Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 17 continues with their leadership journey at Seminar 3 in Sarnia

Sixteen of the eighteen current and emerging Agricultural Leaders in agriculture, agri-food and rural sectors have been continuing their leadership journey with their third seminar in the Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program. For Class 17’s seminar in Sarnia, the customized leadership program explored the theme of “Shaping the Future, Dynamics of Change, Decision Making and Responsibility”.

During their time in Sarnia, the AALP Class 17 group had the opportunity to expand their learning with host Don McCabe, Director and Past President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, who gave an insightful tour of the growth and development in the area. The tour continued to the UWO Sarnia Lambton Research Park, Canada’s largest clean-tech incubator, focused on large-scale industrial biotechnology.

Class learning experiences over several days included tours and information sessions at Roelands Plant Farms Inc., Truly Green Farms Greenhouse, GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc., Michigan Sugar Company and Cargill Sarnia Terminal.

 

The Rural Ontario Institute, the organization that delivers the program, values learning from diverse perspectives and includes a focus on collaboration in its mission statement. Guest speakers such as Graham Hoogterp AALP Class 14, who discussed Understanding First Nations Issues in Ontario, gave the class significant insight into these issues from a historical and present-day perspective.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the Dean Tiessen Legacy Dinner. In honor of Dean, an AALP Class 10 graduate, his AALP classmates established the Dean Tiessen Memorial Fund to help support the third seminar of each AALP class. This seminar is traditionally hosted in Dean’s home region of southwestern Ontario and is focused on the theme of “change,” which his classmates feel very appropriately describes Dean’s approach to his agricultural businesses. An innovator, early adopter, always driven to look for solutions, as well as his energy and passion for agriculture, and most importantly, his community and family, exemplifies what the Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program is all about.

AALP participants will continue their learning about leadership and organizational development theories and practices, government and political processes, economics, trade policy, global affairs, sector and industry-related issues in Ontario and globally through North American and international study travel components.

AALP is delivered by the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). For more information visit www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca/aalp

                                                                                              -30-

For more information contact:

Rob Black, Chief Executive Officer, Rural Ontario Institute

(519)826-4204 (Ext.222) | rblack@ruralontarioinstitute.ca

Views: 245

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Investing in Alberta’s future vets

A new program funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will encourage veterinary students to work and stay in rural Alberta. The two-year, $250,000 Veterinary Student Recruitment and Retention Pilot Grant Program is aimed at enticing rural practices to hire summer veterinary students and encouraging students to continue their careers in those communities. The program focuses on practices that provide livestock veterinary services and have a current or anticipated veterinarian vacancy. Albertans need vets they can rely on in all corners of the province. The demand is especially high in rural communities, where veterinary access is essential to livestock producers’ livelihoods. Rural vet clinics can apply now for the pilot grant program. Eligible clinics will receive up to $10,000 as a wage incentive, for one veterinary student who works at the clinic between May 1 and August 31. Applications for 2027 will open next year.

Province Celebrates International Year of the Woman Farmer

The Government of Saskatchewan celebrates International Year of the Woman farmer and the women whose leadership, innovation and hard work continue to strengthen the province's agriculture sector. "Women have helped shape every part of our agriculture sector, strengthening both our economy and our communities," Agriculture Minister David Marit said. "From farming and ranching operations to research labs and processing facilities, their leadership across the value chain is driving the innovation that continues to keep Saskatchewan at the forefront of Canadian agriculture." Saskatchewan is home to more than 34,000 farms, most of them family owned, many of them operated by husband-and-wife partnerships, and a growing number run by women. The province has an active network of female agriculture professionals who strive to connect and encourage women in the industry and serve on various industry association boards and committees. One such network is Saskatchewan Women in Ag. "Saskatche

Youth Recognized for Creating Sustainable Solutions Through AgriFood Challenge

4-H youth across Canada are proving they have what it takes to tackle some of the biggest issues facing our planet. Through the AgriFood Challenge, a national initiative delivered by 4-H Canada in partnership with Syngenta Canada, 4-H members developed actionable solutions to support sustainable agriculture and food security in each of their communities.  From building bee hotels to growing and donating fresh produce to food banks and community organizations, 4-H members turned ideas into action. Youth also taught others how to grow, cook, preserve, and waste less food. Through creative soil health experiments, food rescue advocacy, and community education, these projects show how young people are connecting agriculture, sustainability, and community care in practical, meaningful ways.  “This is a testament to the skills and talents of 4-H'ers. When given the chance to be innovative, they can solve difficult problems” said Christina Franc, CEO of 4-H Canada. “The projects submitted t

More ag superstitions for Friday the 13th

Beef and dairy producers appear to be surrounded by weather forecasters

Map: February Precipitation Reduces Prairie Dryness, Drought

February brought notable dryness and drought relief across the Prairies, although localized areas continue to suffer. The latest monthly update of the Canadian Drought Monitor shows 47% of Prairie agricultural lands were being impacted by abnormal dryness or some form of drought as of the end of last month. That is down from 62% in both January and December, and 71% in November. Most of the Prairie Region experienced above-normal precipitation during February, with large portions of the region receiving 115% to more than 200% of normal. In contrast, southern Alberta and parts of southwestern Saskatchewan remained comparatively dry, with precipitation totals below 85% of normal and localized pockets receiving less than 60%. Snow cover was initially reduced during early February due to warm, dry conditions, but late-month winter storms increased snowfall across much of the region, bringing totals back to near or above normal in many areas. Although winter precipitation through the

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service