Maple Leaf

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Maple Leaf

Proudly Canadian

Introducing the new Editor of The Western Producer

Hello, I’m Robin Booker and I’m the new Editor of The Western Producer. If you’re an avid reader of this publication, you likely recognise my name — I’ve worked as a journalist here for more than 10 years, most recently as the Farm Management Editor.

There is a good chance you don’t know anything about me besides my byline, so I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself.

I grew up near Roblin, Man., on a mixed farm a few kilometres away from my grandparents’ farm that I now own and reside at during summers. I haven’t put a crop in for a decade, but I used to run the property as a small grain farm while working as a treatment worker for a child and family service agency in Manitoba.

When I was a teenager my family moved to Provost, Alta., because my father started an oil and gas pipeline company. I worked at the company as a heavy equipment operator, and this is where I gained my affinity for big iron.

After some bitterly cold winters in the oilfield, I moved to Edmonton where I earned an honours degree in sociology from the University of Alberta. I also have a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Regina, which I picked up after I decided to wind down my work as a treatment worker.

I now live in Saskatoon with my wife and two boys, who make me consider what the next generation will face. I’m committed to help them develop a connection to the land and rural life similar to what I was given.

One of the reasons I’m so excited about this new role as Editor, is it will allow more opportunities to connect with farmers in Western Canada. If you have something on your farm or in your community you want to share with The Western Producer, let me know!

Both farming and journalism are bouncing through turbulent times as they adapt to new technologies that will change how both vocations are practiced. With the 100-year celebrations for The Western Producer happening now, I’m focused on honoring the past while providing objective news and information to people farming today.

The reporters and support staff that I work with are dedicated, serious and capable, and committed to ensuring the The Western Producer is an asset in every farm operation, for every member of your farm family. I’m honoured to work alongside them to provide you and your farm family with information and analysis that will help you be successful.

To celebrate my role as the new Editor, I will be hosting an exciting webinar series to celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Western Producer, where we asked 100 farmers, 100 questions on key topics that will inform the next 100 years of Western Canadian agriculture. I will share farmer feedback and host interactive discussions on issues that matter, not only today – and for the next 100 years. 

Want to share your opinion with us here at The Western Producer and learn what other farmers think about the big issues? Join me in The Western Producer 100th Webinar Series.

The Western Producer 100th Webinar Series

One of the best parts of my job is connecting with farmers across Western Canada. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can reach me at robin.booker@producer.com.

Working through my first winter after high school, operating a sideboom on an oil gathering system near Kindersley, Sask.
Helping out fencing at my grandparents’ farm near Bield, Man. where I now live during the summer.
I took this picture last summer before disking a few areas around the old farmyard. My two boys wanted to come along for the ride.