Canadian Women's Excellence in Agriculture and Agri-Food Honored

Five women have been honored by Farm Credit Canada or FCC (News - Alert) with an FCC Rosemary Davis Award. The women have been recognized for their top command and commitment to the Canadian agriculture and agri-food industry. Apart from pursuing very successful careers in agriculture, these women have also shined as outstanding role models in their communities and within the agriculture industry. An FCC business region in Canada is represented by each award winner.

The winners for 2011 are Bertha Campbell, Wynne Chisholm, Liliane Colpron, Rossana Di Zio Magnotta and Sherri Grant. Aside from being a registered nurse, Campbell is a co-owner and a volunteer from Kensington, PEI. Chisholm is a management consultant and cow-calf producer. She is also a volunteer and comes from Calgary, AB. Colpron is a top agri-food industry visionary from Montreal, Quebec. Di Zio Magnotta is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and educator from Vaughan, Ontario. Grant is also a producer and educator from Val Marie, Saskatchewan.

All the winners possess courage, determination and passion. They have followed their dreams. In support of the future success of the Canadian agriculture industry, they have also taken time to share their knowledge with others.

Ranging from early 20s to their mid-80s, more than 225 women have been nominated for the FCC Rosemary Davis award to date. These women have been working in a range of agriculture and agribusiness sectors. To date, 25 outstanding women in the agricultural industry have been awarded the Rosemary Davis Awards.

FCC is a top agriculture lender in Canada. The business of agriculture is therefore advanced by the organization. Financing, insurance, software, learning programs and other business services are provided by FCC. These services are provided to producers, agribusinesses and agri-food operations.

In related news, the optimism level of Canadian agriculture producers and agribusiness owners is at a four-year high, according to a new Farm Credit Canada (FCC) national Vision Panel survey. Three-quarters of those surveyed say that their farm or business will be better off in five years which is a significant shift from 2009. In this fourth annual FCC study, more Canadian producers report being better off than they were five years ago and they have higher expectations for future growth than in the past. They also show continued advocacy for careers in agriculture. Intentions to expand and diversify are also at a four-year high.