Leadership journey – Tyler Robertson

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH GOVERNMENT AND CONSUMERS IS KEY TO THE FUTURE SUCCESS of the agriculture industry, according to Tyler Robertson, a farmer from Chatham-Kent. Robertson has been selected to participate in the 2024-25 American Soybean Association Corteva Young Leader program.

Phase I of the Young Leader program will take place December 2 – 5 at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa. It continues February 28 – March 4, 2025, in Denver in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

Robertson always knew he wanted to be a farmer. He attended the University of Guelph where he obtained a bachelor of science in agriculture. It was there that he learned the value of learning from others – from other young farmers at the ag college to the farmers he met while on an exchange in the Netherlands.

“Ag has always been a passion of mine,” says Robertson. “And work on the family farm has never felt like work. It’s something I have always enjoyed doing.”

Three generations currently work on the family farm. Along with his dad and uncle, Robertson appreciates having his 90-year-old grandfather still active on the farm, driving tractor and working in the shop.

“My family get along great, and they are giving me the opportunity to continue the farming tradition in our family,” says Robertson. “They’ve given me the opportunity to learn and make decisions and it is an opportunity I am truly thankful for.”

In 2020, Robertson was able to buy his own farm adjacent to the home farm to expand their operation.

He has invested in tile drainage on the new land to help increase productivity on the sandy-loam soil. He is also concerned about soil erosion and soil health and underseeds red clover in his winter wheat to maintain a green cover following the harvest.

He also has plans to add peas to his crop rotation to allow him to double crop soybeans. Currently, they grow corn, soybeans, kidney beans, black beans, white beans, and wheat. In any given year, they have about 200 acres planted to soybeans.

“In recent years, we’ve been growing more IP soybeans. They’re a more challenging crop than round-up ready, but I enjoy working out the additional management strategies for a successful crop,” says Robertson.

In addition to his plans for the farm, Robertson is keen to develop his leadership skills within the agriculture community. He currently serves as a delegate in District 2 (Kent) and is active in his district’s government relations sub-committee. He also sits on Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Government Relations Board Committee.

“I thoroughly enjoy politics, I always have,” says Robertson, who spearheaded a resolution from his district to raise awareness with the general public about the impact the carbon tax is having on farms.

Robertson’s active involvement with Grain Farmers of Ontario and his desire to advocate for farmers is what made his application to the Young Leader program stand out to the panel of directors who reviewed all of the candidates.

Grain Farmers of Ontario and the 26 state affiliates of the American Soybean Association each select a farmer or farming couple to participate as a Young Leader. The program focuses on leadership and communication, agriculture trends and information, and the development of a strong and connected network.

Robertson applied to be the Ontario representative in the Young Leader program because of the networking opportunities and the chance to learn from other farmers and understand different perspectives on farming practices. He is also intrigued to learn more about the oilseed market and the potential for future growth.

The Young Leader program is for anyone new to leadership who is looking to develop their skills – it is not just for those who are young in age. Ontario participants have gone on to serve as delegates and directors for Grain Farmers of Ontario, including current chair of the Board of Directors, Jeff Harrison (District 12 – Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings), who completed the program in 2016-17.

Anyone who would like more information on the program and would be interested in applying for the 2025-26 class of Young Leaders, can reach out to Rachel Telford, manager of member relations for Grain Farmers of Ontario, at 226-979-5581 or rtelford@gfo.ca. •