She raises crops and cattle with her husband, Dave, in Elgin County
As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Farms.com is asking women in ag about what they’d tell their younger selves about being a farmer, to give a piece of advice to young women entering the ag sector, and to highlight a woman in agriculture they consider a mentor or inspiration.
Angela Cammaert raises cattle and crops with her husband Dave, and their two children in Elgin County, Ont.
Cammaert grew up on a livestock operation but didn’t initially show an interest in ag.
“I was more into sporting activities, and it was a chore for my parents to get me into the barn,” she told Farms.com. “But we still had to do it because living on a farm comes with farm life. Looking back, I’d tell myself to pay more attention to the mechanical and animal welfare side of farming.”
Cammaert is experiencing some of the same conversations she received from her parents.
Her son, she says, is into every aspect of the farm operation, while her daughter is starting to come around now that she’s a little bit older.
“She wants to show cattle, and she’s financially minded now and is starting to see the benefits of it,” she said.
In November 2023, Cammaert was elected to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s board as a Director-at-Large.
In that role, she meets multiple people in the ag industry.
And it’s that community she’s able to lean on when she needs it.
“I am incredibly grateful that I have so many women I can contact within the OFA community and outside of the organization,” she said. “I can reach out to someone, and within a few hours I can have a great suggestion. That’s what makes agriculture so great, is everyone is there to support one another.”
And finding a mentor is a piece of advice Cammert has for young people looking to begin their careers.
It’s understandable not to have every answer, but reaching out to someone who can help may lead to the desired result.
“Don’t be afraid to look at agriculture and to find someone in the industry who understands where you are or where you’ve been,” she said. “And if that person can’t help you, then they’ll likely be able to put you in touch with 10 other people who can.”
So far, Farms.com has also spoken with Erika Stewart, a rancher from Morse, Sask., and Shannon Douglass, the first female president of the California Farm Bureau.
Be sure to check Farms.com often this week for additional profiles leading up to International Women’s Day.