The First Sixteen

"In my mind, those frameworks are both an art and a science." That's how Dori Gingera-Beauchemin describes the work of building Canada's national agricultural frameworks. And right now, the next one is taking shape. The Next Policy Framework will run 2028 to 2033 and succeeds the Sustainable CAP. We speak with two people who have shaped these frameworks from every angle. Dori Gingera-Beauchemin spent forty-four years with the Manitoba Department of Agriculture, including a decade as Deputy Minister. She has sat at the table for every framework negotiation since the year 2000. Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, has worked every side of the policy process from inside government, in industry, and on his own farm. Hear how policy moves the needle, where the next framework needs to focus, and why, as Tyler puts it, "we need to speak with one voice where we agree, and have respectful disagreement when we don't."

Turning high-tech concepts into field-ready tools requires more than just a good idea—it requires real-world validation and farmer-to-farmer trust. In this episode, we speak with Herman Simons, who leads Smart Agriculture Applied Research at Olds College in Alberta. He oversees dozens of projects each year that test emerging technologies.. We’re also joined by agronomist, Steve Larocque, an independent crop advisor who works with producers and with Olds College to turn new ideas into practical, field-ready systems.

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s new tool, IP Central, brings you all the IP support you need in one place, with clear guidance, how-to resources, and links to funding and events from trusted partners.  

2026 is the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women are changing the face of farming in Canada. They are highly educated. They’re working hard. And, while they are having success, they also encounter unique barriers to entry and advancement in the sector. This episode speaks with two women from the Prairies – Dr. Lauren Younker, Feedlot Production Consultant and member of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council and farmer and entrepreneur Lesley Kelly – who are at the vanguard of this movement. Learn how they are breaking down barriers. Hear their vision for the future of agriculture in Canada. 

Learn more about the programs and resources discussed in the episode through AGPAL and from Farm Credit Canada.  

Farm transitions aren’t simply business deals — they’re deeply human and often emotionally complex. In this episode, we speak with two innovators reimagining how farms change hands and how new farmers find their place. Heather Watson, Executive Director of Farm Management Canada, brings a national view on business planning, succession, and the changing realities of farm ownership. Sara Dent, co-founder of Young Agrarians, is creating new pathways into farming — helping aspiring producers find land, mentors, and community.

Learn more about the toolkits from Farm Management Canada, Young Agrarians, and Farm Credit Canada.

From phones and computers to automated systems in barns and data collection in harvesters, each piece of technology on a farm is a fantastic tool – and a potential weak point. And hackers look for – weak points. Just as producers protect livestock and crops from predators, they need to do the same to protect their technology. In this episode, Dr. Ali Dehghantanha, Canada Research Chair in cyber security at the University of Guelph, explains how producers can stay a few simple and innovative steps ahead of the criminals.  And Charles-Félix Ross, Director General of Quebec’s UPA, shares what happened when his organization was hit by ransomware and the key lessons learned.  Learn more about the Toolkit.

How do we open new markets in diverse and dynamic countries? What challenges do we face, and what solutions are being used? Chris White, President and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council, and Diedrah Kelly, Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila, share their insights. From building strong trade relationships to promoting Canada’s trusted brand, this episode explores the work needed to grow Canada’s presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

Innovators take risks. And they need investors who are willing and informed to help them take the risks.  Alison Sunstrum is a pioneering entrepreneur turned investor, now on a mission to fix the gaps she once faced—mentorship and access to capital—by investing in exceptional talent and bold ideas in agriculture. Graeme is part of the team at FCC Capital, which is a new effort from Farm Credit Canada to provide what he calls 'patient, and reliable capital' to agri-food and ag-tech companies across the country. Hear how these two and their teams are filling an important funding gap in Canada to help innovation in the ag sector.   

Farmers are taking action to protect the environment and strengthen the competitiveness of our agricultural sector. We speak with three producers who are leaders in reducing greenhouse gases, sequestering carbon, and building resilience against climate change. With support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), they’ve adopted beneficial management practices (BMPs) that make good business sense. Tune in to hear their insights and advice for fellow producers.

Lori Robinson, a 6th generation farmer in PEI, is a data hound.  As a result of her 50+ years of her and her family taking detailed notes and 20 + years of doing a four-year crop rotation system she laid the groundwork for a user-friendly calculator for crop rotations that has both economic benefits for producers and environmental benefits. Developed at the Living Labs initiative in PEI in conjunction with the PEI Potato Board, the calculator helps producers maximize profits while reducing their use of pesticides and improving soil health. And the story of the calculator has some interesting twists.

How has plant breeding evolved over the past 20 years? Who are the players in Canada? What is the plant breeding continuum? And what is the proverbial sandbox in which Canadian plant breeders are working? Learn this and why it takes a special breed of innovator to become a plant-breeder.