Feeding Your Future

5 days ago

Check out the Ontario Agriculture Worker Safety & Awareness Certificate for new farm workers! ow.ly/X54950Eh17W

Registrants have been very happy with the practical knowledge shared in this program for any new workers or for those that need a refresher course ⬇️ ... See MoreSee Less

Feeding Your Future

1 week ago

"I am always amazed where agriculture can fit into a conversation, and how being open to understanding agriculture can lead you to a job in a variety of different fields."

Meet the next #FeatureYourFuture candidate, Claire Coombs, originally from Kanata Ontario!

Claire grew up in the suburbs of Ottawa with her family, having very little connection to agriculture. She now works as an instructor at Algonquin College - Perth Campus for the Business-Agriculture Program and thus far, Claire has developed four courses for the program and teaches agronomy-based courses.

Claire earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Waterloo and also decided to pursue her Masters in Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. Her interest in the environment was the first link to her integration into the agriculture sector, although this was a slow transition.

After graduating from Waterloo, she got a job working for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), collecting data by scouting berry fields for insects. This position taught Claire a lot she didn't know about Ontario agriculture along with the variety of skills and knowledge needed to work in the industry. This summer position also influenced her decision to study nutrient management during her Masters. Her research project was based at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, where she was thrown into the world of agriculture. Claire was blown away by the passion the people around her had surrounding agriculture.

Since Claire was young, she wanted to be a teacher but never imagined that would lead to teaching agriculture. She couldn't be more proud of her students though, and is excited about the variety of career opportunities they have with a diploma in agriculture. Claire makes an active effort to engage with people that are not directly involved in the industry and enjoys sharing her newfound perspective on the world of agriculture.
#FeedYourFuture ... See MoreSee Less

Feeding Your Future

4 weeks ago

Celebrate #AgSafetyWeek until Saturday March 20 to raise awareness of keeping the agri-workplace safe! Proper training is necessary to ensure all workers avoid life-changing accidents.

Visit the #FeedYourFuture website to access the safety & awareness training certificate to educate new workers on risks and hazards in the workplace: ow.ly/hmMm50E0kvS ... See MoreSee Less

Feeding Your Future

1 month ago

Are you finishing up your post-secondary school year and in need of a job?

Register for the #FeedYourFuture career fair TOMORROW from 10am - 2pm to get connected with agri-food employers! ow.ly/QqWB50DVACi ... See MoreSee Less

Feeding Your Future

1 month ago

The next #FeedYourFuture virtual career fair is only 3 days away!

Register to attend on Thursday March 11 from 10 am - 2 pm, hosted by @AgCareers & @CareersInFood. Get connected with an employer or job seekers to fill a role in the agri-food sector🔬🌱💻 ow.ly/42MY50DTq8S ... See MoreSee Less

Feeding Your Future

1 month ago

"Farmers are the jack of all trades as problem solvers, accountants, vets, stewards of the land, animal welfare advocates and technology users."

This week's #FeatureYourFuture Sarah van Leeuwen originally from Hamilton, Ontario!

Growing up in the suburbs of Hamilton, Sarah had little to influence her growing interest in agriculture, yet it was still a passion she chose to pursue. Her parents both lived on farms when they were kids but moved at a young age so agriculture was not a big part of Sarah's childhood. Against all odds, Sarah has been farming with her husband in Chatham-Kent, raising pigs and growing cash crops since 2012 🐖🌽

Even though she grew up in an urban area, Sarah was drawn to working with dairy cattle. As a kid, she loved animals and wanted to be a vet. She started gaining experience on her best friend's family dairy farm where she found a passion for working with these large animals, dreaming of running her own dairy operation.

When Sarah was in high school, she also had a co-op placement on a dairy farm where she could build experience and gain confidence in her interests. Through this program, she interacted with many rural classmates and she learned about the Associate Diploma in Agriculture at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus.

Sarah's parents were always very supportive of her interest in agriculture but were skeptical about the number of job opportunities. Their skepticism faded as Sarah gained work experience in a variety of places over the years, employed in the campus' dairy barn, pig barn and also working for Dow Agroscience.

She never pictured herself to be where she is now even though it was always part of her plan to work in agriculture. She is grateful for the number of opportunities that have allowed her to gain confidence in branching out, as she is now an active member of four different committees. Sarah is grateful to raise her family in a community where everybody is your neighbour. ... See MoreSee Less