The Canadian Agricultural Youth Council
Young Canadians are dynamic, engaged and passionate about the future of the agriculture and agri-food sector, and giving them a voice at the table is an important commitment of the Government of Canada.
As a consultative body to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council (CAYC) is a group of young Canadians providing advice, enabling on-going dialogue on food-related challenges and opportunities, sharing information and best practices, and advising on the strengths and weaknesses of policies and programs affecting the agriculture and agri-food sectors.
On July 24, 2020, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the names of the 25 members chosen to sit at this table. They were selected from more than 800 applications received, representing a diverse mix of individuals from subsectors across the agriculture and agri-food sector, as well as from every province and the North. The Council is co-chaired by both a youth as well as a government representative.
The first youth co-chair, selected by his peers, is Jerry Bos.
Meetings
CAYC members meet several times a year to discuss issues that matter to their peers, their community and their sector.
Highlights November 6, 2020 (via video conference)
- At the invitation of Minister Bibeau, Murad Al-Katib, member of the Industry Strategy Council and chair of the Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table (AFEST) provided an overview of the Council’s work to date and shared insights on his expectations for the new AFEST.
- The Department asked for suggestions on ways to increase awareness and appreciation of the agriculture and food sector and its contribution to rural vitality. Members shared their ideas on how activities under the Food Policy for Canada could lead to greater pride and trust. Members agreed to provide further input following the meeting.
- Jerry Bos, youth co-chair of the CAYC, outlined avenues to establish a strategic work plan for the Council. A third meeting of the Council is expected in the new year.
Highlights: September 3, 2020 (via video conference)
- Council members and the Minister had a rich discussion, with awareness of the agriculture and agri-food sector across Canada being the overarching theme.
- Discussion continued on issues ranging from public trust, building consumer confidence, to breaking down the urban-rural divide. Council members noted the importance of knowledge transfer from research to producers/consumers, as well as educating and encouraging interest among Canada’s young people in agriculture-related careers.
- Other topics included: Adjusting to and mitigating climate change; Balancing economic viability with sustainability, stewardship and social responsibility; Focusing on Canada’s strengths (for example, robust regulations, research); and Capturing opportunities (such as developing new markets, mentorship for new farmers).
- News Release: Inaugural meeting of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council – helping shape the future of agriculture and food
Members of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council
Gordon Bell
Ontario
I have a strong background in soil and environmental sciences and have spent much of my academic career considering the impacts climate change will bring to the Earth. I am a scholar in the Climate Smart Soils program at the University of Guelph which specifically seeks to train people who will help address the challenges that climate change will bring to the agricultural sector.
Jerry Bos (co-chair)
New Brunswick
I have a unique perspective in that I combine both the traditional background commonly associated with agriculture (multi-generational, European ancestry) as well as a non-typical background having restarted a farm that had gone dormant prior to my return. I have also made the transition into the dairy industry rather than inheriting or succeeding a predecessor. This offers insight and perspective on how to bridge the past, present and future of agriculture.
Vicki Brisson
Ontario
As a francophone female scientist, I am passionate about merging the bridge between research and industry while also using the skills acquired through my various life experiences to solve complex problems.
B Pratyusha Chennupati
Alberta
Having a unique skillset of engineering, sciences, and regulatory affairs background, I see opportunity in every challenge posed in agriculture. Working in a start-up and established ag-biotech company helped me think not just about the farm level practices but to have a strategy for a short- and long-term vision for markets beyond the farm.
Andrea De Roo
Saskatchewan
I am a farmer with work experience in the public and private sectors of the agriculture industry. I believe my diverse experiences can bring a unique perspective to challenges facing our generation in agriculture.
Chantele Gouliquer
Manitoba
I am a female who brings experience in a multitude of areas of animal science, production and research in swine, poultry and dairy. Starting out in the industry can be difficult with its own set of challenges which I can speak for from a perspective of someone who has experienced these challenges.
Marcus Grymonpré
British Columbia
As a relatively recent entrant to the agriculture industry, I believe my unique perspectives relate to generating awareness and excitement about the industry to attract new entrants, especially youth with no prior agriculture experience.
Paul Hrycyk
Ontario
I’ve volunteered on small-scale organic farms in southern Ontario, spent two years on a large wheat-pea-canola farm operation in Saskatchewan during my MSc thesis, and worked with over 40 farmers across North & South America. During the last two years, I’ve been employed at PUR Projet. I hope to bring these different perspectives to the CAYC.
