Dentons Agribusiness Podcast Series

In episode 19, Heather Barnhouse speaks with Kiren Singh, Co-Founder of Haskalife, a Canadian company specializing in developing products from the haskap berry, a superfood native to northern boreal regions. Kiren shares her journey from a 30-year corporate career in the energy sector to founding Haskalife, discussing the challenges of educating consumers about the berry’s health benefits and its potential in the agribusiness market. She highlights the importance of collaboration and the growing support ecosystem for entrepreneurs, while outlining future plans for clinical studies and product expansion. To learn more, visit https://haskalife.ca/.

In episode 18, Heather Barnhouse speaks with Katy Chang, Founder and Executive Chef of EatsPlace, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that supports farm and food businesses. In this episode, Katy shares her journey from chef to leader, highlighting the critical role of strategic mentorship in empowering agribusinesses to navigate challenges such as financial literacy, access to capital, and overcoming regulatory barriers. Katy also discusses her plans to expand EatsPlace to Alberta, where she sees strong potential for collaboration with local farmers and food producers. To learn more about EatsPlace and connect with Katy, visit https://eatsplace.com/.

Heather Barnhouse, KC, Keith Hennel and Adam Kotlowitz return to review key considerations that can help set farmers up for success. They will talk about the Canadian Entrepreneurs Incentive, capital gains exemptions, pros and cons of incorporation and joint ventures, what to look for when obtaining tax and legal advice, and how to help prevent risks and disputes along the way.

Join Heather Barnhouse, KC, Keith Hennel and Adam Kotlowitz for insights on optimizing farm operations through smart planning. Farmers face unique challenges, from blending family and farm decisions to navigating demographic shifts that impact their industry. In this episode, we explore how these factors influence business structures and taxation for farmers, addressing the common dilemma of being land-rich but cash-poor.

Tune in as Heather Barnhouse, Partner in our Edmonton office, engages in a thought-provoking discussion with agribusiness leader Corlena Patterson, Executive Director at the Canadian Sheep Federation and CEO of PrüvIT Technologies Inc., to explore her dedication to improving animal health and welfare through progressive policies, innovative programs, and advanced technology.During their conversation, Corlena underscores the significance of proactive disease detection and efficient outbreak tracing, reflecting on her lifelong commitment to agriculture—a passion rooted in her childhood on a farm. She also shares highlights from her book, which offers a detailed examination of RCMP horses. For more information and to connect with Corlena, visit www.cansheep.ca and www.pruvit.io.

In episode 14, Dr. Mark Redmond, CEO of Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) joins us to explore how their initiatives and data enable Alberta producers to thrive. Dr. Redmond shares how RDAR contributes to agriculture research in the province for both crops and livestock, from developing seeds to processing food products for the end consumer.

In episode 13, Fiona Briody introduces the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), intended to reduce emissions, support production efficiencies, foster sustainability and resiliency on farm operations.

In episode 12, we interview Luke Silinski who is working to get agriculture technology education in the hands and homes of rural and underserved kids across Canada.

In episode 11, Jon Neutens, Vice President of Agriculture at ATB, shares AgTech insights touching on innovations, using data, and optimizing the industry’s value chain.

In episode 10, Alison Jackson, EY Managing Partner in Calgary, reviews the technologies being used in the agriculture sector, the array of challenges, and the solutions the industry and entrepreneurs are leveraging.