Inaugural industry tour a success

Twenty-eight women chicken farmers took part in a day-long chicken industry value chain educational tour organized by the Chicken Farmers of Ontario's Women in Leadership initiative. The tour included stops at Trillium Hatchery in Stratford, Ontario and Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd., in Wallenstein, Otario.

From new entrants, to those that have been chicken farming for decades, participants found the tour to be informative and encouraging for business, professional, and personal growth.

The industry tour was a community engagement activity organized through the Women in Leadership initiative; a program that encourages female chicken farmers to plan and participate in activities in communities across the province.

“I’m so pleased to see the CFO Women in Leadership initiative expand and innovate,” said Ed Benjamins, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “Getting out in the community, building relationships and networking with fellow farmers and industry stakeholders was a real part of the vision when this initiative launched back in 2016.”

“The CFO Women in Leadership initiative provides opportunities to network, share knowledge and collaborate, helping to further share a culture where everyone in CFO feels empowered, supported, and equipped to succeed,” stated Rob Dougans, President & CEO of Chicken Farmers of Ontario. “Female farmer-members make up close to 50% of our membership. Our over 1,300 chicken farms across the province are family-owned and family-run businesses.”