Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees Donna Edwards (2017), Alanna Koch (2011) and Carol Teichrob (2012) are strong agricultural leaders.
Edwards has benefitted agriculture and rural living as a seed grower, business woman and community advocate. She continues to work with her husband on their 5,000 acre grain farm, cleaning plant, and cattle operation as well as gardening.
Originally owned by the Beeler family, (Donna’s dad and family) in 1906, this fourth generation farm will eventually be taken over by interested sons and a grandson.
Edwards said if she retired completely, she wouldn’t know what to do.
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“You have to have a purpose in life, to get up and do something every day.”
She remains active in the local agriculture society.
Alanna Koch worked for several years as deputy minister of agriculture, and she went on to become one of the longest serving agriculture deputy ministers in Saskatchewan and Canadian history.
Koch has returned to farming and remains active in the industry, serving on industry boards and consulting.
Recently, Koch was named to Canadian Western Agribition’s Top 50 in Canadian Agriculture (mentor category).
Like Edwards, Koch can’t imagine not working, but she respects that work-life balance is important.
Carol Teichrob was involved in the feather industry, serving on industry boards and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
She served as reeve of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park. Elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in 1991, Teichrob held a number of portfolios including minister of education, municipal affairs, culture and housing.
The Teichrobs moved to British Columbia in 2013 where they own and operate a commercial saskatoon berry operation with their daughter and her family. The 14-acre orchard hosts a U-pick operation and retail outlet selling various saskatoon berry products. Although no longer involved in industry boards and organizations, Carol continues to farm.
All three inductees said their farm-based childhoods prepared them well for the responsibilities they have undertaken as adults.
All three agree that women can do anything they want if they get out and do it.
“Be present wherever you are, be present with your life, your family and your work. Be open to all, be positive and be kind to yourself,” Koch said.
Edwards said sustainability is key to the future of agriculture and increased knowledge and technology will continue to bring about strides in effectiveness and efficiencies in farming.
Teichrob said she hopes the future includes better marketing and processing so farmers have a comfortable place in agriculture.
Linda Braun is a Saskatoon freelance writer with an extensive background in the region’s agriculture and food.
