Clare Rennie

Honorary Chair: Dr. J. C. (Clare) Rennie (Guelph, ON) – An agricultural consultant who served in a leadership role for many years at the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Semex Alliance.

Ted Young

Chair: D. E. (Ted) Young (Guelph, ON) – President and CEO of Edward Young International Inc. EYI Inc. owns and manages two operating companies which service the domestic and international marketplaces. Ted also operates the family farm near Wiarton, Ontario, where he is actively involved in the beef industry with a herd of Hereford Beef cattle. Ted enjoyed a long career in public service, having worked for a variety of government departments and Crown corporations provincially and federally. Current volunteering includes serving for many years with the University of Guelph Alumni Association (UGAA), where he presently holds the office of Vice President of External Affairs, and also serving as the Senate Representative for the OAC Alumni Association. Ted has played a major leadership role with the competition, having held many offices since its inception in 1995.

John MacDonald

President: John J. MacDonald (St. Nicholas, PEI) – Retired to his farm and continues to represent the Canadian Federation of Agriculture at Canadian 4-H Council. President of the 4-H national program in 2000 and is currently a trustee with the Canadian 4-H Foundation. Is also a director on the Summerside Port Inc., represents PEI Cattle Producers on Canada Beef Inc., board member of the PEI Farm Practice Review Board, sits on the East Prince Environment Committee and is a representative on the Church Finance Committee.

Adam Meyer

Past-President: Adam Meyer (Milton, ON) – A professional agrologist currently working with the Economic Development Division of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs in Guelph, Ontario. Adam has held previous roles in agribusiness, notably with grain merchant Parrish & Heimbecker, Ltd. and industry association Pulse Canada. A graduate of the University of Manitoba in Agroecology & Agribusiness (Hons.), Adam has been heavily involved in student and youth programs.

Kim McCaw

Vice-President: Kim McCaw (Guelph, ON) – Kim McCaw grew up on a beef, dairy, cash crop farm and is currently an Inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. She graduated from the University of Guelph (BSc), completed a Diploma in Human Resources Management and is currently enrolled in a MSc. program.

Kim volunteers as a 4-H leader assisting members with showing beef, dairy cattle, and goats at Ontario fairs. She has also been actively engaged with the Junior Farmers Association of Ontario for over a decade. Kim enjoys playing competitive sports, coaching and playing soccer, as well as showing and riding draft horses. She has a passion for antique tractors and marketing locally and internationally with her boyfriend.

Tammy Fischer

Tammy Fischer (Guelph, ON) – Tammy Fischer was raised on a farm in Bruce County where she was an active 4-H member and now leader. She attended the University of Guelph and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Agricultural Business. At Guelph, Tammy served as President of the Student Federation of the Ontario Agriculture College. She has always been very involved in community events, and was honoured to be crowned Ontario Queen of the Furrow in 2010, and CYSA Champion in 2011. Tammy is currently working as an Analyst with TD Canada Trust Agriculture Services.

Brian Innes

Brian Innes (Ottawa, ON) – Growing up on a dairy farm in Oxford Country, Brian is a past winner of the competition and an enthusiastic advocate for Canadian agriculture. He holds agricultural degrees from the University of Guelph and the University of Saskatchewan. Brian has worked as a communications, policy and government relations consultant and is currently with the Canola Council of Canada.

Richard Kuntz

Richard Kuntz (Regina, SK) – A 25 year employee with Farm Credit Canada, Richard has held several positions within FCC over his career in both the Ontario and Saskatchewan Regions. Currently a Senior Analyst in the FCC Management Software Division, he can be seen at Canada’s Major Farm shows coast to coast providing agricultural producers with demonstrations of Farm Accounting and Crop Production Management Software. Richard is currently located at FCC corporate headquarters in Regina, Sask. where he lives with his wife Barbara.

Anna Marie O'Connell

Anna Marie O’Connell (Guelph, ON) – Now a Supervisor with the City of Guelph, formerly with Farm Credit Canada, and has been involved with the competition for a number of years.

Owen Roberts

Owen Roberts (Guelph, ON) – Owen Roberts has held the position of Director of Research Communications at the University of Guelph for nearly 25 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts (communications) from the University of Windsor, a Master of Science (rural extension studies) from the University of Guelph, and a Doctorate of Education (agricultural education) from Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University. At Guelph, Owen is an adjunct professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science and teaches agricultural communications, which includes a module on effective speech writing and delivery. Several CYSA winners are his former students.

April Stewart

April M. Stewart (Huntingdon, QC) – A public relations consultant and agricultural and rural communications strategist, April is also a sixth generation dairy farmer in Quebec. A graduate of McGill University, she's an eager industry agvocate who is determined to ensure the sustainability of rural regions and family farms. She is the Quebec representative for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, sits on several committees for her local Community Economic Development & Employability Corporation, and writes for The Quebec Farmers' Advocate, Quebec's only English farm newspaper.

Gerry Sullivan

Gerry Sullivan(St. John's, NL) A graduate of Memorial University is the Agriculture Awareness and AgriTourism Coordinator with the NL Federation of Agriculture, Owner and Brand Specialist of Signature Experience, and publisher of Healthy Living NL Magazine. Gerry is President of 4-H Newfoundland and Labrador, a director of the Canadian 4-H Council and an active member of the NL Association of Professional Speakers.

Marie Winter (Simcoe, ON) – Program Manager with 4-H Ontario. Has been a proud committee member since 2002.

Anne McGee

Secretary-Treasurer: Anne McGee (Guelph, ON) – Served as Secretary of the competition since 1989, and has been heavily involved with the competition over that 20 year period. Completed a 25 year career with Farm Credit Canada.