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SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
Sir Donald Curry KB, CBE, FRAgS
Sir Don Curry is a farmer and businessman in Hexham, Northumberland, U.K. He was the former Chairman of the Meat and Livestock Commission during the BSE crisis and was awarded a knighthood in 2001 for his services to the agriculture industry.
He has recently chaired the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food for his country and is one of the most popular speakers in the agriculture sector today.
Sir Don Curry will share his experiences with the BSE and Foot and Mouth Disease epidemics. What steps has the U.K. taken to revitalize agriculture and improve the public perception of an industry damaged by graphic media images, travel warnings and export bans? Can Canadians learn from any mistakes that were made? Sir Don Curry's presentation will provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about an issue that grabbed global media attention and had an effect on agriculture awareness world wide.
Donald Thomas Younger Curry, is 58 years old, married with three children.
"He chaired the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food which reporting to Government in January 2002. The report "Farming and Food, a sustainable future" was widely welcomed and is regarded as providing an important new vision for the farming and food industry and a blue print for future Government policy. He has now been invited to chair an implementation group with responsibility for delivering the Government's strategy based on the Commission's Report.
In 1998 he was appointed a non-executive director of the NFU Mutual Insurance Co. and became Deputy Chairman in June 2000. In January 2000 he was appointed as a Crown Estate Commissioner.
He was first appointed an MLC Commissioner in October 1986 and was appointed Deputy Chairman in January 1992, Acting Chairman of the Commission in September 1993, and Chairman in April 1994. He was re-appointed for a second term as Chairman in April 1997 and retired in April 2001.
He was awarded a CBE for his services to Agriculture in the 1997 New Year's Honours list and a Knighthood in the Birthday Honours in 2001.
In 1990 he was a founder, and is Chairman, of North Country Primestock, a livestock marketing company based in the North of England. He was appointed the first Chairman of the Farm Assured British Beef and Lamb scheme, a position he relinquished at the end of 1994.
He was a founder, and is Chairman of 'At Home in the Community', a charity managing residential homes in the North East for people with learning disabilities. In December 2000 he was the first recipient of The Royal Smithfield Club's Bicentenary Trophy awarded for his major contribution to the British meat industry.
He farms 250 hectares in Northumberland comprising arable and lowland grass. His farming enterprises include beef cattle and suckler cows, as well as a breeding flock of ewes with lambs for finishing."
Brent Finnamore, Peak Adventures International Inc.
Brent Finnamore motivates and educates audiences of all sizes throughout Canada and the United States with his high-energy, seminars and power presentations. Brent's intensity and presence in front of his audiences is unforgettable, creating an experience that is gripping, informative and entertaining all at once. Brent Finnamore has a background from the University of New Brunswick in Human Performance, Kinesiology and Psychology. Since 1993, Brent has shared his life-changing ideas and insights with more than 250,000 people from across Canada. He is regularly published in success magazines and business publications throughout North America. Brent's first book "Insights" was published in 2002 and his latest book and CD set, "Powersides," is on its way. Brent has been the dynamic presence behind several agricultural workshops in the Maritimes. He facilitates the first two sessions of the New Brunswick Advanced Agriculture Leadership Program, participates in some 4-H training and has assisted the New Brunswick Agriculture Awareness Committee in developing new communication strategies. http://www.brentfinnamore.com
Norm Hammond, Primary Agricultural Awareness Liaison Officer
Norm Hammond a Primary (Elementary) Agricultural Awareness Liaison Officer with a large high school in Western Australia. This school has a thriving farm with agricultural faculty and services upwards of 5000 children, plus accompanying adults, in a range of programs. Mr. Hammond attended the 2002 Conference in Victoria and shared his information informally with the other delegates. This year, he has been invited to speak on the relevance of elementary agricultural awareness and it's place in the wider Agricultural Education program.
Heather Cloutier, Senior Communications Advisor, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Heather Cloutier is a senior communications advisor with the Science Communications Directorate at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC). Her team, located across the country work to promote Environmental Health research to the broader Canadian public.
The team recently organized a media event at the Central Experimental Farm to attract national media attention to AAFC's research related to the reduction of agricultural greenhouse gases. This event has generated over 111 media hits across the country. They are also working on implementing an environmental science curriculum in school across the country.
Derek Parker; Leader, Value Chain Initiative, Agriculture and Food Council of Alberta
Derek Parker, P.Ag., has an M.Sc. degree in Agricultural Economics from the
University of Alberta and has been involved in the agriculture and food
industry in Canada for the past 10 years. Derek has spoken at numerous
events in Canada about the benefits of value chain approaches to business.
