Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) celebrated Canada's Ag Day by unveiling a diverse group of industry leaders for the first-ever "Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture" campaign.
In late 2020, CWA and FCC teamed up to launch the search for the Top 50 most influential leaders in Canadian agriculture. The nomination-based campaign ran coast-to-coast and consisted of five unique categories:
Mentors
Upstarts
Innovators
Deal Makers
Designated Hitters
After several weeks of nominations, a panel of judges, including Kim McConnell, Mary Robinson, Rory McAlpine, and Claude Lafleur, were put to the test of selecting 10 finalists in each category. The finalists unveiled Tuesday come from all over Canada, working in almost every sector of agriculture.
"There is no better way to celebrate Canada's Ag Day than to recognize the diversity of people, sectors, and ideas that make Canadian agriculture what it is today, "says CWA CEO Chris Lane.
"These finalists represent some of the best in an industry that continues to create endless opportunities to dream, grow, and thrive. It's certainly something to celebrate as part of Canada's Ag Day," says Todd Klink, chief marketing officer for Farm Credit Canada.
Complete list of Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture winners:
Upstarts, presented by Masterfeeds
Sandi Brock - West Perth, ON
Shaun Haney - Lethbridge, AB
Jill Harvie - Olds, AB
Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel - Mossbank, SK
Kim Keller - Melfort, SK
Brett McRae - Brandon, MB
Todd Ormann - Olds, AB
Jess Verstappen - High Prairie, AB
Alex Villeneuve - Olds, AB
Charlotte Wasylik - Vermilion, AB
Mentors, presented by Young's Equipment
Scott Exner - Calgary, AB
William Greuel - Regina, SK
Stephen Hughes - Longview, AB
Peter Johnson - Ingersoll, ON
Alanna Koch - Edenwold, SK
Tim Lambert - Ottawa, ON
John Phillips - Arlington, PEI
Jeff Reid - Kanata, ON
Robert Saik - Olds, AB
Anne Wasko - Eastend, SK
Innovators, presented by CN
Joy Agnew - Olds, AB
Wade Barnes - Winnipeg, MB
Chantelle Donahue - Biggar, SK
Viren D'Souza - Peterborough, ON
Jean-Martin Fortier - Saint-Armand, QC
Matt Hughes - Kelly's Cross, PEI
Myles Immerkar - Rocky View County, AB
Kee Jim - Okotoks, AB
Brian Olson - Fort Qu'Appelle, SK
Maggie Van Camp - Blackstock, ON
Deal Makers, presented by Ritchie Bros.
Murad Al-Katib - Regina, SK
Terry Curley - Norboro, PEI
Jeffrey Fitzpatrick-Stilwell - Toronto, ON
Dennis Laycraft - Calgary, AB
Sebastian Léveillé - Montreal, QC
Garth MacDonald - Kindersley, SK
Bob Mazer - Brandon, MB
Mike Medeiros - Osgoode, ON
Ray Price - Acme, AB
Jean-Marc Ruest - Winnipeg, MB
Designated Hitters, presented by Viterra
Gordon Bacon - Winnipeg, MB
Shannon Benner - Perth, ON
Marc Bieler - Saint-Louis-de-Blandford, QC
Robert Black - Ottawa, ON
Cyr Couturier - St. Johns, NL
Jean Fontaine - Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Stephanie Hamelin - Montreal, QC
Pierre Lampron - Saint-Boniface, QC
Marty Seymour - White City, SK
Alison Sunstrum - Airdrie, AB
All Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture winners will be featured in a magazine that will be distributed by CWA and will be celebrated at CWA's 50th show in November 2021.
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