Speakers

Sarah Wells | Olympian and Founder of the Believe Initiative

Obstacles don’t scare Sarah Wells. As a 400m hurdler, Sarah earned a reputation for overcoming challenges and achieving the impossible. Take her debut at the London Olympics in 2012, which came despite an injury that had sidelined her for months just the year before. Outside of competitive sports, this athlete is coaching people to pursue their goals through the Believe Initiative, an organization founded on—fittingly—a message of resilience. Most recently you would have seen Sarah pushing her limits on the latest season of the Amazing Race Canada where she was able to apply her tactics in a whole new kind of race! Evidently someone who understands the importance of being resilient and the power of purpose, you’ll want to listen-up when this Olympic semi-finalist and Pan Am Games silver medallist takes the stage. 

David Hill | Research Associate and Project Manager at University of Lethbridge

David Hill began his professional career with Alberta Agriculture in November 1973 (he’s really old -- sort of) and has had the opportunity of working in a wide range of water, agriculture, integrated resource management and research domains. He has also had the opportunity to engage and participate in a number of international research initiatives, most often in the water and agriculture realm. He is passionate about the role that agriculture, agri-business, agri-tech and accompanying sustainability should play in showcasing how agriculture should be a dominant and sustainable economic engine for Alberta and Canada. His current role at the University of Lethbridge is focused on increasing the connectivity between researchers, agricultural industries (producers and processors) and increasing the impact of learning and research opportunities for students and faculty.

Erika Bolliger | Manager- School Smart Forest Program at Canada’s Forest Trust

Erika Bolliger is the Manager of the School Smart Forest program at Canada’s Forest Trust. She has an educational background in Biodiversity Science and Forest Conservation and grew her career by building direct-action conservation programs. Her mission is to empower young leaders by providing meaningful action and resources that support a green future.

B Pratyusha Chennupati | Council Member of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council

Colby Robertson | Council Member of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council

Colby grew up near Carberry, Manitoba, a region well known for its potato production. Drawing from his hometown for inspiration, he pursued undergraduate and graduate degrees in agriculture and potato research. His career has spanned government, private industry, and educational institutions, with more exciting experiences ahead of him. Colby will be bringing a CAYC member’s perspective contributing to the overall panel discussion on the human future of agriculture. I will be bringing the perspective of the future being influenced by youth’s involvement in BOTH the career side of agriculture and the consumer side of it.

Shaun Soonias | Director of Indigenous Relations at Farm Credit Canada

Shaun Soonias is the Director of Indigenous Relation with Farm Credit Canada and is a proud member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, located in Treaty Six Territory, west of the Battlefords. Shaun has 29 year of experience in social and economic development having held senior positions with all orders of government, non-profits, and in independent office of the Saskatchewan legislative assembly. Shaun is passionate about agriculture and what this sector means to Indigenous economic development and what Indigenous involvement means to this sector and the resiliency and wellbeing of Canada’s economy.

Katelyn Duban | Farmer | Podcaster | Speaker at Wild Rose Farmer Inc.

Katelyn Duban is a first generation farmer and President and Lead Creative of Wild Rose Farmer Inc. She works to amplify and celebrate the voices of Rural Women through her podcast, The Rural Woman Podcast.

Luke Silinski | Founder and Chief of Play at AGTechSTEAM

Luke, the Founder and Head of Play, of Ag Tech Steam has been working since 2018 to bring ag tech and STEAM to rural and underserved youth across Canada with his ATS Boxes and online content. A peer advocate for inclusion, diversity and access to materials which can help students find career paths in agriculture and ag tech. Luke loves to code, build Lego, farm with his family including running equipment and working with robots.

Norine Ambrose | Executive Director at Cows and Fish

In her nearly 23 years with Cows and Fish, Norine has focused on working with landowners, communities and natural resource professionals to help them recognize the value of riparian areas, and what they can do to maintain these areas as healthy, productive pieces of our landscape. Her work with community leaders, organisations and agencies emphasises sharing lessons learned in effective program design and delivery. She combines wetland ecology research with her farm upbringing to help bridge science, management and education. She believes strongly that those who manage and use the land are critical to ensuring a healthy landscape.

Shiana Younger | Community Animator at Rural Routes 2 Climate Solutions and Regenerative Rancher at Younger Cattle Co.