Both with government and in the private sector, he has worked with many
companies and organizations in developing growth strategies, including value
chain approaches to business. Derek also has five years of experience in
Africa, primarily as a rural development project manager.
Derek Parker
Agriculture and Food Council (AFC)
Leader, Value Chain Initiative
412, 1101-5 Street
Nisku, Alberta T9E 7N3
P: (780) 955-3714 ext: 229
F: (780) 955-3744
Web site: www.agfoodcouncil.com
Brian Gard,
High School Agriculture Teacher
Mr. Gard has coordinated an award- winning program piloted in a Prince Edward Island High School. He will discuss the course options and demonstrate in a workshop form how to easily implement agriculture into the classroom.
Barry Cudmore, Chair, PEI Food Trust
Mr. Cudmore will give a presentation on the development of a marketing plan for Prince Edward Island producers and processors. He is a hog and potato producer and has been actively involved agricultural policy and promotion for many years. The Food Trust was developed to identify areas within the market place where PEI produce would become recognized for its premium quality. The Trust is comprised of members within the farming and food processing community of Prince Edward Island. Barry Cudmore Chairs this initiative. He is a hog and potato producer who has been actively involved in agriculture policy and promotion for many years. Mr. Cudmore is a recent recipient of the Gilbert R. Clements Award for sustainable agriculture. He also has a keen interest in international agriculture and has travelled extensively.
Kevin Crouse, OAFE Resource Development Director
Kevin Crouse is the Resource Development Director for Ontario Agri-Food Education. He has written and produced over 50 teacher resources including Better Together, Career Education, Case Studies in Agribusiness, Eat Right and Food Biotechnology. He has also served as a principal at the elementary and secondary level and Resource Development Director for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.
Luc Lapointe, Career Project, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Luc Lapointe is currently managing the career project for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Mr. Lapointe has provided leadership for the past five years on the development of resources and tools to help guidance counsellors and teachers provide up-to-date information on career choices for their students. Mr. Lapointe has worked on several youth projects that will help young people understand the importance of life long learning. Mr. Lapointe has provided input and worked directly with the Prime Minister's Task Force and Youth and Entrepreneurship. Mr. Lapointe is working closely with the Ministry of Human Resources Development Canada to establish a sector council for Agriculture
FACILTATORS
Crystal MacKay, Communications Specialist, Ontario Pork
Crystal Mackay, P.Ag., is the Communications Specialist for Ontario Pork, where she specializes in media relations and public relations. She spearheaded the "Speak Up" team concept in 1998, training farmers to be agricultural ambassadors and media spokespeople in Ontario. Crystal has offered this training program across the country over the last few years. She started her own company, Crystal Clear Communications, in 1997, in response to requests for her expertise in agricultural awareness and education. Her lifelong dream of giving urban children a real appreciation for agriculture started in 2000 with her Farm Fun & Sun Camp program that runs for a week each summer
Kelly Daynard,
Communications Specialist
Ontario Cattlemen's Association
As communications Specialist for Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA), Kelly Daynard has been instrumental in implementing the "Speak up for Agriculture" program into OCA's organization. Ms. Daynard was actively involved in the in the dialogues between farmers and the media during the Walkerton tragedy. Raised on a cash crop farm outside of Guelph, Ontario, She us a graduate of Wilfred Laurier University with an honors in English. Ms. Daynard is also a member of the 2001-2003 Ontario Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. Ms. Daynard will assist in the Speak-up for Agriculture Workshop.
Margaret Weeks, PEI Food and Beverage Processors Association
Following graduation with her B.Sc. in Food Science from Macdonald College, Montreal, Marg worked for the PEI Department of Agriculture with the 4-H program, and in PEI product promotion and marketing. For several years, she provided leadership to the PEI Association of Exhibitions in areas of food promotion and safety. She served on the Farm Women's Conference Planning Committee in several capacities, and helped create the Millennium book "Growing from Strong Roots", which recognized the contributions of women to Island agriculture. Most recently, Marg has worked with the PEI Food and Beverage Processors Association as Training Coordinator. She sits on the PEI Agricultural Awareness Committee and is on the National Agricultural Awareness Planning Committee. She and her husband Allison have two grown children and live in Winsloe, PEI.
Debbie McCrady, Marketing Home Economist
Debbie McCrady was born and raised on PEI. She received her B.Sc. from UPEI with a major in Home Economics specializing in food and nutrition. After graduation, she taught home economics and chemistry at a senior high school in rural PEI. After marrying and having 3 children, Mrs. McCrady worked as a consulting Home Economist for a variety of government departments and agencies prior to working on a permanent part-time basis for the Egg Producers of Prince Edward Island and PEI Pork as Marketing Home Economist. She has been in her present position since 1988.
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