Calgary — Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau drew applause from delegates attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture (AWC) conference here this week as she acknowledged their efforts for paving her path into politics.
Bibeau told delegates attending the 10th annual conference she’s never felt like she’s had to fight for spot at the political table because of work done by women who have gone before her.
She said in a follow-up interview she’s amazed and inspired by the shift in agriculture that’s taken place in the four years since she took on the agriculture portfolio.
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“I’m very impressed by the next generation because they have so many opportunities (within) agriculture… With all the research and science and innovation that is being done in agriculture, they are all well-educated, they have degrees and I (look forward) to see how they see the future of agriculture,” Bibeau said.
She advised women not to wait to be asked to participate. They need to trust themselves to take on whatever challenges presented to them on the farm or within the field of agriculture.
She acknowledged it can be daunting going into meetings with only men at the table. However, she said, with more women stepping up, “there’s… no limit to the possibilities” women in agriculture can achieve.
Julia Flinton, a B.C. cattle producer and manager of the food systems program for the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (ISPARC) in that province, spoke earlier in the day about how combining one’s passion and family life can turn into a career.
Flinton said she’s heard the saying “faking it until you make it” too many times from women — and asked “Well, what are we faking?” which prompted another round of applause.
— Jessika Guse writes for Glacier FarmMedia from Calgary.
