Charlotte also has two sisters and a brother.
Though she grew up on her family’s farm, Huitema didn’t know if she’d follow in the family business.
Mohawk College recruited her to play on the women’s varsity volleyball team.
Charlotte and Cindy Huitema
During her second year of playing collegiate volleyball and working towards a recreation and leisure services diploma is when Huitema concluded she wanted to work in ag.
“I think I needed to be away from the farm to realize the opportunities that were literally in my backyard,” she said.
She finished the program at Mohawk, then enrolled at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus where she graduated with a diploma in agriculture.
At her family farm, Huitema handles multiple tasks.
These include monitoring hen health, weighing eggs and helping keep the barns tidy.
She also works with the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture and volunteers in the community.
Taking on so many roles means Huitema sees the challenges women can face in ag.
Her message to young women entering the industry is to look around because strong and inspirational women are everywhere.
“I’m much more aware of the invisible loads women tend to carry, especially working moms,” Huitema said. “Women play so many critical roles in the ag sector. We are everywhere in ag and we’re ready to support one another.”