Leading with change: AALP Class 16 learns from industry leaders in Chatham

Shaping the future through embracing change

By Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program Class 16, exclusive to Farms.com

Shaping the future through embracing changewas the resounding message at the most recent Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) seminar. Held in Chatham from January 17 to 20, 2016, the group got to hear from top business leaders about how they have successfully developed their business by leading with change. The guest speakers represented a wide range of industries including traditional cash crop, vegetable greenhouse, meat processing, ethanol production and a commercial seed business.

Challenging the way we think about current business models was a key topic at this session as the group learned about the co-operative business structure. Three industry leaders spoke about the co-operative movement in Ontario and across Canada. Mark Ventry from the Ontario Co-operative Association gave an overview of many successful co-ops in Ontario. “Co-ops are well run companies these days, despite previous stigmas of being not for profits or poorly organized,” he said. Co-ops allow their members to own a piece of the business and regardless of your size all members get only one vote. The esteemed panel of speakers encouraged the group as business leaders, growers and association representatives to think about the value of co-op systems vs current business models.

Greg Devries and Hilco Tamminga give AALP class 16 a tour of

Truly Green Farms Phase 2 tomato greenhouse.

A key component of AALP is learning beyond the boardroom and this was evident from an amazing farm site visit to AALP Alumnus, Greg DeVries (AALP Class 8) and Hilco Tamminga, co-owners of Truly Green Farms in Chatham. These two friends were raised in the cash crop and hog sectors but they wanted to diversify their farming operations, and this led them to the vegetable greenhouse industry. After just 10 years of being in business together, they have grown their business to 61 acres of vegetable greenhouse production with different varieties of hydroponic tomatoes and peppers. This dynamic leadership duo are constantly changing and upgrading their operation to remain an industry leader in the greenhouse industry. Greg and Hilco feel strongly that strategic partnerships are necessary in order to be successful in the future.

Truly Green Farms and Greenfield Ethanol were able to forge a partnership for change moving into the future. Truly Green Farms was able to build a state of the art greenhouse operation directly across the road from the Greenfield plant in order to utilize two of Greenfields waste products, carbon dioxide (Co2) and heat. These waste products will be pumped underground in pipes where Truly Green Farms will use harvested materials to heat the greenhouse and pump Co2 for plant growth.

Collin Phillip Dupont Pioneer Eastern Business Director

gives AALP class 16 his thoughts on leading a changing industry.

DuPont Pioneer, who hosted the group at their site, is focused on listening to their customer needs to continue as an industry leader in the seed business. The Eastern Canadian Business Director Collin Phillip highlighted that "we live in a new world where we need a license to farm". He believes that primary producers and the Agri-business industry need to work together to change the customer perception of what modern agriculture is all about and who is the face of farmer.

The group toured DuPont Pioneer’s new state of the art seed processing facility, which boosts the capacity to custom treat many different seed treatments. "One seed treatment does not fit all producers anymore," said Ian Rumble, production coordinator. "DuPont Pioneer has evolved to be nimble and treat and package on demand, as this is what our customers face under new seed treatment legislation in Ontario.”

AALP Class 16 wrapped up the session at Ridgetown College where director Ken McEwan and he was shared his advice to the group of leaders. “The industry needs leaders with confidence and passion to create vision with the analytical skills to create a plan to influence and partner with stakeholders to navigate through the turbulent times that face Canadian Agriculture,” he said. Ridgetown College is looking at ways to educate students, agri-business and growers to equip them with these skills to face the modern world of agriculture.

AALP Class 16 and alumni will reunite February 20, 2016 at the Delta Guelph Hotel for the AALP Dream Auction. Check out the website www.aalpdreamauction.com for information around the event. Stay tuned for the next AALP seminar report as the group travels to Ottawa from February 28 to March 2, 2016.

AgCareers.com and Farms.com are proud sponsors of AALP Class 16.