The 2026 Women in Ag Award winners

This year’s AFSC Women in Ag Award recipients are translating expertise into real-world results, developing the next generation of ag leadership, building networks, and bolstering rural communities.

The 2026 recipients are:

• Robyne Davidson – The Innovator
• Laura Brown – The Operator
• Michelle Rigney – The Ignitor
• Dr. Brenda Ralston – The Professional
• Beth Cash – The Promoter
• Alexandra Brochu – The Community Builder
• Lisa Kitt – The Maverick
• Jordyn Prior – The Emergent
• Jackie Rae Greening – The Notable Lifetime Achiever

The 2026 Women in Ag Awards were presented during The Notables, a special reception on March 8 in Calgary. The event was held in conjunction with the 2026 Advancing Women in Agriculture & Food Conference (West).

Strengthening rural Alberta

Robyne Davidson – The Innovator

Robyne Davidson’s work has changed how pulse crops are grown in Alberta.

Working in field crop research since 1992, Robyne has advanced from technical roles to leading her own pulse research program. Over that time, her work has contributed to Alberta’s pulse industry in measurable ways.

Between 2012 and 2015, Robyne led agronomy research focused on red lentil production in Alberta. At the time, lentils were primarily grown in Saskatchewan, and Alberta producers lacked region specific guidance. Robyne and her team developed best-management practices for variety selection, nitrogen-fixing inoculation, seeding rate, fertilizer management and weed control – creating a clear, reliable, Alberta-tested approach to growing lentils in the province.

The results were significant. Alberta’s lentil production increased from 84,400 tonnes in 2014 to 334,200 tonnes in 2022. This fourfold increase happened because producers had research-backed confidence to diversify their cropping systems.

Robyne’s innovation also advanced disease management. In 2003, she identified fungicide insensitivity in six per cent of Alberta field pea samples for Mycosphaerella blight. By identifying the issue early and presenting the findings directly to producers, she supported responsible fungicide use and long-term disease management. Her research on fungicide application technology demonstrated that using a specific sprayer nozzle could reduce fungal disease severity by 15 per cent and increased field pea yields by up to 60 per cent, resulting in direct benefits to producer revenue.

More recently, Robyne has collaborated on research related to Aphanomyces root rot, one of the most destructive diseases affecting field peas and lentils. With no effective control options currently available, her work in surveillance and research is essential to protecting the future of pulse production in Alberta.

Robyne’s innovation extends beyond crops to people. Since establishing her research program in 2012, she has mentored 46 young professionals, the majority of them women. Many now work as agronomists, research technologists, seed and chemical representatives, and farmers.

Robyne also serves in industry leadership roles, including as Secretary of the Prairie Recommending Committee for Pulse and Special Crops, which supports the registration of new pulse varieties for Western Canada.

Laura Brown – The Operator

Raised on a farm south of Stettler, Laura Brown grew up immersed in agriculture.

As a young woman, she worked with her family’s Maine Anjou cattle and travelled across western Canada and the northern United States as an ambassador for the breed, gaining early experience in genetics, marketing and producer relationships.

After marrying Lee Brown of LLB Angus, Laura became fully involved in the ranch operation. She managed registered herd records, bookkeeping and the detailed documentation required in a purebred cattle business, ensuring records were precise and reliable.

LLB Angus’ Annual Spring Spectacular Bull and Female Sale, which is now entering its 40th year, is recognized as the largest Angus production sale in Canada. Laura has been central to  planning and executing the sale for decades,  helping to maintain buyer trust across Canada and internationally.

Beyond the ranch, Laura has served more than 40 years as chair of the Stettler Feeders Association and is believed to be the first woman in Alberta to hold the position. Her leadership has shown that women can guide industry organizations and influence decision-making at the local and regional level.

In early 2025, Laura’s leadership was tested in a deeply personal way. Her husband was killed in a farm accident while feeding their approximately 1,000 head cow herd. Suddenly, she became the primary operator of the business. Within weeks, she carried forward plans for the March 2025 production sale and delivered it successfully.

Strong agriculture depends on strong rural communities, and Laura contributes to both She is deeply involved in her community, supporting her church, hosting gatherings and contributing to local initiatives.

Michelle Rigney – The Ignitor

Michelle Rigney’s impact begins with people.

As a lending coach at AFSC, Michelle works with every new lender entering the lending division. Each year she leads in-person training for approximately 30 new lenders and provides ongoing one-on-one coaching. Over the past five years, she has formally and informally mentored well over 100 team members.

