Our 2019 Executive
Cheryl Davie | President
Barbara Johnstone Grimmer | Vice President
Barbara Johnstone Grimmer is an agrologist who lives and writes from the Gulf Islands. She writes a regular column on farm life and farm issues for the Islands Independent community newspaper called "The Farmer's Stand". She is also a regular contributor to the BC Sheep Federation's publication The N'Ewes. Her writings are reproduced with photos, videos and added thoughts and gleanings in her blog.
David Schmidt | Treasurer
Treasurer and past president of the BC Farm Writers Association and a past director and president of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation, David Schmidt is editor emeritus of Country Life in B.C. and contributes to other regional and national agricultural magazines. David grew up on a mixed/dairy farm in the Fraser Valley. He has a BA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and has been covering agriculture since 1985. His awards include being named BC's Agriculturist of the Year in 2000 and receiving the Canadian Farm Writers Federations Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. When not involved in agriculture, David provides personal and small business tax services and plays tournament bridge. He is treasurer and a past president of the BC-Washington-Alaska District of the American Contract Bridge League.
Ronda Payne | Secretary
A writer since she could hold a pen, Ronda Payne is passionate about her craft. A regular contributor to Country Life in BC, Modern Agriculture, Orchard & Vine and a wide range of other publications. She also works for businesses who need their story told (be it a case study, blogging or articles). Ronda continues to grow in her writing career while she joyfully lives in Maple Ridge in "yet another" renovation project home with her husband and pets.
Cathy Glover | Membership & Social Media Coordinator
From yearbooks in high school to editing newsletters (and eventually, websites) for every horse club she belonged to, Cathy has never strayed far from publishing. Her first full-time job out of high school was with Western Living. She was publisher, editor and chief bottle-washer of The Quarter Circle, a publication of the BC Quarter Horse Association in the early 80s. She was doing yet another newsletter (for the BC Angus Association) when she was recruited as Country Life in BC's beef editor in 1997 by then-publisher Malcolm Young. She upgraded to a more lucrative position in advertising sales when Peter Wilding bought the struggling publication in 2000. When Peter announced his retirement in 2016, she "bought her job" and is now publisher. When she's not pounding the keyboard, she shows Paint Horses with her daughter from their farm in Enderby.
Myrna Stark Leader | BC Director to Canadian Farm Writers Federation
An experienced writer and accredited communications professional, and Saskatchewan transplant to Kelowna, Myrna contributes to Country Life In BC and additional publications and projects. Although she didn’t grow up farming (both sets of grandparents were grain farmers), she is intrigued and fascinated by the innovation, entrepreneurs and variety of issues in agriculture. Myrna’s goal is to help share information and stories in a way that resonates. She’s past-president and a former, long-serving director of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation, a former Saskatchewan Farm Writers’ Association director and has been a trusted adviser to senior leadership on media and communications matters in municipal, provincial and federal gov’ts, as well as the private sector. Her work has been recognized with two IABC Gold Quill awards. Myrna loves her new home in BC and continues seeking new clients.
Barbara Johnstone Grimmer | Vice President
Barbara Johnstone Grimmer is an agrologist who lives and writes from the Gulf Islands. She writes a regular column on farm life and farm issues for the Islands Independent community newspaper called "The Farmer's Stand". She is also a regular contributor to the BC Sheep Federation's publication The N'Ewes. Her writings are reproduced with photos, videos and added thoughts and gleanings in her blog.
David Schmidt | Treasurer
Treasurer and past president of the BC Farm Writers Association and a past director and president of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation, David Schmidt is editor emeritus of Country Life in B.C. and contributes to other regional and national agricultural magazines. David grew up on a mixed/dairy farm in the Fraser Valley. He has a BA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and has been covering agriculture since 1985. His awards include being named BC's Agriculturist of the Year in 2000 and receiving the Canadian Farm Writers Federations Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. When not involved in agriculture, David provides personal and small business tax services and plays tournament bridge. He is treasurer and a past president of the BC-Washington-Alaska District of the American Contract Bridge League.
Ronda Payne | Secretary
A writer since she could hold a pen, Ronda Payne is passionate about her craft. A regular contributor to Country Life in BC, Modern Agriculture, Orchard & Vine and a wide range of other publications. She also works for businesses who need their story told (be it a case study, blogging or articles). Ronda continues to grow in her writing career while she joyfully lives in Maple Ridge in "yet another" renovation project home with her husband and pets.
