The University of Guelph has named Paul Hoekstra as its first executive director, agri-food strategy and partnership. He will begin serving in the new role Nov. 9. Hoekstra most recently served as vice president of strategic development with Grain Farmers of Ontario and brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic leadership and stewardship... Read More
Category: Human Resources
The Government of Alberta has committed an additional $1 million to Genome Alberta’s work placement program which provides support for recent graduates entering fields such as bioinformatics, big data, and business development. While the program serves Alberta’s broader biotechnology sector, genomic tools and technologies have significant applications in plant and livestock agriculture, food production, health,... Read More
Casper Kaastra, chief executive officer with Sollio Agriculture, announced he will step down at the end of 2026. Posting on LinkedIn, Kaastra said, "After more than five years at the helm of Sollio Agriculture, I have decided to pass the torch at the end of December. I do so with pride, gratitude and unwavering confidence... Read More
Welcome to another episode of the How Could I Know? podcast with co-hosts Patti Durand and Chris Corbett of Brightrack Consulting! On this episode, the hosts sit down with Bryan Maynard, farmer and co-owner of Farmboys Inc., located in Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island. Maynard discusses employee and farm management, leadership, and the importance of... 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
Canada’s agriculture sector has the potential to be a world leader—but only if it confronts key structural challenges. That’s the message behind RBC’s “Next Generation of Growth” report, which highlights how talent shortages and declining R&D investment are holding back momentum across the sector. Lorna McKercher, national director of agriculture strategy with RBC, outlines why... Read More
It’s time for a catch-up Christmas special on The Truth About Ag! With nearly 50 episodes behind them, co-hosts Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert look back at the conversations that shaped the show. From CEOs who started on the ground floor to guests who opened up about health, mindset, and the realities of modern farming,... Read More
Clear, calm communication can make all the difference on a ranch, something Etienne Poulin has learned first-hand from working as a ranch hand across Australia and Canada. In this episode of Ruminating with RealAg, host Amber Bell sits down with Poulin to talk about what communication looks like from the employee’s side, and how it... Read More
If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, putting out fires, juggling cash flow and reacting to problems instead of steering your farm, this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast is for you. Host Shaun Haney welcomes Saskatchewan farmer and business coach Josh Kerpan to unpack how producers can transition from overwhelmed operators…Read More
Canada’s ag retail sector is under increasing pressure from all sides. Labour shortages, regulatory complexity, and volatile global markets are creating a tough environment for service providers already stretched thin, says Myrna Graham, executive director of the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR). “Retailers are the interface between the manufacturer or the distributor and the grower,”... Read More