The Wheat Growers Association is calling for a shift in how young farmers are engaged across the agriculture sector, urging organizations to move beyond symbolic inclusion and toward meaningful participation.
In a new perspective from Treasurer Kaitlyn Kitzan, the organization highlights a growing disconnect between how engagement is discussed and how it is practiced.
“We need to engage young farmers is something we hear often in agriculture, but too often it’s treated like a checkbox,” said Kitzan. “That’s not engagement. That’s optics.”
Kitzan notes that young farmers are already operating as business owners, managing risk, adopting new technologies, and making long-term decisions that will shape Canadian agriculture. She emphasizes that meaningful engagement must reflect that reality.
“Real engagement means listening more than talking, creating learning opportunities instead of selling ideas, and offering the chance to influence decisions,” she said.
The organization points to practical examples of effective engagement, including the Saskatchewan Young Ag Conference, where approximately 80 young producers participated in open discussions focused on connection and shared learning rather than promotion.
“That environment created real value,” said Kitzan. “No selling, just conversation and connection. That’s what keeps people engaged.”
Kitzan also shared her own experience joining the Wheat Growers as a Director at age 21, emphasizing the impact of being included in genuine decision-making processes early in her career.
Building on that approach, the Wheat Growers Young Farmer Mentorship Program is now accepting applications. The program is designed to support leadership development, industry understanding, and meaningful participation, helping young farmers transition from involvement to influence.
Programs across the sector, including initiatives like Outstanding Young Farmers, further reinforce the importance of recognizing and elevating leadership among the next generation.
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