application details, safety guidelines, and product information into one place, making it easier for farmers to quickly find what they need. The 2026... Read More
Discussions around mental health, resiliency, and navigating workplace challenges drew strong interest at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference at Calgary, Alta. last week, highlighting how conversations around women’s roles in the industry have continued to evolve. For Iris Meck of Iris Meck Communications and Farms.com, that shift reflects decades of change. Meck has worked... Read More
As the saying goes, if Henry Ford had listened to what his customers wanted, they would have said, "Faster horses." For Nicole Zeni, that innovation philosophy means that while you do need to listen to your customers, you must be open to change, and challenged to thinking broadly and for the long term. Zeni manages... Read More
A lot has changed for Debra Harrison in the past 39 years. Almost four decades ago she was the first female engineer ever hired by John Deere. Today she is president of John Deere Canada. Earlier this week, Harrison shared that journey with 450 people attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference at Niagara Falls,... Read More
It's okay to not have all the answers when it comes to how you want your farm or agriculture career to look in five, 10, or 20 years down the road. Steph Kowalski, agronomy lead for Sollio Agriculture, says she ended up in her leadership role somewhat accidentally, but not without significant commitment to getting... Read More