My family and I have lived on an acreage near Niverville, Manitoba since 2000 where we raise miniature donkeys. Prior to that, my wife and I had operated a dairy farm near St. Malo, Manitoba from 1986 to 1992, followed by a wild boar enterprise. Before farming, I had been employed in senior sales/marketing positions with Alberta Wheat Pool and May & Baker Canada in both Calgary and Winnipeg.

I hold a degree in agricultural business management from the University of Manitoba. In 2000, I gained the internationally recognized professional designation – Certified Management Consultant.

I am a principal in Kelwin Management Consulting. We assist businesses to make strategic decisions about the future growth of their businesses to improve their competitive position and profitability. Additionally, I have expertise in governance practices and have assisted a number of boards of directors to improve their governance processes. 
I welcome the opportunity to join the Canadian Farm Business Management board because I believe I could add a fresh perspective to an already highly effective organization. My educational background and career experience have given me a solid grounding in business on both sides of the farm gate.

I have served as board chair or finance and audit committee chair of several boards of professional associations, cooperatives, the Manitoba Food Processors, and Manitoba credit unions. While on the credit union boards I took several Director Education courses.

I believe that my extensive experience as a member of many not-for-profit boards of directors and advisory boards at the local, provincial and national level could assist the CFBMC board in its deliberations. I am ready and willing to serve the members of the CFBMC and I welcome the opportunity to bring my fresh perspective to the organization’s continued success.

Lyndon Beswitherick(42 years), along with his wife, Laurelly and their three girls (ages nine, seven, and four), farm south of Austin, MB in the south-central region of Manitoba.  Lyndon and Laurelly were named the 2003 Manitoba Outstanding Young Farmers, allowing them to compete at the national competition where many friendships were made with other young farmers from across Canada.  Lyndon is now active on the board of the MB OYF.  Lyndon is involved as a regional rep for a Manitoba producer-driven beef co-op, as well as being part of the marketing team of the organization.  He is very involved in his church and running his girls around to their different extra-curricular activities when Laurelly is busy with their newest venture--Bison Boutique Flower & Gift--in the nearby town of MacGregor, MB.

B2 Cattle Co. consists of three enterprises--a cow/calf operation, a back grounding feedlot, and a grain operation.  Lyndon also has first-hand knowledge of the supply-managed ag industry, having been in a partnership with his parents on the family dairy for 15 years.  Lyndon firmly believes in the ability that these different enterprises work together to complement each other and make each enterprise profitable.  Having tried many different varieties of crops, and many different breeds of cattle, Lyndon now focuses on increasing the most profitable crops and types of cattle by using various cropping methods and feeding regiments to decrease the input costs of each enterprise.  Lyndon feels very strongly that management will make or break any business, including the business of farming.  Lyndon’s goal with farming as a whole is that each enterprise, for all farmers, may be exclusively profitable, not relying on the downturn of markets for another sector in order to make another commodity succeed.  The ability to take advantage of the aids and helps offered to the producer, such as the Environmental Farm Plan, is something that Lyndon feels very strongly about.  If we can continue to increase the profitability of agriculture while increasing the sustainability of agriculture, then there are only happier times ahead.  It can be done, it has to be done.

John has been involved in Agriculture throughout his career.  Upon completion of an undergraduate degree in Agriculture, John began working as a financial advisor to farmers through the federal government.  In 1990 he purchased a grain farm in Leask, Saskatchewan and in 2001 was named Saskatchewan’s Outstanding young farmer, and later that year was recognized as one Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers, for achievements made in his farming career.  From 2002 to 2007 John was a co-owner and consulting director of a fertilizer and fuel distributorship in Northern Saskatchewan.  John’s international experience began in 2000 when he was chosen as one of a select group of agriculturalists to take advanced training in North and South America.  In 2006 he began working as a management and agronomic consultant in Kazakhstan.  John has just returned from living in South America on a 2 year sabbatical from farming, (just in time for seeding).

