Congratulations to Lesley Burton of Tillorie Farms and Roxanne Doerksen of Trad Worm Industries!
Learn more about our 2024 winners by clicking on their pictures below.
2024 Winners
Lesley Burton, Tillorie Farms
Lesley is a fourth-generation farmer and manages Tillorie Farms Ltd. with her husband and two daughters. Her farm is primarily dedicated to field crops, with the recent addition of greenhouse strawberries and raspberries. She is also a professional Agrologist and the owner and operator of Idyllic Resources Ltd. that offers consulting services in irrigated land classification and soil fertility. In her role managing the farm, she strives to mentor and guide women who aspire to careers in agriculture to help empower the next generation. She is also a champion of sustainable farming practices and is working to make farming more environmentally and economically sustainable for communities and producers. She will use the funds to continue to expand her operation, both to increase fertilizer injection efficiency and expand her greenhouse facilities.
Lesley is a member of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Ltd.
Lesley Burton
Tillorie Farms Ltd.
Roxanne Doerksen, Trad Worm Industries
Roxanne is the founder and CEO of Trad Worm Industries, focused on advancing environmental agriculture through soil remediation. Her mission is to ensure the continued growth of clean and healthy food using vermicomposting and composting. She is passionate about sustainability, microbiology and soil science, which motivated her to start a business that uses landfill-diverted organic waste to create biologically diverse soil amendments. She is committed to supporting women in the ag industry, both within her company through opportunities for leadership and growth, and outside her company by actively participating in industry forums and networks for women in ag. She will use the funds to enhance her operations and expand the impact of her sustainable agriculture business.
Roxanne is a member of Connect First and Servus Credit Union Ltd.
Roxanne Doerksen
Trad Worm Industries
2024 Judges
Luree Williamson
Luree Williamson has been the CEO of Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life) for 11 years. This not-for-profit charity is dedicated to building a greater understanding and appreciation of agriculture and its fundamental connection to life. Ag for Life is a leading voice in the promotion of agriculture, food, health, and safety education.
Her work includes brand strategy, strategic partnerships, and fund development for the delivery of agriculture programs and resources that equip educators, parents, and curious minds alike.
Luree Williamson
CEO, Ag for Life
Trish Romanchuk
Growing up on mixed farms run by her extended family, and with parents who were previously agri-producers, Trish Romanchuk’s childhood was immersed in the world of agriculture. She learned firsthand the complexities of running a successful farming operation and the unique challenges faced by producers on the prairies. This upbringing instilled a profound understanding of agriculture and a passion for improving the future for its producers.
Over a decade ago, Trish joined connectFirst Credit Union, where she quickly recognized the critical role of local support for rural communities and the agricultural producers who form their backbone. In her current role as the Agricultural Brand & Reputation Business Partner, she brings together her agricultural background with her understanding of the unique financial needs of rural communities and producers, to benefit the credit union’s ag banking members. While she leads ag-focused advertising and agribusiness support initiatives, her favorite part of the role is the opportunity to develop and implement agriculture-centric programs and sponsorships that directly benefit the producers her team serves.
Outside of her professional life, Trish is a dedicated mother of two and resides in rural Alberta. She actively engages in her community, volunteering with local organizations like Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to enhance and support rural living.
Trish Romanchuk
connectFirst & Servus Credit Union
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