The Extensionists

Being a farmer can easily become your identity, but what happens when that identity is threatened? In next week’s episode we speak with “The Recovering Farmer” Gerry Friesen about mental health. Thank you to our episode sponsor Alberta Canola #cdnag theextensionists.com

Could we be exporting more agricultural products to Europe? Meaghan Seagrave thinks so, but not without some behavioral changes. Listen to learn more about the export opportunities there are #cdnag www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnXp...

Are there opportunities for more land to be farmed in Canada? According to Meaghan Seagrave, there are. Listen to today’s episode to learn more about how climate change could be a positive for Canadian ag in some ways #cdnag www.youtube.com/watch?v=74UE...

What kind of opportunities are there for Canadian ag? Meaghan Seagrave says Canadian ag is sitting on a wealth of untapped potential. We’ve got to do a better job of commercializing our crops, for starters. Listen next week to learn more #cdnag theextensionists.com

Why is it important for researchers and growers to work together? Listen to learn more about how Rupp Carriveau is working to support growers in the southern Ontario greenhouse industry #ontag www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebI5...

How risky is farming? Can one mistake bring down your whole business? Rupp Carriveau shares how imperative it is to get things right in the greenhouse industry. Listen to today’s episode to learn more #ontag www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hsb...

Nobody likes to be talked down to or told you need to do this. People are more likely to shut down and get defensive instead of taking the time to listen. Listen to our latest episode to learn more about how Jolanda Jansen asks questions to get a point across #ag www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SXa...

Why is it that ag policy can fall flat in relation to the realities of farming? For Jolanda Jenson, she says policymakers need to stop being so vague. Listen to today’s episode to learn more #agpolicy www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCEZ...

How can ag policymakers better connect with farmers? People may hear and understand the stats, but there are deeper motivations on why they make the choices they do, Jolanda Jansen shares in our season premier next week #agcommunications theextensionists.com

Toban Dyck and Ashley Robinson with The Extensionists

Thanks again, and thanks to the Season 1 production team: Ashley Robinson, Abby Wall, Ryan Santschi! We’re proud of what we’ve started. Season 2 is going to be amazing! We just know it. Stay tuned!

The Extensionists team including Toban Dyck, Jay Whetter and Ashley Robinson

Thanks to our listeners, guests, sponsors, and the broader ag community! Your commitment to enhancing extension in Canada has made this podcast possible. We love what we do and we don’t take your support for granted!

Jay Whetter and Toban Dyck accept an award at the CFWF conference

We’re thrilled to share that The Extensionists podcast won an award at this year’s Canadian Farm Writers Federation Conference! #cdnag

How can a producer organization connect with growers (farmers) to find out what their research should be focused on? At the P.E.I. Potato Board, @rbarrettpei.bsky.social‬ works with growers to learn exactly what they want when it comes to research #PEIpotatoes www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt24...

Potatoes are what drives the economy on P.E.I. and is the history of the Island. They have been a key player for centuries. Listen to the latest episode with @rbarrettpei.bsky.social‬ to learn more about the intriguing world of potatoes and P.E.I. #PEIpotatoes www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt24...

How do you mix agronomy and extension? For @rbarrettpei.bsky.social, with the P.E.I. PotatoBoard, his work is all about doing research that matters and then finding the best ways to teach growers about it. Listen next week to learn more #PEIag theextensionists.com

Why is data collection important on the farm? John Burns has spent years compiling data in order to improve his operation and make the growing season easier. Thank you to our episode sponsor @SaskOilseeds #saskag www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzHg...

Is it worthwhile to spend time away from the family farm? According to John Burns with Windy Poplars Farms, it is. Thank you to our episode sponsor SaskOilseeds #saskag www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCkQ...

John Burns found himself repeatedly using his chemistry background over his decades as a farmer. Listen next week to learn more. Thank you to our episode sponsor SaskOilseeds #saskag theextensionists.com

How do you handle an emergency situation as it unfolds? Jenelle Hamblin has some ideas. In 2011, when the Manitoba flood happened, she was in charge of helping livestock farmers respond to the emergency as it developed #mbag www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tE8...

Would you rather clean a pig pen or work at a desk? Jenelle Hamblin thinks some days mucking out a stall may be a nice change of pace. Listen to learn about how Jenelle’s childhood on a cattle ranch shaped her career in the beef and swine worlds #mbag www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tE8...

How do you get the correct information out to producers, if there’s a disease outbreak or natural disaster? In next week’s episode, Manitoba Pork's Jenelle Hamblin shares how to deal with an emergency in the livestock world #mbag theextensionists.com

Are Canadian research farms ahead of curve for growing new crops? According to Scott Day, his experiences testing various crops at WADO in Melita, MB are serving him well in the Silicon Valley. Thanks to our episode sponsor Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers #westcdnag www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9XW...

Is ag a common language that can bring people together? Fall Line Capital’s Scott Day believes so. Ag helped take him to Silicon Valley working with farmland real estate investments and ag tech. Listen to learn more. Thank you to our episode sponsor MPSG www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wj_...

How did a Manitoba farm boy end up in Silicon Valley? On next week’s episode, we hear how Fall Line Capital's Scott Day began working with farms and innovators from across North America. Listen on May 13 to learn more. Thank you to our episode sponsor MPSG #agtech theextensionists.com

What is the real impact of working with social media influencers in ag? Through a livestream with some of the top UK ag influencers, Mark Campbell and the team at AHDB were able to connect with farmers they hadn’t before www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebI5...

Is there a way to make the HR side of running a farm exciting? On today’s episode of The Extensionists, Mark Campbell shares how he’s working to make being a leader and managing your staff fun #agleaders www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5e...

How can you support the next generation of farm leaders? In next week’s episode Mark Campbell talks about the ag leadership program he runs the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) & his childhood obsession with cows. Listen on April 29 to learn more #agleaders theextensionists.com

How can more women thrive in the male dominated world of ag tech? In this week’s episode, Alison Sunstrum, shares some takeaways away from a women in ag tech breakfast she recently attended www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFnz...

On today’s episode of The Extensionists, Alison Sunstrum gets existential and shares how technology has shaped the identity of today’s farmer and created more opportunities for women to work in ag #cdnag #agtech www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFnz...

Podcast guest announcement for Alison Sunstrum

What does it take to be successful in the world of ag tech? In next week’s episode Alison Sunstrum shares her ag tech experience and how she’s mentoring a whole new crop of leaders and innovators. Listen on April 15 to learn more #agtech theextensionists.com