Murray Wood: October is a special time on the prairies
Murray Wood is celebrating October, as we enjoy the last days of warm weather before the winter hits. In Saskatchewan, W...
Each year for the past decade, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan has recognized someone who engages with the public about agriculture.
Sandra Hessdorfer, the recipient of this year’s Champion Award, is involved in all areas of the industry. Hessdorfer and her husband have a grain farm and raise black Angus cattle near St. Benedict, about 125 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon.
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Her day job is the Agriculture Education Officer with the Horizon School Division. She delivers presentations at each school and organizes the annual Student Ag Day in Humboldt, an annual event attended by nearly 600 Grade 10 students and teachers from across the division. Post-secondary institutions and agricultural companies set up displays and talk to students about potential career opportunities.
“I support schools and also create opportunities for our students that will give them an opportunity to see what agriculture looks like, job opportunities, where their food comes from, and maybe teach them exactly what goes behind their food and do some myth busters with them,” Hessdorfer said.
When asked about receiving the honour, she said it felt surreal.
“I don’t know if I really deserve it, but it’s so nice to be recognized for the work that you do in your day-to-day life that maybe you don’t realize you’re even doing,” she said. “It made me really think about what all I’ve done in the industry and all the people I’m connected to, and I just I can’t thank them enough.”
Originally from British Columbia, where her family raised livestock and had an orchard, she later moved to Alberta before settling in Saskatchewan in 2006. Here, she purchased her own acreage and began working with Big Sky Farms before joining the local Co-op Agro, where she met her husband Chris. Today, they farm together near St. Benedict, raising crops and cattle with their sons Corbin and Riley.
When working as an educational assistant, she did not let a worldwide pandemic stop her from teaching people about agriculture and started a YouTube channel featuring videos of life on the farm. She is lifelong learner and an alumnus of both the Next Gen Mentorship Program through Agribition and the Learn to Lead program with SaskOilseeds.
Hessdorfer is a 4-H leader, a former 4-H Saskatchewan employee and serves on the education committee for Canadian Western Agribition. She’s also served as chair of Saskatchewan Women in Agriculture.
Justin Arendt, superintendent of operational services with the Horizon School Division, said Hessdorfer brings the world of farming and food to life for her students.
“She shares her passion for agriculture with energy, humour and warmth, helping young people understand where their food comes from and why it matters,” Arendt said.
The award presentation in Saskatoon on Tuesday was part of an event to celebrate Agriculture Week in Saskatchewan, which runs until Saturday.
