FCC to Host Young Farmer Summit Events
Young Farmers Invited to In-Person and Virtual Events in Canada
OMAHA (DTN) -- Canadian farmers under 40 years old are invited to a collection of free Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Young Farmer Summit events starting this November through March of next year, both in person and virtual.
FCC is a federal Crown corporation reporting to Canadians and Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The company provides financing and other services to more than 100,000 customers.
Starting in November, the FCC Young Farmer Summit aims to help young farmers supercharge their farm management through several free, all-day events.
Attendees can learn from industry experts, connect with peers and explore the business side of farming. Topics include transition planning, business management, mental health and more. In-person events will take place during the winter in Ottawa and Kitchener in Ontario; Red Deer and Strathmore in Alberta; Winnipeg in Manitoba; and Swift Current in Saskatchewan. The session in Quebec in December will be held in French.
Each of the Greely/Ottawa, Kitchener, Red Deer, Strathmore and Swift sessions will be hosted by Katelyn Duban, the host of the Rural Woman Podcast. Duban is a first-generation farmer, storyteller and community builder. Since 2019, she has celebrated the stories of women in agriculture through her podcast, The Rural Woman Project. With more than a half million downloads, Duban has been able to reach and amplify the voices of rural women to a worldwide audience.
THEMES AND SESSIONS
Many of the events in Canada have recurring themes, sessions and speakers.
-- In "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence," attendees can learn leadership and taking the farm to success while maintaining team harmony. Farm Management Canada will share principles of farm management excellence and offer practical solutions and tools to proactively navigate agriculture's complexities to ensure a thriving and resilient farming future.
-- "The Business of Farming" details key strategies and tactics integral to the success of farming. From debt and cash flow management, to creating and assessing success metrics, this session will provide insights to help farmers navigate the ever-increasing complexities and challenges producers face.
-- Team members of FCC Ag Economics share spot trends and assess risks to make informed decisions and investments in "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making." The team forecasts the economic and financial variables that matter in 2025. Attendees will learn how to navigate the uncertain economic environment and interest rates, get profitability projections for agriculture and explore farmland value trends.
-- "The Power of a Positive Mindset" explores the unique impact that working in the agricultural industry can bring on mental health. This session explores growth, the power of mindset and psychological principles that support well-being in good times and help farmers build resilience during challenging times.
-- Exploring data, "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making," is a session on agriculture data quality and how to integrate farm business planning and the data lifecycle.
-- Lastly, "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers" focuses on comprehensive transition planning focused on helping young farmers navigate the complexities of family dynamics, operational clarity and estate planning.
AGENDAS OF VARIOUS 2024 EVENTS
Details about the Saint-Hyacinthe, Winnipeg and virtual sessions have not been fully released. Here's a list of the upcoming events for the rest of 2024 and what you can expect:
GREELY/OTTAWA
When: Nov. 27, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Where: Orchard View Wedding & Event Centre in Greely, Ontario
Featured Speakers: Heather Watson, executive director of Farm Management Canada, in "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence"; Mark Verwey, a partner in BDO LLP, on "The Business of Farming"; Krishen Rangasamy, principal economist for FCC, on "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset"; Dan Lussier, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative's director, on "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making"; and Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor, on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers."
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
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KITCHENER
When: Dec. 3, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST
Where: Bingemans Conference Centre, Kitchener, Ontario
Featured Speakers: Andrea Gal, Farm Management Canada chair, in "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence"; Mark Verwey, a partner in BDO LP, on "The Business of Farming"; Graeme Crosbie, senior economist at FCC, in "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset"; Dan Lussier, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative's director, on "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making"; and Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor, on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers."
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
**
SAINT-HYACINTHE
When: Dec. 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. EST
Where: Centre de congres de Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Featured Speakers: TBD
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
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RED DEER
When: Dec. 11, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MST
Where: Red Deer Resort & Casino, Red Deer, Alberta
Featured Speakers: Heather Watson, executive director of Farm Management Canada, in "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence"; Mark Verwey, a partner in BDO LLP, on "The Business of Farming"; Leigh Anderson, senior economist at FCC, in "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset"; Dan Lussier, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative's director, on "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making"; and Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers."
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
**
AGENDAS OF VARIOUS 2025 EVENTS
Next year, the following events will be held in Strathmore, Winnipeg, and Swift Current in person and one session is available virtually. Some agendas were not available at the time of this publishing.
STRATHMORE
When: Jan. 22, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MST
Where: Travelodge by Wyndham Strathmore, Strathmore, Alberta
Featured Speakers: Curtis Boyd, director of Farm Management Canada, in "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence"; Mark Verwey, partner in BDO LP, on "The Business of Farming"; Leigh Anderson, senior economist at FCC, in "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset"; Dan Lussier, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative's director, on "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making"; and Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers."
Link https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
**
WINNIPEG (AGENDA COMING SOON)
When: Jan. 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST
Where: Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Featured Speakers: TBD
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
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SWIFT CURRENT
When: Feb. 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST
Where: Living Sky Casino, Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Featured Speakers: Erin Cote Blaquiere, board member for Farm Management Canada, in "Taking the Lead Towards Farm Management Excellence"; Mark Verwey, a partner in BDO LP, on "The Business of Farming"; Graeme Crosbie, senior economist at FCC, in "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset"; Dan Lussier, Canadian Agri-Food Data Initiative's director, on "Agriculture Data Literacy: High Quality Data to Support Decision Making"; and Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers."
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
**
VIRTUAL (FULL AGENDA COMING SOON)
When: March 26, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT
Featured Speakers: Annessa Good-Hassard, a farmer and transition advisor, on "Transition Tactics for Emerging Young Farmers"; Mark Verwey, partner in BDO LP, on "The Business of Farming"; Leigh Anderson, senior economist at FCC, on "Navigating Economic Factors for Better Decision-Making"; and Brett Gardiner, a Canadian Pro Rodeo announcer and mental performance coach, on "The Power of a Positive Mindset."
Link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
For a general overview of the events, or to find more FCC events, visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/…
Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com
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