Celebrating Women in Agriculture

Celeste Lopreiato, owner of The Conscious Farm Kitchen, delivers locally sourced meals in Southern Ontario. Passionate about small-scale farming, she aims to connect urban consumers with seasonal produce while emphasizing the importance of preserving farmland and revitalizing rural areas to encourage young people to pursue farming. As a woman in agriculture, she is passionate about growing organic produce and crafting plant-based products that support healthy communities and a healthy planet.

Ali and Jess Oppenlaender are the passionate duo behind Liebling Wines, where they combine their love for sustainable farming and winemaking. As women in agriculture, they manage every aspect of their vineyard, from growing the grapes to crafting small-batch wines that reflect their deep connection to the land.

Alexandra, founder of Alexandra’s Farm, is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture. As a woman in agriculture, she grows organic, nutrient-rich produce and is dedicated to promoting healthy, eco-friendly farming practices.

Cheyenne Sundance is the founder of Sundance Harvest and an inspiring community builder! Cheyenne started working at the intersection of agriculture and social justice at the young age of 23 and just like her pea field, the impact of her work has been growing bigger ever since.

Almost 20 years ago, this farmer took a leap of faith and bought farmland in the Erin region, not knowing what it could become. Now, Val Steinman is the lead farmer at Heartwood Farm & Cidery, a small but mighty regenerative farm that grows a variety of products in harmony with the seasons and the cycles of nature. Passionate about conversations, Val believes sharing knowledge is the best way for farmers to help improve our local food systems.

Avia Eek has been involved in agriculture for over three decades and is a farmer in the Holland Marsh, where she grows carrots and onions commercially in this unique, organic-rich soil region. Avia is also a local councillor for King Township in York Region, a position she’s held since 2010. She is a passionate advocate for agriculture, driven by her experiences of the challenges faced by farmers. Avia believes in the importance of women’s perspectives in leadership roles and is proud to have made a difference in her community.

Jacqueline Dwyer, co-founder of the Toronto Black Farmers Collective, was inspired to pursue agriculture after realizing of the importance of culturally relevant food systems. Her background and connection to her Jamaican heritage fueled her passion for growing food that resonates with her culture. She advocates for access to healthy food and land, highlighting the need for collaboration among women to create sustainable opportunities in agriculture.

Trained farmer and Board Chair for Country Heritage Park, Liz Lambrick has been a successful cash crop farmer for over 25 years along the Niagara Escarpment. Liz is passionate about women joining the agricultural field and stresses the importance of utilizing the land we have during the seasons it is available.

Mel Luymes, a freelancer in agriculture, founded Headlands Ag-enviro Solutions to help start important conversations and create successful agricultural businesses. She emphasizes the importance of women in the industry and sustainable practices like reduced tillage and cover crops. She advocates for better conversations around agriculture and environmental stewardship, aiming to connect farmers and strengthen the local food economy in Ontario.

Buchi Onakufe is a microbiologist, owner, and lead farmer of Akachi Farms: a sustainable near-urban agriculture enterprise in the Greenbelt. She believes food is health, health is happiness, and happiness is a strong community. By using her medical background to grow organic crops she hopes to improve community health by connecting with nature.

Inspired by growing up on a hobby farm with her mom, Gail Winters started GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co. in 2017. Dedicated to making farm-raised beer, Gail has created a hyper-local drinking experience that is sustainable and connects community members to each other and the land. She encourages anyone who might be hesitant to take the leap and start farming.

With over 30 years of experience as a business owner, farmer, mayor, and the current Executive Director of the Greater Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance, Janet Horner continues to play an important role in advancing agri-food policy in Ontario. Janet stresses the importance of maintaining a thriving local food industry, because of how interconnected everything is to each other and advises anyone who is interested in agrifood to not be afraid and speak up.