Shiana will be joining us for two sessions at Cultivate 2022, once on behalf of Rural Routes 2 Climate Solutions and once to present on her own regenerative ranching practices at Younger Cattle Co. Shiana joined the RR2CS team as the Community Animator in February 2022 and is a 4th generation rancher based near Brownfield, AB with her husband and 3 daughters. They use a Holistic approach in raising beef cattle, a few dairy cattle, pastured broiler chickens, laying hens and pastured pork. Their land base is over 92% grasslands and implement planned grazing, off site watering, solar electric fencing, wind turbines and polyculture feed crops. The Younger’s take stewardship very seriously and are working hard to sustain and regenerate their soil health. They have partnered with groups like Ducks Unlimited and Battle River Watershed Alliance for some of their ranch projects. They hope to provide the opportunity for their girls to continue on the family legacy and heritage for many more generations. Raising nutrient dense local food for our family and community is a passion for Shiana.

Ben Campbell | Rancher at Tullichewan Ranch

Ben started out as an engineer in search of a purpose, he wanted to contribute to help leave the world in better shape than how he found it. He heard about regenerative agriculture through a friend and bought some cattle in 2013 to work with on the side of his engineering job. He quit engineering in 2016 and moved full time to regenerative ranching in the foothills south west of Calgary where he manages about 300 head of cattle each year.

Brie Nelson | Environmental Scientist at WaterSMART Solutions Inc.

Brie specialized in water through a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management at McGill University, which also involved a three-month internship in Stockholm, Sweden working at the secretariat for the Global Water Partnership. For the 6 years since then, Brie has been working on watershed management as an environmental scientist, and in public education around water through the Alberta WaterPortal Society..

Alison Regan | Director of Projects at WaterSMART Solutions Inc.

Alison is a Professional Engineer, registered with APEGA, with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and recently also obtained her Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) Designation from Supply Chain Canada. Alison is the Director of Projects at WaterSMART solutions and has extensive experience in Project Management and leadership.

Kaleigh Watson | Program Manager at Alberta Water Portal

Kaleigh has a background in marketing and media, including photography, graphic design, web design, and video production. She joined the Alberta WaterPortal in 2021 and has been able to apply her mixed background by doing strategic business development activities, as well as leading the creation of articles, graphics, and videos for Water Connections, which will be presented at Cultiv8! In her spare time she enjoys reading and enjoying the natural environment by hiking or skiing.

Lynsay Beavers | Stakeholder Engagement Specialist at Canadian Cattle Association

Lynsay Beavers is the Stakeholder Engagement Specialist at the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA). Working as part of the Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE) team, Lynsay leads various projects to promote consumer trust in the Canadian beef industry. She also supports the PSE team in issues response and assists with campaign strategy and execution. Prior to joining CCA, Lynsay worked in the dairy industry in extension, marketing, and communications. Lynsay is a two-time graduate of the University of Guelph, a recent survivor of ‘two kids under two’ and like a true millennial, pursues meaningful work, which to her, means working for farmers.

Mike Nemeth | Senior Advisor, Agricultural and Environmental Sustainability at Nutrien

Mike leads Nurtien’s global water stewardship, nature, and biodiversity efforts as material ESG topics and how they relate to sustainable agriculture. Mike received his Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Environmental Science and his Master of Science in Hydrology from the University of Lethbridge. He is registered as a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Inside Education, and the Chair of the Water Committee for the Potato Sustainability Alliance in North America.

Pablo Pina | Academic Chair, Sustainability at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

I have over fifteen years of experience in applied research and post-secondary practice. Following my Doctorate (University of Alberta), I worked at the UCalgary as a research associate. Later, I moved into consulting and interacted with government (local and provincial levels), non-for-profits, industry and post-secondary institutions to develop strategic planning programs and initiatives. My work has been presented, and acknowledged, in Canada, the United States, Latin America, and Europe. In 2017, I joined the MacPhail School of Energy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) as the Endowed Academic Chair of Water Sustainability. In 2020, my role was expanded as the Academic Chair of Sustainability. As the Academic Chair of Sustainability, I lead applied research and three academic programs.

