Tell us a bit about yourself and your role in the agriculture industry in Nova Scotia.
I obtained my B.Sc (Agr) from MacDonald Campus, McGill in 1994 and my M.Sc (Env Bio) from U of Guelph in 1997. After a year of working in research with U of Guelph, I moved back home to PEI to take on the role of Integrated Pest Management Specialist with the PEI Dept of Agriculture. It was through this role that I quickly realized how much I loved front line extension work and being out on farm, helping to solve production issues and participating in research. In 2008, I relocated to Nova Scotia and worked with Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture in an Ag Leadership Coordinator Role in Eastern Region before moving back into extension with Perennia as a Horticulture Specialist. From 2010 to 2019, I was lucky to be able to work with and get to know many vegetable, greenhouse, cranberry, grape and haskap producers all across Nova Scotia. In 2019, I transitioned into my current role as Director of Regional Services with Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. While I do miss front line extension work, I am happy to be working with staff who are out on farm regularly and stay connected by working closely with the NSFA, Perennia and Industry on issues that directly affect Nova Scotia Agriculture.
What is one message you would like to share about women in agriculture for International Women’s Day?
When I started out in Agriculture I was often one of the few women in the room at meetings and conferences, I’m encouraged to see the number of women working in various agriculture careers and in leadership roles on farm steadily increase over the last 25+ years. I was very lucky to have some great female mentors early on in my career who taught me that diverse voices make our industry stronger.