Young Leaders Represent Ontario By Bethany Story, BFO Communications Coordinator
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he Cattlemen’s Young Leaders (CYL) Development Program provides industry-specific training and mentorship to assist individuals, and the beef industry, in building leadership capacity across the country. This program provides opportunities to learn from industry leaders through mentorship opportunities and taking part in various events. Young industry enthusiasts between the ages of 18 and 35 years have a chance to participate in discussions at provincial, national and international levels that define the direction and future of the Canadian cattle and beef industry. This year, Ontario has three semi-finalists taking part in the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Forum being held virtually this year in August due to COVID-19. These three young producers are a part of a group of 24 semi-finalists chosen from an impressive group of 50 written applications from across Canada. Each semi-finalist is an involved member of the Ontario beef industry and will represent our province well with outstanding leadership skills and enthusiasm. BFO is proud of our semi-finalists who represent Ontario’s passionate young leaders in the beef industry. We wish them all the best in upcoming endeavours and look forward to see what the future holds for them.
Grace Kuhl – Grey County I’m a 5th generation beef farmer from Keady, Ontario. I recently graduated from the University of Guelph – Ridgetown College with an Associate Diploma in Agriculture. During my time there, I focused my studies on livestock production. In June of 2018, I developed a new skill as I graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. My passion for beef production began at a young age, being constantly exposed to my family’s livestock market operation. Along with the livestock market, we also run 120 commercial Red Simmental-influenced cows, and a backgrounding operation. Through participation in 4-H, I have had the opportunity to grow my own purebred Simmental herd. I currently sit as vicepresident of the Ontario Young Canadian Simmental Association and as a director with the Grey County Beef Farmers Association. As I continue to grow my career within the beef industry, I jump at any opportunity to expand my network and meet fellow producers, whether it be attending breed events, BFO-run programs or applying for the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program. I am extremely honoured to be chosen as a semi-finalist in the Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program and am excited to network with my fellow semi-finalists virtually in August. I hope CYL will give me the tools to continue to effectively promote the beef industry to our consumers and to help the Ontario beef industry continue to strengthen and grow as a viable industry for generations to come.
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Christopher Macfarlane – Peterborough County I had the privilege of growing up on a multigeneration, mixed family farm in Peterborough County. Beef cattle have always been an important part of the operation, and a part that I took an active interest in from a young age. My journey in agriculture has seen me attend the University of Guelph, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture Business and have an off-farm career working in crop inputs, feed sales and now grain merchandising. In addition to working with my family, my wife Katie and I have started a purebred Speckle Park herd, as well as a sheep flock on our own operation. I am currently the president of the Peterborough County Cattlemen’s Association. I am excited to have been selected as one of this year’s Cattlemen’s Young Leaders semi-finalists. Talking with several past participants has demonstrated to me how valuable this program can be for those involved, and for the industry as a whole.
Charlene Yungblut – Niagara Region I grew up on a small, commercial cowcalf operation in Thorold, Ontario, where I developed a passion for agriculture. This led me to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture from Ridgetown College. I now work full-time as an agriculture consultant, specializing in grapes and tender fruit in the Niagara Region. I continue to be involved with my family’s cattle operation and have developed a group of my own cow-calf pairs, which I plan to continue to grow over the course of the next few years. I am an active director of the Beef Farmers of Niagara, where I currently hold the secretary and treasurer positions. I am honoured to be chosen as a semi-finalist. The Cattlemen’s Young Leaders round table selections offer a great opportunity to meet others who are passionate about the future of the Canadian beef industry. I am very excited to expand my knowledge of the beef industry and to network with other young producers, as well as industry leaders from across the country. This year also marks the 10-year anniversary of the Cattlemen’s Young Leader Program which has seen more than 120 graduates since the program was founded, and many of them are from Ontario. A special video to celebrate this milestone is being presented on Tuesday, August 11 during this year’s Virtual Canadian Beef Industry Conference. This program will be highlighting the last decade of the CYL Program and creating leaders in the Canadian beef industry. To continue this history of success, we encourage young Ontario beef farmers to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the program. For more information, visit www.cattlemensyoungleaders.com. OB
