Minister of agriculture and agri-food Marie-Claude Bibeau shared the names of the 25 youth who form the new Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, which includes three Saskatchewan representatives.
The council includes members from all provinces and the North, representing a number of subsectors across the agriculture and agri-food industry including organic farming, animal science, environmental science, veterinary medicine, food stability, and more.
Members also represent a mix of multigenerational and first-generation experiences, as well as rural and urban experiences.
Acting as a consultative body to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, members on the new youth council will offer insights from their respective fields of experience and help prioritize issues and identify problems in the agricultural industry.
Over 800 applications were submitted, with the selection process considering each candidate’s experience within the sector and proposed solution to a significant issue facing youth in the sector today.
From Saskatchewan, representatives include Andrea De Roo, an agronomist with South Country Equipment; Sameeha Jhetam, a Masters of Animal Science candidate studying poultry at the University of Saskatchewan; and Brent Kobes, a policy intern at the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.
De Roo and Kobe both cited their background growing up as part of multigeneration farming operations as assets, in addition to education in their respective agricultural sectors. For Jhetam, her experience in the research and science sector of the industry is her strength.
Developing the youth council is meant as an opportunity for young members of the sector, aged 15 to 30 years old, to share their voices and build professional relationships, while also offering a diversified perspective for policies in the industry moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to virtually meeting the members of the first-ever Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. Each of these young leaders will bring a unique experience and perspective to the table. Together, the members will help shape the future of Canada’s sustainable agricultural industry,” said Bibeau, in a press release.
The first meeting of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council will take place in August, and the new council will continue to meet regularly throughout the year.
For information about all 25 members of the new council, visit the Government of Canada's website here.
