AgAnnex Talks

Mary Ruth McDonald has always been interested in plants, which led her to the University of Guelph, the study of plant pathology, and an interest in crop protection. But it was a summer job as a pest management scout in Ontario’s Holland Marsh that clarified what she wanted to do with those interests. Between her work as an OMAFRA pest management specialist and as a professor in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph, McDonald has spent almost her entire career focusing on vegetable cropping in the unique agricultural production conditions of the Holland Marsh, acting as a bridge between research and application in the field.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, McDonald, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Fruit and Vegetable and Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard about trying new things, rolling with the punches and seeing research in action.

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

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, platinum sponsor of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.

Manitobans Brett Sheffield and Matt Mroz have worked closely together since their days studying agriculture. Sheffield, who owns NextGen Drainage and Mroz, owner of Revasto Enterprises, pride themselves in continuously challenging themselves and their knowledge, knowing the alternative ways to do things and growing their businesses at sustainable rates. As part of the GroundBreakers series, they discuss where they see themselves in the industry and where they see drainage heading.

While Heather Watson didn’t grow up on a farm, most of her youth she was drawn to agriculture, nature and farming, whether it was through her part-time job at a local farm supply store or living near farmland. After initially obtaining her Master’s degree in English literature, Watson pivoted her focus to farm business management, establishing herself in Eastern Ontario – and never looked back. Now as executive director of Farm Management Canada, Watson focuses on promoting farmers’ leadership development and elevating the voices of traditionally underrepresented groups in farming.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Watson, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Manure Manager and Drainage Contractor editor Bree Rody about what she’s learned about work-life balance, the importance of mentorship, uplifting others’ voices and more. 

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Jeremy Meiners might have been comfortable in lecture halls and research labs for the rest of his career – he obtained his PhD at Washington University at a time when he says many of its graduates were going into full-time academia careers. But Meiners pivoted and combined his passions of farming and design and joined AGREM, his father’s software company. 

Now, Meiners not only applies those passions day-to-day at AGREM, but also works hands-on with farmers in the field and furthers his knowledge on best practices and conservation. He has been part of initiatives such as webinars and drainage demonstrations in an effort to boost contractors’ know-how – and enhance his own understandings.

Adam Fisher has a passion for doing things the right way. Since creating his first Ditch Doctor prototype, Fisher has made his life about just that. His goal with the Ditch Doctor, an excavator attachment used to create, restore and maintain ditches, is for it to become the “go-to” method for maintaining infrastructure. In this GroundBreakers episode, Fisher discusses why maintaining drainage infrastructure is so important – and the various challenges facing contractors, farmers and more. 

Tune in every two weeks to hear more stories from the GroundBreakers. Never miss an episode by subscribing to AgAnnex Talks on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Award-winning farmer Lisa Mumm is a dedicated leader in the field of seed harvesting and seed policy. As a fourth-generation organic seed farmer, Lisa has a wealth of experience growing specialty seed crops. Her business, Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds, works with family farmers around the world to supply over 100 varieties of seeds for growing sprouts and microgreens. She is also the go-to to advocate for good governance of seeds to protect Canadian farmers and Canada’s global seed sovereignty.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Mumm, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Canadian Poultry editor Brett Ruffell about taking risks, her defining moment, work-life balance and the biggest challenges women in agriculture still face today. 

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice. 

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

Bruce Shewfelt, president of consultancy firm PBS Water Management, has spent his whole career focused on moving water – both away from areas that are too wet and into areas that are too dry.

His work both in the public sector and in private consultation have led him around North America, working with some of the best minds in the biz and engaging in knowledge transfer including public speaking, publishing beneficial management practices and more. In this GroundBreakers episode, Shewfelt shares how his career has evolved from its early days, what he’s learned and what he thinks the biggest challenges are in drainage and water management.

From risky career moves and adversity in the workplace to the illness and death of a loved one, Lana Shaw has encountered many curve balls in her life, and credits her village of supportive people to help her get through the challenges she’s faced. Now, Shaw strives to pay that kindness forward in her current role the executive director and research manager of the South East Research Farm in Redvers, Sask. 

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, Shaw, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture speaks to the importance of building relationships and the need to welcome new faces to the industry.

Some children develop an interest at a young age that quickly grows into an obsession and, eventually, a career. For Christine Noronha, growing up in Pakistan, that interest just happened to be insects. Now an entomologist with AAFC, she has devoted her life to the study of entomology, and knows that the smallest pests can have the biggest impact on yields, livelihoods and the environment. Beyond the bugs, Noronha is also passionate about guiding other students, particularly young women and people new to Canada, through their journeys in academia.

Agriculture editor Bree Rody chats with Noronha in this episode of AgAnnex Talks as part of this year’s Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program. IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

Welcome to the third episode in our 2022 Top 4 Under 40 series. These three episodes will feature conversations with the winners of Fruit & Vegetable’s recent contest, which sought to recognize the industry’s young trailblazers.

Jason Lanoue ended up working in horticulture in a bit of a roundabout way. Initially going to the University of Guelph for biochemistry to be a doctor, he credits a timely opportunity and his experiences on his grandparents' farm with the switch to agriculture. In this episode, Fruit & Vegetable editor Alex Barnard and Lanoue, post-doctoral researcher and greenhouse scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discuss technology in the greenhouse, bringing new approaches to old questions, and how people from any background should consider a career in agriculture.

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

Sponsored by Scotts.