The seed industry offers a wide variety of innovative and fulfilling career paths that produce the seed needed to address global challenges including food security, climate change, biodiversity and environmental stewardship. The Canadian Seed Trade Association has made it a priority to encourage young people to imagine a career in agriculture where they can make a difference at home and around the world. In that light, CSTA is pleased to sponsor the Future Influencer program at the annual GrowCanada conference._x000D_
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GrowCanada provides a platform for industry leaders to network, explore cutting edge insight, and build a stronger and more vibrant agricultural sector. GrowCanada is hosted by CropLife Canada and is supported by partners including CSTA. The Future Influencers program brings students and the agriculture industry together to identify challenges and solutions, which will ultimately make a better world for everyone._x000D_
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The Future Influencers are one of the highlights of GrowCanada. The program provides students an exceptional opportunity to meet the leaders of some of the world’s most important agriculture and food companies and organizations, to participate in industry discussions, and to learn more about agriculture. The Future Influencers provide closing comments for every session and present the opinions and views of youth to some of the most influential players in the industry. The challenges issued by past Future Influencers have truly affected the thoughts and actions of some of our country’s top CEOs and managers._x000D_
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Any student across Canada in Grades 11 and 12 can apply. Agriculture experience is not necessary, just enthusiasm and the desire to learn and contribute. Competition is fierce for two available places. In 2015, CSTA selected Emma Gray, a Grade 12 student in Erickson, Man., and Autumn Lawson, also in Grade 12, of Rose Valley, Sask._x000D_
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“My experience with GrowCanada was fantastic,” said Lawson. “I met so many great people within the industry, and learned so much from all of the speakers. It opened my eyes to all the arising opportunities within agriculture. I hope to be back in the near future!”_x000D_
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Gray agreed. “At the conference, I was given the tremendous opportunity to meet and converse with people who are the driving force behind the agriculture industry today. Through the presentations and my own conversations with other conference attendees, my eyes were opened to the level of innovation in the industry today, as well as to the challenges our industry faces.”_x000D_
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“The presenters at the conference were inspiring and intelligent, and I was given the huge honour of meeting Canadian heroes Roméo Dallaire and Clara Hughes,” continued Emma. “The skills I learned at the conference will serve me well, as will the networking I took part in. All of the conference attendees, organizers, and presenters were immensely kind and supportive. Thank you again for choosing me to be one of the 2015 Future Influencers.”_x000D_
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“CSTA is proud to have presented the Future Influencer program at GrowCanada for the sixth year. Emma and Autumn did an outstanding job,” said CSTA Executive Director Crosby Devitt. “They have bright futures ahead and we know we will see them again throughout their careers in agriculture.”_x000D_
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Where are They Now?_x000D_
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Over the years, the Future Influencers impressed delegates with their contributions and insights. CSTA wanted to know how these young people are doing and how participation at GrowCanada inspired where they are today. Germination readers are invited to visit CSTA’s website – cdnseed.org – in January to view a new video featuring this amazing group of young people._x000D_
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Do You Know a Future Influencer?_x000D_
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The Future Influencers program is a key link between youth and the agriculture industry. Watch CSTA’s website in late August to learn how to spread the word and inspire more youth to be the next CSTA Future Influencers.
