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AgScape rings in 30 years at 2021 AGM

Earlier this month, AgScape completed its second-ever entirely virtual AGM, with the theme of “Thriving in a Changing World.” More than 100 people registered to attend both sessions. To mark both the AGM and AgScape’s 30-year anniversary as an organization, staff, members and key supporters were joined by Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Hardeman kicked off the business portion of the meeting by announcing a $400,000 investment from the provincial government to AgScape.

“Now more than ever, Ontario youth need to know how their food is grown and made,” Hardeman said at the meeting. “Ontario students need to know about the dynamic career opportunities that exist in Ontario’s Agri-food sector. Providing 860,000 jobs across the Province, Ontario Agri-food sector is growing and developing all the time. We need our youths of today to be the leaders of this important sector tomorrow.”

Also present was senator Rob Black, who congratulated AgScape on 30 years and thanked the group for its commitment to “enhancing the visibility of agriculture in the eyes of young Ontarians.”

During the election portion of the AGM, Meagan Cameron of Sygnenta and Karen Lewis of Synthesis were elected to corporate seats. Jennifer Kyle and Jennifer Peart, were elected to community seats. Kathryn Doan will return as chair, Kyle as vice-chair and Peart as treasurer.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to share, connect, and engage with today’s students, who are tomorrow’s consumers and influencers,” said Doan in a statement. “I’m proud of AgScape’s adaptability to meet the changing needs of our agriculture and food education program delivery. In my professional career, I see first-hand the need for educated, skilled, and motivated people to work in the agriculture and food sector today and in the future.”

Highlights for the year from AgScape included:

• More than 400,000 Ontario students reached with programming and resources;
• 760 individual schools across Ontario reached; and
• 365 teacher ambassador program lessons delivered to more than 9,000 students.