Dr Edward Bork | Professor and Director- Rangeland Research Institute at the University of Alberta

I have over fifteen years of experience in applied research and post-secondary practice. Following my Doctorate (University of Alberta), I worked at the UCalgary as a research associate. Later, I moved into consulting and interacted with government (local and provincial levels), non-for-profits, industry and post-secondary institutions to develop strategic planning programs and initiatives. My work has been presented, and acknowledged, in Canada, the United States, Latin America, and Europe. In 2017, I joined the MacPhail School of Energy at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) as the Endowed Academic Chair of Water Sustainability. In 2020, my role was expanded as the Academic Chair of Sustainability. As the Academic Chair of Sustainability, I lead applied research and three academic programs.

Amber Kenyon | Extension Coordinator at Gateway Research Organization

Amber Kenyon is the Extension Coordinator for Gateway Research Organization, an applied research association based out of Westlock, AB that does a mixture of small plot trials (including soil health and perennial grain research). Amber also runs Greener Pastures Ranching Ltd. with her husband Steve Kenyon, near Busby, AB. Together they run a regenerative ranch using well managed grazing techniques and teach about regenerative management, as well as farm business management.

Megan Andre | Executive Director at Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society

Megan Andre is the Executive Director of the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society or AWES. She is a professional Agrologist, with a background in conventional agriculture, forest reclamation, and grants management. While she’s gained experience in many areas of Agrology over the last 20 years, she’s only recently found her way back to her rural Alberta roots. She now works with farmers and rural communities bring together eco-restoration projects, developing regenerative farm plans, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Patty Milligan | Agriculture Education Specialist at Edmonton Urban Farm

Patty Milligan works for Explore Edmonton connecting people to food and farming. A large part of her work is focused on the Edmonton Urban Farm--a 2-acre piece of land in central Edmonton where 300 people in 22 groups grow food for their communities. Patty has a strong interest in all aspects of agriculture especially beekeeping!

Brooke Kapeller | Program Coordinator at Bow River Basin Council

Brooke’s passions lie in land and water conservation, landscape management, geospatial tools, and utilizing collaborative tools to achieve common goals. She grew up in southern Alberta and has lived in all three major cities within the region. Brooke takes a dual-pronged approach to her work, combining her scientific and technical skills with her passion for community building. She holds a Master of Sustainability, BSc in Geography with a concentration in GIS, and a diploma in Renewable Resource Management. In her free time, Brooke loves to get out and explore the landscapes of southern Alberta and paddle the waters of the Bow River Basin.

Rosemarie Ferjuc | Watershed Engagement and Communications Manager at Red Deer River Watershed Alliance

Rosemarie Ferjuc has nearly 15 years of experience working in water and wetland planning and policy, and has led the design and implementation process for a number of national and internationally focused projects and programs for government, private industry and ENGO’s within Canada and Europe. An environmental geographer and wetland ecologist by training, Rosemarie has a passion for bringing people together, and bridging the gaps between scientific knowledge and understanding when it comes to navigating complex watershed and wetland policy issues in Alberta.

Megan White | Journey 2050 Coordinator at Calgary Stampede

Megan has a love of Animals and Agriculture, from a young age she worked with livestock, eventually pursuing her Veterinary Technician certification from Olds College. She then went on to study Agriculture at the University of Lethbridge. Megan has travelled around the world with Vets without Borders helping to spread best management practices and learning from farmers around the world. Megan spends most of the week working with the Calgary Stampede in the education team, she can be found hiking the OH ranch, petting goats with Stampede School, or exploring how to feed the world with the Journey 2050 field school.

Jianyi Dong | Farmer and Founder at FreshPal Ltd.

Jianyi was a geologist working for oil companies. He started farming in 2018. It took him 1 year to build his first passive solar greenhouse with his wife. He grows tomatoes, melons and many other varieties of fruity veggies without artificial heating.

Jerremie Clyde | Little Loaves Farm

Jerremie Clyde is part owner of Little Loaves Farm. He shares the farm with his wife Rita and brothers-in-law Stephen and Michael. Rita and Jerremie have been farming together for almost twenty years. During that time they have maintained a commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security. When not farming Jerremie can generally be found at the University of Calgary where he is both a librarian and researcher working in the area of games studies and game based learning.

Theo and Elize Van der Gun | VanderGun Dairy

We are Theo And Elize Van der Gun owning and operating VanderGunDairy, what is a family farm . We milk a total of 140 milk cows, and 30 dry cows , and also calves and heifers for replacement. We farm 650 acres (260 Ha) land for feed . We produce high standard quality milk and cow/ animal welfare is very important to us .