Sameeha Jhetam
Saskatchewan
With a passion for research and animal welfare in the livestock sector, I will bring a unique perspective as a young female scientist in the poultry industry.
Brent Kobes
Saskatchewan
I have experiences in rural and urban Canada that have given me a unique understanding of how these two different communities think about and act on the dynamics of the food system.
Samuel Lanctôt
Quebec
As a business owner, I went through the start-up process and was confronted with various issues that the next generation of farmers can face.
Jessica Leung
British Columbia
I have been involved in significant parts of the value chain behind agricultural research in British Columbia at a federal level: from the administrative aspects of proposal development and communications to the technical aspects of research design and analysis. Beyond research, I have been involved in reporting regional climate impacts on agriculture and in consulting in integrated pest management. My diverse roles and experiences in the sector means that I can bring a multi-dimensional perspective to CAYC.
Carling Matejka
Alberta
I am a female mixed animal veterinarian, a fourth generation farmer, and lived in a large city for 7 years. I can relate to the struggles that farmers may have but also provide a medical veterinary perspective to the many issues facing agriculture today. Furthermore, because of my encounters with the urban population, I hear concerns they may express about agriculture and can assist in their understanding.
Ila Matheson
Prince Edward Island
With shearing I get to travel and meet different farmers which gives me a window into all sorts of sheep production styles. Additionally, in studying agriculture I get to see many other sides of the industry from crops to other livestock and processing. This gives me an interesting perspective on the interconnectedness of agricultural disciplines.
Césarée Morier-Gxoyiya
Quebec
As someone with no prior background in agriculture, I can highlight useful resources and bring up challenges experienced from that viewpoint. As a graduate student in agriculture, I can also speak to the needs and priorities from that perspective.
Sarah Ouellette
Yukon
I farm on rented land and am familiar with access to land issues for beginning farmers. I’m also a member of three agricultural groups, in addition to the Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee, so I’m familiar with the agricultural activities and challenges facing farmers in the Yukon.
Steven Paolitto
Quebec
I am a young first-generation Canadian with diverse studies, ranging from business to agriculture and now law, who lived in different settings and was exposed to many areas of work which are tangential to agriculture like chemicals and real estate and land development.
Guillaume Pasquier
Ontario
Having studied and worked in the agricultural and agri-food sector at the local (Quebec, Ontario), national (France) and international (Europe, Asia, Brazil) levels, I was able to understand both international and regional issues, their complexities, their complementarities and their divergences. This overview appears to me to be a force for developing solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow, which the entire agricultural and agri-food sector is facing.
Lauren Peters
Nova Scotia
I was not directly exposed to the agricultural industry but instead became involved after exploring my passion for food. This demonstrates that there are opportunities for all Canadians to get involved and be inspired by the work being done in the sector, no matter their background.
Kayoki Post-Whiteduck
Quebec
I am an Algonquin man who studies traditional plant medicine, wild foods and permaculture.
Colby Robertson
Alberta
The unique perspective I bring to the CAYC is developed from agricultural work experience in government, industry, and academia. Furthermore, I am bringing a perspective as the first agriculturalist in my family for several generations.
Rose Seguin
Quebec
My experience lies in community-based agricultural development, circumpolar Canadian agriculture and, most recently, in urban agriculture. As an agronomist, I am directly involved in agricultural research and forming partnerships across the agricultural sector to facilitate agricultural innovation.
Easton Sellers
Manitoba
I'm a young immigrant with an urban background who faces the challenges of starting up a farm business, not having the generation before me to guide me prior to succession, and direct marketing on a small farm level. My focus of building a career around mental health is how I ended up in this position, and maintaining mental health happens to be an immense challenge in the busyness of the agricultural industry. This is one of the most important ways I connect with others in the agricultural industry and an area where I feel there is essential work to be done.
Sara Kate Smith
British Columbia
As someone who is just beginning their career, I think that I can bring insights into the experiences young people go through when trying to find their place in the industry. Additionally, through 4-H I have had many experiences working in youth-adult partnerships and understand the barriers that exist and ways to address them.
Kalysha Snow
Newfoundland and Labrador
For two years, I worked with Agriculture in the Classroom NL – where I worked actively with a team to ensure that future and current Canadian consumers are informed and aware of how their food is produced. Now, I work with the producers daily and I hear first-hand the challenges that they face regarding the environment and climate change. I believe that both of these experiences make my perspective on Canadian agriculture rounded and unique.
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