For the final seminar of AALP Class 20, this diverse group of farmers and agriculture professionals gathered in Kitchener-Waterloo to reflect on our past year and a half together, while preparing for the future. The seminar was once again designed to expose participants to the full scope of our agricultural system, while also reflecting on our personal growth during this leadership experience.
On the first evening, Class 20, invited guests, and community members gathered for a reception and leadership lecture led by certified facilitator and coach, Rebecca Sutherns. Dr. Sutherns’ presentation emphasized imaginative leadership and how it impacts communication, self-awareness, and decision-making—skills as essential on the farm as they are in the boardroom.
For our final tour day, we began at the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority, where we guided through the behind-the-scenes logistics that keep our agriculture exports moving. From container management to shipping timelines, the tour underscored just how connected rural production is to the urban, and global, economy.
We then joined Ontario Federation of Agriculture Chair, and AALP Class 13 Alumni Drew Spoelstra to celebrate the opening of his newly constructed dairy barn. Designed with both cow comfort and labor efficiency in mind, the facility showed how thoughtful infrastructure can improve both animal welfare and farm viability. Seeing robotic milkers in action highlighted the innovative practices that farmers continue to implement on their farms.
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