Cathy Glover | Membership & Social Media Coordinator
From yearbooks in high school to editing newsletters (and eventually, websites) for every horse club she belonged to, Cathy has never strayed far from publishing. Her first full-time job out of high school was with Western Living. She was publisher, editor and chief bottle-washer of The Quarter Circle, a publication of the BC Quarter Horse Association in the early 80s. She was doing yet another newsletter (for the BC Angus Association) when she was recruited as Country Life in BC's beef editor in 1997 by then-publisher Malcolm Young. She upgraded to a more lucrative position in advertising sales when Peter Wilding bought the struggling publication in 2000. When Peter announced his retirement in 2016, she "bought her job" and is now publisher. When she's not pounding the keyboard, she shows Paint Horses with her daughter from their farm in Enderby.
Myrna Stark Leader | BC Director to Canadian Farm Writers Federation
An experienced writer and accredited communications professional, and Saskatchewan transplant to Kelowna, Myrna contributes to Country Life In BC and additional publications and projects. Although she didn’t grow up farming (both sets of grandparents were grain farmers), she is intrigued and fascinated by the innovation, entrepreneurs and variety of issues in agriculture. Myrna’s goal is to help share information and stories in a way that resonates. She’s past-president and a former, long-serving director of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation, a former Saskatchewan Farm Writers’ Association director and has been a trusted adviser to senior leadership on media and communications matters in municipal, provincial and federal gov’ts, as well as the private sector. Her work has been recognized with two IABC Gold Quill awards. Myrna loves her new home in BC and continues seeking new clients.
Meet a few of our other members
(in alphabetical order)
Brianna Anderson
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual arts from UBC, Brianna Anderson has worked in varying creative fields, including graphic design, freelance writing and marketing. Many of these pursuits have been focused in the agriculture industry, drawing on her background of growing up on a commercial and educational dairy farm, as well as 11 successful years in 4-H.
Gary and Karen Booy
For the last fourteen years, Gary and Karen Booy have been operating BC Holstein News from their beautiful farm, Dream Acres Dairy, in the heart of BC dairy land. Under their ownership, the paper, like the industry, has thrived and grown, more than doubling in size from the original paper. Karen and Gary also own a little "piece of heaven," their beautiful property located in the majestic Rockies, just a few hours from Dream Acres. Their friendly personalities infuse both of their homes with a sunshine warmth that welcomes everyone to feel right at home. The four-legged family members from the prized Holsteins to the independent felines thrive in this loving environment. Home and work blend easily, well, almost always, (deadlines can be crazy times) but they would have it no other way loving their lives and living their dream.
Amanda Brittain
Amanda Brittain is the Manager of Communications & Marketing for the BC Egg Marketing Board. Amanda has more than 20 years of communications experience with various organizations in BC. At BC Egg, Amanda is responsible for all communications and marketing activities including the e-newsletters, website, events and sponsorships. She concentrates on ensuring all activities are strategically planned and support BC Egg’s brand. She holds a master's degree in communications from Royal Roads University and is an Accredited Business Communicator with the International Association of Business Communicators.
Louise Bradford
Louise writes speeches for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Members of Parliament on a variety of complex topics related to agriculture and food. She is a member of the Government of Canada's Speechwriting Community of Practice and AAFC's Indigenous Network Circle.
Jen Carrelli
Jen is the Communications Coordinator for Proventus and XLVets Canada. She has her BSc in Agriculture and is currently working on completing her MSc in Animal Science, both from the University of Alberta. Throughout her degrees, Jen has had the opportunity to work with many dairy herds in Western Canada, growing her passion for the communication pathway between research and producers. The importance of knowledge exchange between research institiutions, industry stakeholders and producers is a key driver of innovation within the dairy industry and the agricultural industry in general and thus, this area has always piqued Jen’s interest. All of her experiences to date have led her to where she is today, building a career in agricultural communications and extension.
Tars and Kash Cheema
Tars and Kash are apprenticing in publishing of BC Holstein News from Gary and Karen Booy.
