22 Member relations Rachel Telford 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. Leadership journey – Tyler Robertson 2024-25 AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION CORTEVA YOUNG LEADER PROGRAM “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.
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