Jillian Craig has been involved with CanACT for the past year after having an interest in agricultural issues. She is currently the Vice President of the club. Jillian is in her third year at the University of Guelph and is majoring in Animal Science. One day she hopes to be an animal nutritionist and farm alongside her father. She was raised on a sheep and beef farm and hopes to continue her involvement with the sheep industry.

Jillian has been involved in Junior Farmers and 4-H for numerous years. She shows her purebred sheep at local fairs and at other events such as the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Jillian also enjoys showing and riding her horses, as well as showing pigs, cattle and even chickens at some of the fairs.

Recently, she went to Oklahoma State University on a CanACT exchange to experience the culture and agricultural industry which was an opportunity of a lifetime.

“CanACT has opened the door for countless opportunities and focuses on current issues in agriculture. I believe that our members become well rounded in industry issues and the club helps individuals network and learn important life skills to take forward into the workplace.”

Rebecca is currently in her second year of studies working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. She works as a writer in the SPARK (Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge) program on campus, where she writes news articles for agricultural publications. In her spare time, Rebecca is involved with the 4-H program in Wellington County and is a volunteer for the Fergus Agricultural Society and Ontario Farm Animal Council. In 2006, Rebecca was named National Champion of the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition and is now a Director of this public speaking event for youth.

Victoria Arthur became involved with the club this past year after hearing many great things about CanACT from her fellow peers. She is a general director as well as the clubs webmaster.  She is in her third year of a bachelor in science, majoring in Animal Biology.  

Before attending the university of Guelph the only contact she had with the agricultural world was through her love of horseback riding and a few of her friends from home who were farmers.  Her time at university and with CanACT has helped to open her eyes to the full scope of the agricultural world, and all the careers and advancements that are being made each day.

Her future aspirations involve the agricultural world, but she is still exploring all the different venues that exist today.  Currently she is most interested in the advancement of the genetics and reproduction aspects in agriculture. 

Along with a fellow CanACT member she is a spearheading partnership initiative with Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc (OAFE). The intent is to have members of CanACT as youth advisors on the OAFE board.  It’s a great opportunity and she is very excited to be a part of it! 

“I think CanACT is an excellent opportunity for any student, farming background or otherwise, to expand upon their knowledge of the agricultural world, and maybe even pursue a career they never knew existed.  There are many wonderful experiences to be had if one simply gets involved.’

Owen holds a Bachelor of Arts (communications) from the University of Windsor, a Master’s of Science (rural extension studies) from the University of Guelph, and he is a candidate in the Doctorate of Education (agricultural education) program at Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University.

“I’m always impressed by CanACT members’ interest in incorporating agricultural communications into their careers, and their creativity in choosing club activities and guest speakers,” he says. “It keeps me motivated as their advisor and I’m glad to offer whatever assistance I can.”

For fun, he plays guitar in a band called the GMOs.

Amanda Brodhagen has been involved in CanACT for the past three years, and is currently serving her second term as president for the club. She has also taken both of the agricultural communications courses that are offered through the Ontario Agricultural College.

She is in her third year studying political science with the future aspiration of becoming a policy advisor specializing in agriculture. Amanda enjoys being involved in rural youth organizations such as 4-H and Junior Farmers. She is also active in her community serving as a volunteer with the Listowel Agricultural Society, the Perth County Plowmen’s Association and the 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalist Congress youth committee.

“ I think CanACT members graduate with professional development skills such as writing and business etiquette that is desirable to employers,” she says. “It is important for youth to be able to communicate affectively about the issues facing agriculture.”

Kim McCaw grew up on a beef, dairy, market garden and cash crop farm and is currently an inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). On the side she operated her own relief milking business for about ten years and still takes on work occasionally. Kim has a keen interest in dairy cattle genetics and operating practices. She graduated with a BSc. from the University of Guelph in 2003 and she is currently enrolled in a Master’s Degree as well as pursuing a Diploma in Human Resources Management.

Kim volunteers as a 4-H leader, assisting members with showing beef, dairy cattle, and goats at local fairs and also the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. In Junior Farmers, over the last several years Kim has offered her skills as a team player to several committees to plan and organize events. She is a coach for the Guelph Soccer club and also plays competitively in the Ontario Women’s Soccer League. When all of that isn’t keeping her busy, Kim enjoys playing competitive volleyball and road hockey, as well as showing and riding draft horses. She has a passion for antique tractors and marketing locally and internationally with her boyfriend.

The exchange at Oklahoma State University, all in all, the food, people and hosts were unbelievable. They were extremely friendly, helpful and extraordinary. Everyone I encountered was willing to take time out of their busy life to show a stranger on exchange from Canada, some of the highlights of the Oklahoma cultural lifestyle, and I was happy I could repay their hospitality by hosting them when they came to Canada.