In times of extreme price volatility, market consolidation and changing demographics, the issues that affect the farming operations of today are far more complicated than we foresaw even 10 years ago.  Farm/business management is the key to ensuring healthy enterprises that are sustainable into the future.  Regardless of the size of the farm, management is becoming more complex, thus it is necessary to ensure that there are opportunities for farmers to continually learn and master the appropriate skills, skills which can positively influence their financial performance individually and sustainability of the industry in general.  It has always been important to me that we as farmers and “Agri-preneurs” have access to quality learning opportunities and I hope to continue working towards this goal with the Farm Business Management Council and its many partners.

I’m Donald Daigle, present chairman for CFBMC.  I’m just completing my 1st term as board member.  I’m from Acadieville, NB, a small rural community of approximately 500 people.  I’ve been married to Viola for 25 years; we have 5 children ranging from 13 to 24.  Our farm, Acadieville Gardens Inc. is a 1st generation farm.  The last few years, we’ve been farming approximately 350 acres: 250 acres of grain and hay as rotation crops and 100 acres of vegetables; mostly processing carrots; the rest in other vegetables that we sell at farm gate and through direct marketing.  We also have a 335 acre woodlot in which I do forest management during the winter months.  I’m also actively involved in my community, with different groups.

I believe in farm business management because it’s the essence of success.

I’ve been very much involved in the management of the Really Local Harvest Co-op, which consists of approximately 30 farmers that specialize in direct marketing, through u-picks, roadside stands, farmers markets, and also through commercial accounts.  Because of good farm management, determination and working together towards common goals, our co-op has been very successful in this very challenging industry.  As a group, we create over 400 jobs and manage assets in the six digits.  We’re presently in the process of expanding throughout the province of NB.  We’re often called upon to go to different provinces to promote our co-op’s model and management success. 

Farm management consists of all the farm decisions that you make throughout the years.  Good managers have a plan and measurable goals.

My involvement with the CFBMC in the last two years has given me the opportunity to help promote good farm management throughout Canada.

Linda Jabs and her husband Denis have owned and operated Cakadu Heritage Lamb for 15 years, direct marketing their lamb meat products.  They raise a rare breed of hair sheep and have adapted their management practices to raise the sheep as stress free as possible.  As part of Slow Food International, they have been to Turin, Italy to take part in Terra Madre, bringing them in contact with local producers/processors and chefs from around the world.

Linda is also a graduate of the Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership program and gained a solid understanding of farm management practices and processes from a regional, national and international perspective.

Currently, Linda is responsible for Agri-Business Continuing Education at Olds College and works to bring several distance programs to the part-time learner.  For the past 12 years Linda has done consulting work in agri-business management.

There are as many farm business management styles as there are producers and I feel that with the proper tools to enable success, all producers can succeed at their particular business enterprise.  I strongly believe in the power of networking and creating partnerships that will assist in helping producers to achieve their goals.  Over the years, risks have changed, sometimes at a rapid pace and producers need to have up-to-date tools and processes to help them assess the risks and make informed choices that will help to minimize those risks and create opportunities.

I have always believed in the grassroots of agriculture and understand that for agriculture and agri-business in Canada to move forward, producers need to have tools that will help them achieve success.  With each successful producer, agriculture in Canada succeeds.

Mike Pylypchuk was born and raised on a small mixed farming operation in northwest Saskatchewan. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, majoring in Agriculture Economics.

Upon graduating from University, Mike was employed in the agricultural lending field for six years and with the Saskatchewan government for twenty seven years. He is currently the co-ordinator of business management services with the Agri-Business Development Branch of Saskatchewan Agriculture, in Regina.

Most of his work with government has been in the farm management area. Some of his accomplishments include the development of the Farming to Win program - a goal-directed farm management program for farm managers. He also worked with Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan in the development of a financial and retirement (estate) planning computer software programs. Other specialty areas of work included farm business arrangements, estate planning and taxation. As the production economist, he prepared information on the costs of production for grains, oilseeds, specialty crops, livestock and specialized livestock as well as some horticultural commodities.

Mike provides leadership, assistance and expert support to farmers, agribusiness, university and department staff individually and by committee or project related activities.

I am completing my second two year term on the board of directors of the CFBMC. I represent CLASS “B”, government members on the board.