Her role matters because lending knowledge directly affects producers. New lenders must understand policy, how to assess risk, interpret financial statements and structure files responsibly. Michelle focuses on helping new lenders understand the “why” behind lending decisions. That clarity builds confidence, particularly for women entering a traditionally male-dominated field.

Michelle’s impact extends beyond training sessions. Relationship managers often call her for guidance on complex files. She contributes to curriculum design, daily lending updates, and training material updates, helping create a consistent interpretation of policy.

Michelle also supports new and aspiring producers. Since 2022, she has presented at the Young Agrarians Business Bootcamp, where many participants are women starting their first farm business or returning to agriculture. She delivers practical financial education covering lending, cashflow, collateral and risk — often providing participants with their first clear understanding of agricultural finance.

Michelle also contributes to her community through long-standing volunteer work with the Clyde Agricultural Society, school councils and the CONEX coalition focused on mental health and addiction awareness. She is also a purebred beef producer, grounding her mentorship and teaching in experience.

Dr. Brenda Ralston – The Professional

Dr. Brenda Ralston’s career reflects a combination of science, leadership and service.

Her ag career began in the late 1980s as a district agriculturist with Alberta Agriculture, where she worked directly with producers and earned a reputation as an approachable, knowledgeable agrologist. Over time, her work shifted to specialized livestock research, and she pursued her PhD in veterinary parasitology.

Today, Brenda serves as a livestock research scientist at Lakeland College while also co-owning and managing a ranch in Rocky View County. This dual experience allows her to bridge research and real-world production, grounding her recommendations in scientific evidence and practical livestock management.

Her research has addressed some of the cattle sector’s most pressing challenges, including pain mitigation during castration, antimicrobial stewardship and sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. She has collaborated with industry partners, universities and producer groups to support the introduction of welfare-focused pharmaceutical tools, including anesthetic elastrator bands and oral pain relief solutions for cattle. By contributing to practical, science-based solutions, Brenda helps producers meet evolving expectations while maintaining productivity and profitability.

In 2022, she received the Alberta Farm Animal Care Award of Distinction for leadership, innovation and communication in advancing livestock welfare.

Brenda is also a committed educator. At Lakeland College, she integrates students into applied research projects, giving them hands-on experience in data collection, trial design and livestock management. This exposure builds technical competence and prepares students for advanced careers in agriculture. Many of her students have gone on to graduate programs or industry careers, helping diversify and strengthen science based roles in agriculture.

Her volunteer leadership includes the Calgary Stampede Aggie Days committee, the Classroom Agriculture Program and longstanding support for 4-H and rural youth programs, helping connect urban audiences with agriculture and fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Beth Cash – The Promoter

Beth Cash’s work has ensured women’s voices are recognized in southeastern Alberta.

After marrying into a ranching family in Cypress County, Beth immersed herself in agriculture, and today co-operates the family ranch while she serves as the economic development officer for Cypress County. In this role, she ensures that agriculture is recognized not only as a production industry but also as a network of family businesses, women entrepreneurs and community builders. She works to integrate agricultural priorities into local economic strategies, connecting producers, small businesses and municipal leadership.

From 2014 to 2022, Beth owned Rustic Rose, a western lifestyle brand and e-commerce business, where she shared her journey of learning agriculture and highlighted women working in rural industries. Rustic Rose grew to 25,000 followers and supported collaborations that spotlighted rural entrepreneurship and  women producers.

Her most significant initiative is the Ag Connections Conference, launched in 2023 as a one-day professional development event for producers and businesses in southeastern Alberta. The first year the goal was to have 100 attendees. By its second year, more than 450 participants attended.

The conference intentionally includes women as speakers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. By hosting the event locally, Beth removed geographic barriers and expanded opportunity within her region.

Beth also co-founded B & B Blooms, a flower farm that blends agriculture and entrepreneurship. Through this venture and her Cash Cattle Co. platform, she continues to share educational content about ranching and rural life, helping bridge understanding between producers and consumers.

Her leadership extends beyond her local community, serving on the Economic Developers Alberta board and  the Palliser Economic Partnership agriculture board. Beth has represented rural Alberta on a trade mission to Japan, exploring agri-food export opportunities and working to connect local producers to international markets.

Alexandra Brochu – The Community Builder

Following the isolation many rural families experienced during and after COVID-19, Alexandra Brochu saw a need – women in northern agriculture often lacked opportunities to connect, share experiences and support one another. In response, she founded Northern Rural Chicks.

