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Millions of people participated in Canada’s Agriculture Day

Feb 22, 2023

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The day held the top trending spot for 15 consecutive hours

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canada’s Agriculture Day proved to be a success, new data says.

On Feb. 15, while Canada’s ag sector had the spotlight, online engagement reached more than 135 million people.

For context, Mexico’s population in 2022 was 127.5 million people.

In addition, the hashtag #CdnAgDay trended number one on Twitter for 15 straight hours and remained trending for 38 total hours.

"We are thrilled to see such incredible engagement and participation from Canadians across the country," John Jamieson, president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI), said in a statement. "This year's impressive reach and social media presence reflects the importance and appreciation of Canadian agriculture and the need to continue to celebrate and promote it."

Agriculture More Than Ever started Canada’s Ag Day in 2016 to recognize the work of all those who help produce the food that Canadians and people around the world eat.

In 2021, the CCFI assumed leadership of Ag More Than Ever and has promoted Ag Day each year since.

No date has been set for Canada’s Agriculture Day celebrations in 2024 yet.

But the Canadian ag sector can bet it’ll be in February.

In 2020, Canada’s Ag Day was Feb. 22. The following year the celebrations took place on Feb. 23. And in 2022 the day fell on Feb. 22.

Anyone interested in revisiting some of the messages shared on Canada’s Agriculture Day can search the hashtag #CdnAgDay on Twitter and other social media channels.

Video: Why Seed Analysts are Thriving Under Seeds Canada

Last month in Edmonton, Alta., industry leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of the seed industry at Seeds Canada’s annual conference. Among them was Sarah Foster, president of 2020 Seed Labs and the new vice-president of Seeds Canada.

Foster, who has been on the board of Seeds Canada for over a year, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with the formation of the organization. Seeds Canada was established just over three years ago through the merger of multiple seed industry groups, including the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC). Since then, the organization has been working to define its priorities and solidify its role in the industry.

“The challenge has been allowing the dust to settle after the merger,” Foster explained. “We’ve been focused on identifying what our priorities should be and ensuring that our members, especially the seed analysts, are getting what they need to continue their professional work.”

One of the recent highlights was a pre-conference event where the three major seed labs in Alberta — 20/20 Seed Labs, SGS Canada and Seed Check — opened their doors to members. The event saw a record number of seed analysts and business professionals in attendance. Foster emphasized the importance of this transparency, stating, “It’s crucial for people to see what goes on behind the scenes. We’re an open book now, and that openness helps build trust and understanding within the industry.”

The event also featured an environmental scan and a series of discussions that fostered strong communication among attendees. According to Foster, the dialogue was both encouraging and inspiring.

“A lot of people were really inspired by the fact that Seeds Canada is moving ahead with its agenda. The seed analysts, who have always worked diligently in the background, are now being recognized more prominently,” she said.

Before the merger, seed analysts were represented by CSAAC. Now, as part of Seeds Canada, they are finding their place within the larger organization. Foster believes that the integration has been successful, noting, “I think we’re thriving. You only need to look south of the border, where similar consolidations are happening.”

As Seeds Canada continues to evolve, Foster remains optimistic about the future. “I want to be totally transparent with anyone who is a seed analyst — I’ve got your back. We’re moving in a positive direction, and we’ll do everything we can to meet the needs of our members,” she said.