I believe that farm management is an essential element in a farm business. It is essential in the management of production, marketing, financial and human resource areas of the farm business. I feel that I have contributed to the programs and services that CFBMC offers to this day, however, we must continue to further develop and enhance new and enhanced products and services for the total agriculture industry as related to farm business management.

Provincial governments, universities, agri-business and private sector service providers must work together to provide leading edge farm business management programs and services. Our agriculture industry is undergoing some dynamic changes, so the need for management and management related technologies and services are essential. My role will be to contribute, co-ordinate and engage in ideas and processes that foster better and improved farm business management practices in Canada.

For 33 years Bob has been President and General Manager of Rossholm Farms

Limited, formerly an integrated dairy and crop farm now a Pure Bred Angus cow-calf and cash crop farm near St. Marys, Ontario.  He has served as Board Member and Chair of Canadian, American, and International organizations in the dairy industry.  Bob is a partner of Ceres Forte Inc. a Canadian consulting company based in Calgary, Alberta, and is an Associate of George Morris Centre in Guelph, Ontario.

An experienced facilitator, Bob has provided leadership for think tank initiatives to ensure the quality of the milk recording process in Ontario, and the transition to privatization from both the provincial and federal milk recording agencies.  He has represented Canada and acted as conference Chairman of the International Committee for Animal Recording programs. Bob was a member of the development and implementation team for AgriSuccess programs in Canada. He has coordinated the CTEAM educational study program for Canadian farm managers since its inception in 1999.  Bob is currently a member of the Canadian Farm Business Management Council and the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association.

Accomplishments include: Selected as one of 30 Canadians for Canadian Agriculture Lifetime Leadership (CALL ) Program, Appointed to Executive & Advisory Board of Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management  (CTEAM) Program, Executive Member, Ontario Large Herd Operators, Consultant & Facilitator, GeorgeMorris Centre; Member of OIA-AIC Feasibility Study Team, Mexican FarmWorkers in Canada and Mexico;  Co-Facilitates  Strategic Planning & Board Governance Sessions,  Lead for development of the Strategic Planning module for the University of Guelph, AgriBusiness eCampus; Outside Board Director on Four Farm Family Businesses.  Business & Financial Consultant for Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services.

Agriculture is in Sharon’s genes.  She grew up on a mixed grain and beef farm in central Alberta, where her family continues to farm, and spent 6 active years as a 4-H member.  She graduated in 1991 from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foods and Nutrition.  She has been working with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development for the past 17 years, holding various positions across the province. 

Sharon has spent the last several years working to assist farmers in their diversification efforts.  She led an initiative to develop the agri-tourism industry in Alberta and currently heads up a major project to expand the growing local food system in the province.

Sharon has always engaged in partnerships with farm management, recognizing it as a cornerstone to industry development in all sectors of agriculture.  She is no stranger to CFBMC having been involved in a number of joint projects, including the Canadian Agri-Tourism Working Group, the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association convention, Marketing Caravan workshops and resource development.

As a member of the Board of Directors of CFBMC for the past two years, Sharon brings experience to the table.  She initiated a renewed partnership approach between CFBMC and the provincial government representatives; she has brought a passion for clarity to the strategic planning process; and takes an active role in continuous improvement of human resource practices at the council level.  Sharon also takes on the role of representing the diversified sector of agriculture and has initiated council partnerships among new industry stakeholder groups, expanding the reach and uptake of CFBMC resources and programs.

My husband and I started our farm in Nfld. in 1980; it has been a long, hard struggle to build our farm from scratch to where it is today. We have three children that have grown up on the farm and have learned skills and values that dealing with nature has to teach us.  Over the years I have taught in Sunday school, served as secretary of the church vestry, taught girl guides, coached volleyball and basketball. Now I am on the Community Support Group for the local Fire department. I have been involved in farming organizations almost right from the beginning, secretary for the Provincial Farm Women’s Group, Member and now 1st vice Chair for the Nfld and Lab. Federation of Agriculture, served on the Farm Dept Review Board, Natural Products Marketing Board, Nfld. and Lab Horticulture Council  and on the Farm Business Management Council .

Problems and successes in farming vary from one commodity to another, but all of farming is a business and the more we, as farmers, learn about business will help us to grow and prosper.  
                                 
Thank you. Rhonda Thornley