Three women who became leaders in agriculture say willingness to try something new helped elevate them in their fields
The essence of leadership for women often means having the nerve to step forward and say, “I can do that.”
Three agriculture leaders talked about the challenge of rising to the top and all agreed a dose of confidence and willingness to try something new elevated them in their fields.
“For some reason we were told as small girls that we were to act differently than men,” said Dawn Betancourt, president of the grain marketing and agronomic company Thompsons Limited of Blenheim, Ont.
She described her rise to the top at the recent Advancing Women in Agriculture conference held in Calgary.
Read Also
AgriStability updates offer stronger support for farmers
One of the most significant updates to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year is the increase in the compensation rate.
Her parents encouraged her to be independent, strong and have the energy to do things differently. She encourages her own daughter the same way.
“When somebody works really hard, what society doesn’t do well is recognize men and women when they do a good job,” she said.
Jennifer Wood, board chair of Agriculture Financial Services Corp., is working on her fifth career. An original member of the CBC program Dragons Den, she has been a bush pilot, cattle buyer, cattle feeder, rancher and founder of a cattle finance program and online livestock auction.
She thought less about being a female order buyer and more about working hard to achieve her goals.
“It is hard work and it is determination and it is knowing that if it is something that really means something to me and means that is what I want to do, then just go do it,” she said.
While being a woman in a man’s world may have turned some heads, these women proved they knew what they were doing, whether they were buying livestock, grain or leading a farm organization.
“You better be good, you better be smart and you better know what you are talking about and that is the case for men or women,” said Betancourt.
Allison Ammeter of Sylvan Lake, Alta., is chair of Pulse Canada. She became involved with commodity groups when her children became more independent and she wanted to contribute to agriculture.
“My experience has always been, ‘why not?’ I have not run into those male roadblocks that say you can’t do that,” she said.
She was not afraid to ask questions about the function of commissions and different aspects of farm policy. She was also willing to take on new tasks.
“If someone else shows confidence in you and it is not something you detest, they will help you out,” she said.
She has testified before the federal agriculture committee about grain transportation. She has travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, and met farmers from around the world to talk about pulses. She learned to drive a combine.
She also encourages others to get involved.
“As an individual farmer you can make a difference,” she said.
“Say, yes. Leave that comfort zone in the dust. It is not doing you any good anyway. Say yes.…”
“If you are interested, step up, the rewards are amazing and you get to move the dial ahead in the industry you love.”
