JOIN THE CONVERSATION
BY IAN DOIG • PHOTO BY STUART REECE PHOTOGRAPHY
Alberta Grains will officially launch its Young Farmers Peer Network pilot project in mid-September. The project was inspired by a farm transition research project undertaken by Selena Grutterink, a communications and stakeholder engagement specialist with the organization.
“There’s a big transition starting to take place in farming. The next generation is taking over, and our board wants to get younger farmers engaged in the commission. It’s important for the next generation to get involved at the board level with commissions, cooperatives and other types of agricultural groups.”
Grutterink will moderate the Network’s WhatsApp chat group and admits she loves to talk about farming. Having grown up on her parents’ cow-calf operation near Rimbey, she developed an interest in farm cooperatives and agriculture policy. “I just can’t imagine working in another industry,” she said.
Through the interviews she conducted for her farm transition research, she realized time commitments hold young farmers back from participation in farm organizations. “We want to make it as easy as possible to get involved. There are so many engaged, smart, innovative young farmers who want to stand up for their community at local town hall meetings, for instance. But when it comes to joining a commission, it seems like a much bigger ask. The WhatsApp group chat will give them an opportunity to tell us their thoughts, feelings, opinions and perspectives in a low-commitment way.”
Farmers from across the province in the 18- to 40-year-old range are encouraged to connect with their peers, ask questions and compare notes on daily challenges. Of course, wheat and barley will be the central focus. Grutterink will pop into the discussion with prompts on industry news and commission updates as well as to conduct polls on farm policy topics.
Grutterink hopes this casual engagement will lead participants to get more fully involved in the industry. “Maybe over time they’ll see the value in what the commission has to offer, and they’ll feel confident investing their time and becoming a delegate or director.”
To sign up for the Young Farmers Peer Network click here or contact Grutterink at sgrutterink@albertagrains.com.
Comments