Katie Songer

Margo's Bio

A registered Professional Agrologist, Margo has worked for over 30 years in natural resource sectors within Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta.

In her current role as the Executive Director of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association, she represents Alberta’s eleven irrigation districts to promote the importance and benefits of irrigation and associated conveyance infrastructure.

Margo, her husband and two children operate a fourth-generation irrigated crop farm located just outside of Brooks, Alberta in the Eastern Irrigation District.

Alberta Irrigation Districts Association

Michelle's Bio

Michelle DuBois is 21 years old and specializes in cow-calf beef farming, with her certificate in beef production from Olds College. Michelle comes from a non agricultural background and has paved her own path into the agriculture industry and is currently working on a local beef/grain operation. She is planning to go to school this winter for business to enhance her agricultural opportunities.

Young Agrarians

Jamie's Bio

Jamie Gervais Rietveld is a passionate advocate for food literacy and positive societal impact. With a degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Alberta, Jamie focused in nutraceuticals, complimenting earlier studies in dietetics at Southeast Missouri State University.

In response to a corporate takeover, Jamie founded FoodImpact, an initiative that delivered nutrition and food education to Alberta’s elementary schools for 11 years until the 2020 pandemic disrupted operations. During this period, Jamie pursued further education in Marketing at the University of Calgary, gaining experience in product development and social media marketing. This sparked an interest in psychology, leading to studies at Athabasca University in decision-making, behavioral science, and learning psychology.

Currently, Jamie is a graduate student in Transdisciplinary Research and a graduate research assistant at the University of Calgary, where her research bridges marketing, public health, and education to explore decision-making around food choices for youth. To address reduced funding for food education in low socioeconomic status communities, Jamie established the Food Discovery Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing food literacy education to children and disabled individuals in need.

Jamie’s enthusiasm for learning, exploration, and creating meaningful change continues to shape her impactful journey.

FOOD IMPACT

Reem's Bio

Reem Ghaleb is a passionate science educator with experience in the classroom and community education spaces. Currently, she is an educational facilitator at the Calgary Stampede, hosting field trips and school visits to teach students about sustainability and agriculture. Previously, she was a classroom teacher and educational consultant, helping schools on reserves and rural areas access resources and improve their science curriculum.

Calgary Stampede