AgAnnex Talks

Welcome to our new podcast miniseries, Focus on Drainage. In this four-episode miniseries, we speak to experts from different aspects of the agricultural drainage and water management sector to discuss evolving trends and innovation in the field of water management. Contractors, educators, advocates and government experts weigh in on how to evaluate drainage decisions for your operation, how to work with contractors and what to know about drainage and conservation.

In our first episode, we chat with Iowa's Chris Hay. Hay, now an independent consultant focused on agricultural water management, has a background in both academia and extension, including with Iowa State University and the Iowa Soybean Association. With much of his experience focused on both irrigation and subsurface drainage, it makes sense that Hay's career eventually began to also focus on drainage water recycling (DWR). Hay shares what the benefits are of DWR, both from a yield perspective and an environmental perspective, what conditions favor DWR, and what the future holds in terms of costs and subsidization.

In our latest episode of the Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture podcast series, we speak to Cheryle Warkentine, Co-Owner of Aletta Holsteins.

Warkentine has been a driving force in modernizing and expanding her family’s farm, which includes dairy cattle, hogs, and laying hens.

Her innovative approach and dedication to sustainable farming practices have significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of the operation.

Beyond the farm, Warkentine is a pillar of her community. She manages sports teams, serves on her church’s leadership team, and initiates various volunteer programs, demonstrating her commitment to giving back.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Warkentine, one of the 2024 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell about her journey in agriculture, the challenges and rewards of running a diversified farm, the importance of innovation, and her extensive community involvement.

“Just the other day, I was looking at third-party certification for polyethylene drainage tubing, and wondering, ‘What does a master’s in sociology and a certificate in conflict mediation have anything to do with what I’m doing?’”

Mel Luymes, who holds several advocacy and organization roles in Ontario agriculture including executive director of the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO) has spent most of her life chasing diverse challenges, always aiming to reshape her own perceptions and enable lifelong learning. From growing up on a farm to pursuing an education in the humanities and now spending her days alternating between fields, offices and meeting many, many different kinds of people, Luymes views her career as a journey with no discernable end point, but rather continuous evolution.

In this discussion with agriculture editor Bree Rody, Luymes discusses how she transfers skills from one role to another, how she learned to stand tall when she’s one of the only women in the room and what she’s appreciated about the various friends, allies and mentors she’s encountered throughout her career.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2024 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  

For our inaugural episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Liz Robertson, the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA). With over 20 years of experience, Robertson has been instrumental in building and leading Canada's largest network of farm business professionals. Her dedication has provided continuous learning and networking opportunities for advisors, enhancing their ability to serve the complex needs of Canada’s farm families.

Throughout the interview, Robertson shares some of her proudest achievements and innovations in farm advisory services. She discusses the significant growth of CAFA under her leadership, with membership surpassing 600 professionals who regularly convene to exchange insights and learn from expert speakers. Listeners will gain insights into Robertson’s vision for the future of farming and her strategies for attracting and training a diverse range of professionals. Join us as we delve into her journey and influential role in shaping the future of farm advisory services.

Niagara Falls might not be the obvious venue for a late February trip, but each year Ontario's fruit and vegetable industry converges on the tourist hotspot for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC). Featuring a plethora of educational sessions, craft cider and beer competitions, a lively trade show, and much more, OFVC is the event for those looking for the latest, top-of-mind topics in fruit and vegetable production. One thing the pandemic put into perspective was the value of conversations held at events like this. Whether at a booth, between sessions, or during happy hour, having a casual chat is a great way to learn what other people in the industry are thinking, considering, or trying.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard spoke with:

• Amanda Tracey, vegetable crop specialist for tomato, pepper, eggplant, sugarbeet and table beets, OMAFRA, about how grower concerns drive session topics at OFVC, as well as Phytophthora capsici;
• Ray Janssen, Eastern Canada sales representative, Gowan Canada, about the company's latest miticide, Magister;
• Nicole De Long, director of business and client development, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, about the newly licensed HW624 pear and the Centre's partnership with the Greenhouse Technology Network;
• Note: Nicole mentions a session given by Alexandra, who is Alexandra Grygorczyk, research scientist, sensory and consumer services, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
• Rita Sterne, project manager, Greenhouse Technology Network, about the GTN and the role it plays in bringing new technologies to growers.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support for this episode provided by Gowan Canada.

Host Bree Rody catches up with Hamilton Economic Development's Tyson McMann, Business Development Consultant – Agri-Food and Food & Beverage, to discuss the importance of agriculture to the roots – and present – of the city of Hamilton. From the unique geographic and economic factors that lead to big opportunities, to challenges unique to the region, McMann also shares how you can get involved with and support agriculture business, products and the community in Hamilton.

Karen Della Campbell came to agriculture from a non-traditional path. During the course of her travels and studies to become a midwife, she and her then-boyfriend, now-husband lived in Eugene, Ore., and were surrounded by farms and market gardens – which she had never seen in southern Ontario in the 1990s. When they returned to Ontario, they opened their own market garden, selling through the Guelph Farmers Market, which led them to Hillsburgh, Ont.'s Everdale Farm, a former free school, once the land they were farming traded hands.

Since then, Campbell and her team have developed Everdale into a community hub, with a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, harvest parties, food security projects, connections with local food banks and youth groups, internships to educate others on sustainable agriculture, sharing the space with Indigenous and LGBTQ groups, and much more. Over the past 25+ years, Everdale – and Campbell – have become an example of ethos in practice: embodying and spreading the type of agriculture, social values, programs and charitable initiatives they want to see in the world.

In this episode of the 2023 IWCA podcast series, Campbell chats with AgAnnex editor Alex Barnard about pacing yourself, building connections and relationships, and letting your values guide your actions.

Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science Canada, platinum sponsor of the 2023 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program, for sponsoring this series.

Our final GroundBreakers episode profiles Dr. Gary Sands of the University of Minnesota. Considered a leading educator in the field of drainage and water management, Dr. Sands is also known for his powerful collaboration skills. He’s led a series of drainage design workshops that have been a model for other extension drainage schools; he led the development of the annual Drainage Research Forum, which is now in its twenty-first year. His nominator, Chris, described his research work as game-changing, and having led to significant scientific advancements.

This episode is sponsored by The Water Table, a Prinsco education initiative.

Widely recognized as a leader and innovator in regenerative soil management, Judith has led and co-led a number of national projects, including the Living Laboratories Atlantic Canada project. She’s an active advocate for the Living Lab concept, and beyond her research, has mentored two summer students every summer for the past decade, and also serves as an adjunct professor at Dalhousie and Laval Universities.

In this conversation, Nyiraneza discusses how her young life in Rwanda, which brought her an inherent appreciation for agriculture combined with an aptitude for science, led her toward that specific discipline in her academic career. She also shares why she is so passionate about the Living Lab concept and how it can benefit all Canadians – not just those within the ag space. And, she gives insights into what skills make her a strong leader and teammate, and shares her thoughts on the need for more gender balance in the agricultural research space.

Chris Hay never wanted to go into agriculture at first – "that's what Dad did," he says. But a fascination with water management led him down the path of agricultural irrigation and drainage. After spending some time in the "ivory tower" of academia, Hay later turned to extension work and then parlayed that into his role with the Iowa Soybean Association, where he balances his loves of research, education and working up-close and personal with farmers. A problem-solver by nature, Hay discusses his passion for the work, the role and the results.