Martien and Tiesta Huyzier| | Huntcliff Dairy

Martien and Tietsia Huyzer started Huntcliff Dairy in 2002. They build the dairy farm from scratch and purchased two herds of Holstein cows. Over the years they kept building the farm and introduced some Jersey cows to the herd. In 2018 they decided to go for a whole Jersey herd and stopped using Holstein semen and in the late summer of 2022 only one Holstein cow is left on the farm. They see a good fit for Jersey cows in todays goals of getting closer to farming carbon neutral, since these animals produce almost as many kilo’s of butterfat than a Holstein cow but with less feed and less manure production

David Webb | Egg Farmers of Alberta

With over 20 years experience in marketing, public relations, and brand management, David Webb has been the the Marketing & Communications Manager with Egg Farmers of Alberta for the past 11 years. David is the public voice for Alberta’s more than 170 egg farming families, who proudly provide their fellow Albertans with fresh, local eggs.

Melody Garner-Skiba | Alberta Sugar Beet Growers

Melody Garner-Skiba is a ranch raised Southern Alberta gal who has spent her life working in various industries to learn and grow while connecting with others. By day, you can find her working for the “sweetest farmers” in the country, the sugar beet growers, as their Executive Director. By night (and every other waking hour), she operates Rocking Heart Ranch with her family, a Quarter Horse Breeding operation near Waterton Lakes National Park. She is a mother, wife, and loves to spend time at the river or horseback riding. Melody was educated at the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management, Major in Marketing and has worked in hospitality, construction, social services, and non-profit management. Her goal is to help show the world how amazing the agriculture industry is and all that it can offer. 

Debra McLennan | Alberta Pulse Growers

Debra McLennan is a Registered Dietitian with over 30 years of experience in health care, education, and industry. Debra now brings her passion for food and nutrition to her role as Food & Nutrition Coordinator with Alberta Pulse Growers where she enthusiastically encourages everyone to add tasty Alberta pulses to their meals every day!

Tara Baycroft | Alberta Canola Producers

Tara Baycroft is the Public Engagement and Promotions Manager for Alberta Canola. She is newer to her role but not new to teaching. She has taught various CTS Foods classes and has a Science background and grew up in a rural setting. She has a major in Biological Studies and minor in Human Ecology CTS from the University of Alberta, with a focus on Food Studies. She believes that everyone should truly understand where their food is coming from and the health impacts it has on their body. She thoroughly enjoys talking about the positive health benefits and science behind canola.

Corry Pepper | Careers: The Next Generation

Enjoy working for non - profit, been a Program Coordinator with Careers for 2 1/5 years. When not helping students with career exploration, you will find me doing pottery in my home studio, hanging with my family and exploring trails with my dogs, Jude and Posey!

Ray Cochrane | Nutrients for Life

Ray Cochrane is a retired senior science teacher and has been with Nutrients for Life Canada for 9 years. Raised on a mixed farm in Manitoba, he continues to have an interest in providing students and teachers with science-based information in the areas of soil science, sustainable agriculture, and environmental practices.

Stacy Zimmer | Alberta Wheat and Barley

Margo Jarvis Redelback | Alberta Irrigation Districts Association

A registered Professional Agrologist, Margo has worked in various natural resource sectors within Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta on management projects involving wildlife, vegetation, forestry and irrigation.

Margo worked at the Eastern Irrigation District for many years where she had the pleasure of directly assisting producers with wildlife habitat initiatives, irrigation development projects and on-farm efficiency conversion projects while at the same time promoting the benefits of these activities to the general public.

In her current role as the Executive Director of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association, she continues to represent Alberta’s irrigation sector by actively promoting the value and sustainability of irrigation.

Margo, her husband and two children live on and operate a third-generation irrigated crop farm located just outside of Brooks, Alberta.

Kaleigh Watson | Alberta WaterPortal

Kaleigh has a background in marketing and media, including photography, graphic design, web design, and video production. She joined the Alberta WaterPortal in 2021 and has been able to apply her mixed background by doing strategic business development activities, as well as leading the creation of articles, graphics, and videos for Water Connections, which will be presented at Cultiv8! In her spare time she enjoys reading and enjoying the natural environment by hiking or skiing.

Marie Leslie | Alberta Chicken Producers

Maria grew up on a mixed operation, family-farm near Smoky Lake, Alberta. Maria is an experienced marketer, communicator and, story teller with a demonstrated history of working in the agriculture and media. Skilled in creative production, project management and strategic planning.