Bob Collins
Bob has been a columnist for Country Life in BC for over 20 years. He has written four books of rural humour and has twice been short-listed for the Stephen Leacock Prize.
Sarbmeet Singh Hayer
With about three years experience in agricultural writing, Sarbmeet has an education in agriculture with a post-graduate diploma in mass communications. He loves meeting new producers and writing about them.
Tom Henry
Tom Henry is the editor of Small Farm Canada.
Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson was raised on a ranch south of Kamloops. After living all over the province from Victoria to Fort Nelson, she has returned to her hometown and recently become the communications co-ordinator for BC Cattlemen's Association and Editor of Beef in BC. Holly has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from the University of Victoria.
Kassie Jansen
Kassie was raised on farmland located in Matsqui Flats, BC. With a deep interest in the dairy industry, she followed her passion by working at multiple dairy farms to broaden her knowledge and skills. She graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley with a diploma in Business Administration and obtained the Professional Communication Essentials certificate. Along with her experience in the dairy industry, Kassie has extensive client-service experience, and enjoys combining her love of agriculture, farming and fostering relationships in bsuiness to assist and create opportunities for farmers in Canada. Kassie strives to cultivate and grow Proventus in her role as the Communications Coordinator.
Tamara Leigh - tamara@shinybird.ca
Tamara Leigh is a writer and communications consultant based on Vancouver Island. She currently has served in numerous positions on the board of the Canadian Farm Writers federation and BC Farm Writers Association. Tamara grew up mucking out barns and mending fences. A transplanted Prairie girl, she has a great appreciation for the diversity, geography and nuances of the agriculture sector in BC. Tamara has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Drama from the University of Alberta, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management from Royal Roads University.
Brenda Schoepp
Brenda’s column Straight from the Hip is featured in several agricultural publications. An award-winning author, her work has been featured for World Food Day and the World Economic Summit, SIA Pairs, Future Farmers of America, USDA Conservation and is the basis for the development of farmer recognition policy in Ghana. Brenda has a strong international presence and as a professional mentor works with young entrepreneurs in eight nations. In 2019 she was awarded the Award of Distinction for Communication in Animal Welare by Alberta Farm Animal Care. Named Champion of Diversity by Manitoba Women in Agriculture & Food, and received the Royal Roads University Founders Award for leadership. She has been deeply inolved on the Canadian farming and food scene in policy development and finance, research, in the promotion of gender equality and youth, and as a farm writer for over 40 years.
Reet Sidhu
Reet is a communications professional with over nine years of experience in the non-profit sector. She has proven experience in managing digital communications, media relations and stakeholder relations. She’s very excited to become a part of the farm writing and agriculture community as the Communications Manager with BC Dairy Association.
Danielle Synotte
Danielle naturally fell into communications and public relations while working with the City of Abbotsford for nearly nine years. Her notable roles include Economic Development Coordinator where she worked on investment and business attraction and the other was the organization’s Communications & PR Specialist. While working full-time, she spent her evenings and weekends completing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of the Fraser Valley. In 2014, Danielle left her government job when offered to be part of a small business start-up in the private sector to grow the organization’s communications and business operations function as the Communications Director. Once structure and process was implemented and running smoothly, Danielle found “greener pastures” at the BC Agriculture Council as their Director of Communications and Engagement in 2017.
Danielle’s greatest strength is found in her innate ability to build and cultivate relationships. A key role in this position is building connections between members and representing the broad interests of BC farmers and ranchers.
Agricultural Publications
Members of the BC Farm Writers Association contribute to the following publications:
BC Agriculture Media
BC Holstein News
BC Milk Blast
Beef in BC
British Columbia Organic Grower
Canadian Grapes to Wine
Country Life in BC
Farmwest.com
Island Farm & Garden
Modern Agriculture
Orchard & Vine
Small Farm Canada
Canadian Agriculture Media
AgKnowledge Magazine
AgriSuccess Express
AgriSuccess Journal
Alberta Farmer Express
Canadian Farm Manager
Canadian Organic Grower
Canadian Poultry Magazine
Country Guide
Farming for Tomorrow
Fruit & Vegetable Magazine
Grainews
Greenhouse Canada
Growing Tomorrow
Holstein Journal
Prairie Hog Country
Small Farm Canada
The Western Producer
Top Crop Manager
Western Dairy Farmer
