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The Food Issue
2017
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greatest numbers are managers and owner/operators because
existing owners will be retiring over the next 10 years.”
OLD INDUSTRY, NEWBLOOD
At 24 years of age, Rosie Templeton is part of the younger
generation that is beginning to address the labour gap, both
on-farm and off. Raised in a ranching family, she found a way to
combine her passions for ranching and writing and marketing
by becoming a public relations strategist with AdFarm, an
advertising agency that specializes in agriculture.
“I live in the city, but I still feel like I’m working with and for
farmers every day,” she said.
From her vantage point in an ad agency, Templeton interacts
with clients from all different facets of the agriculture industry,
including farmer organizations, fertilizer and seed companies,
farm equipment dealers, animal health projects and even rural
Internet providers.
“On any given day, I might work with five different clients who
all came from a different path into agriculture,” said Templeton.
“You get an inside look at a hundred different types of careers,
companies and individuals within the industry that you may end
up working with in the future. It is a fascinating example of how
diverse the industry is.”
It’s a five-and-a-half-hour commute back to the ranch from her
home in the city, but Templeton still plays an active role in the
family business.
“There are three girls in the family—my oldest sister is a
veterinarian, I do the communications work and the other one is
the active, full-time rancher,” she said. “We all have something
to contribute.”
Looking ahead, Templeton echoed the sentiments heard time
and again from the people who make their living in different
ways in the agriculture industry. “There is an endless amount of
opportunity in agriculture. It’s constantly changing, constantly
adapting,” she said. “Other industries come and go, but
agriculture is here to stay.”
COME FOR THE JOB, STAY FOR THE…
People
“For me, what is special is the community that is generated
by the agriculture industry.”
– Debra Hauer, Canadian Agricultural Human Resource
Council project manager
Opportunity to grow
“Agriculture is an industry that is very invested in its
people. There are so many different training programs and
professional development programs you can pursue. It’s an
industry that’s always about innovation and improvement,
and is always about its people.”
– Becky Parker, agriculture educator and Nuffield
Canada scholar
Attitude
“I didn’t plan to stay in a company for as long as I did, but
there was so much engagement and excitement going on
that it was hard to leave.”
– Lane Stockbrugger, farmer, on his delayed return
to farming
Connection
“We sometimes forget why what we’re doing matters
when we’re sitting behind a desk, but I am able to connect
through the client. I can appreciate that because we are
supporting their business, they can create more innovation
to make the farmer’s life easier, and increase the profitability
on their farm. It’s about making a positive contribution to
the industry you care about.”
– Rosie Templeton, AdFarm public relations strategist
Imagecourtesyof Vecteezy