It was a full house on the Agricultural Campus farm this past Friday as students, alumni and young farmers filled seats to hear from and speak with Canada鈥檚 minister of agriculture.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay hosted his first Facebook Live session from the Ruminant Animal Centre along with panelists and alumni Jolene MacEachern of the Cultiv8 Sandbox and Sam Bourgeois of Belleville Orchard. The goal: to engage young farmers and youth in agriculture.
鈥淥ur government is committed to listening to the issues that matter most to young Canadians,鈥� said MacAulay. 鈥淭he agriculture sector needs to attract young entrepreneurs from diverse areas of expertise to ensure a sustainable and competitive industry for the future.
鈥淭he Facebook Live session was a great chance to hear in-person and online the views of students and youth engaged in the agriculture sector. The input we received will help develop the policies and programs to make sure not just that the sector succeeds, but that youth can contribute to that success.鈥�
The event was broadcast live on Facebook, with questions both from those in the room and online. It was moderated by Christiane Deslauriers, director general science and technology, Branch-Coastal Ecozones Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. MP Bill Casey and Henry Vissers, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, were also in attendance. 聽
The agriculture minister, along with panelists, fielded questions and comments on a wide variety of topics including the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, supply management, and technology and innovation.
Discussing agriculture's future
鈥淚t was a very good opportunity to have our federal minister available to get his answers and comments on issues that are relevant to youth in agriculture and both the opportunities and challenges that may present themselves in the future,鈥� said recent alumnus Dan Muir. 聽
鈥淎griculture is a constantly evolving industry and appears to be trending toward more of a market that is consumer dictated. Innovation and technology will be key components of agriculture moving forward.鈥�
During the peak of the broadcast there were 150 viewers on Facebook with a total of 4,500 views, 95 comments and 76 shares.
"We have so much work still to do in the school classroom. Young people don't understand what modern agriculture is,鈥� said alumnus Jolene MacEachern and Cultiv8 Sandbox Coordinator. 聽
Dean David Gray echoed those sentiments.
鈥淲e need to continue to encourage our young people to think of viable careers in agriculture,鈥� said Dr. Gray. 鈥淎V俱乐部 is conducting the kind of leading-edge research that is changing the way we produce food in this country. Investments in agricultural research that impact our fields and barns are critically important.鈥�
To view the broadcast, .