What began as a grassroots initiative quickly became a growing regional network. One of the first gatherings brought women together in person at a time when many were craving reconnection, restoring a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Since then, Northern Rural Chicks has hosted leadership workshops, International Women’s Day events, women’s markets, business sessions and mental-health discussions. These gatherings address common challenges in remote communities, including isolation, burnout and limited access to professional networks. By bringing women together, Alexandra has helped normalize conversations around stress, confidence and leadership in agriculture.

The impact is personal and profound. One participant shared, “For years I thought that I ‘helped’ my husband on the farm. The more I worked with the committee and attended events, the stronger I felt about my role on our farm and now see that I am an integral piece of our farm.”

That shift — from “helping” to recognizing oneself as essential — reflects deeper change. When women see their contributions as essential, they participate more confidently in decision-making, financial planning and operational leadership.

Alexandra also mentors younger women within the committee, teaching them how to lead events, manage logistics and take on public roles. This ensures Northern Rural Chicks is sustainable and not dependent on one person.

Lisa Kitt – The Maverick

As founder of The Homestead Farm, Lisa Kitt practices regenerative agriculture with a focus on soil health, stewardship and resilient local food systems. In a sector that often prioritizes speed and volume, she models an approach rooted in observation, reciprocity and ecological responsibility.

Lisa’s work reached wider audiences through the documentary Women Who Dig, where she was featured as one of five central stories. During a post-screening question-and-answer session, she spoke candidly about soil management, resilience and the realities of being a woman in agriculture.

Her most defining moment as a Maverick came in July 2025. When the Government of Alberta introduced sudden changes to its on-farm slaughter policy without consultation, many small-scale producers faced serious operational consequences. The adjustments potentially threatened the viability of farms that relied on on‑farm processing, leaving producers feeling blindsided.

Lisa chose to speak publicly. She challenged a long-standing pattern in agriculture: policy decisions affecting small producers being made with limited transparency. As a small farmer herself, she faced the possibility of regulatory scrutiny, damaged relationships and financial repercussions.

Shortly after she raised concerns, a senior inspector visited her farm. Despite the pressure, Lisa continued to speak up. She participated in radio interviews, helping the public understand how policy changes affect local food systems.  Within days, the government paused the proposed changes.

Jordyn Prior – The Emergent

At 33, Jordyn Prior represents the next generation of leadership.

Raised on a purebred Angus operation north of Irma, Jordyn’s connection to agriculture began early. She continues to own cattle and assist with calving, herd health management, livestock care and cropping operations.

Professionally, Jordyn has combined agriculture with marketing and community engagement. Through her roles at Co-op, she has supported approximately 130 agriculture-focused events each summer, including 4-H shows, agricultural exhibitions, fundraisers and sponsorship initiatives. These events build relationships among producers, rural businesses and local leaders.

Her most significant contribution is the Co-op Growing Leaders Program. In 2021, as 4-H clubs were rebuilding after COVID-19, Jordyn was entrusted with a $20,000 youth programming budget. Seeing a need, she developed a sponsorship model that eliminated financial barriers for new 4-H members. The program began locally at Cornerstone Co-op and supported 73 new members in its first year.

It has since grown into a province-wide $50,000 initiative supported by 16 Co-ops and Federated Co-operatives Limited. The program sponsors more than 350 new 4-H members each year. As of fall 2025, more than 1,000 youth joined 4-H through this initiative.

Jordyn now serves as the northeast area director on the 4-H Alberta Board of Directors, where she contributes to governance and strategic planning. She also advocates for agriculture through her social media presence, @thealbertafarmHER, amplifying women’s voices in the industry.

Her contributions extend into mental-health support through AgKnow, Alberta’s farm mental health network, and into national agriculture and energy marketing discussions through Federated Co-operatives Limited.

Jackie Rae Greening – The Notable Lifetime Achiever

For more than 40 years in broadcasting, including 36 years at 840 CFCW, Jackie Rae Greening ensured Alberta’s farming families were not just mentioned on air — they were at the centre of the discussion.

When she entered broadcasting in the early 1980s, Jackie was one of few women on the air. Rather than accept those barriers, she built alternate pathways, beginning in marketing roles before returning to the microphone. She eventually rose to senior leadership positions as program director and manager of operations before retiring from CFCW.

Her leadership influenced how agriculture was represented to hundreds of thousands of listeners. In good seasons and difficult ones, she kept producers’ realities at the forefront. During downturns, weather challenges and market pressures, her steady presence reinforced resilience and community pride.

She is also widely credited with helping establish and sustain Meals in the Field, a long-standing CFCW tradition. These special on-farm harvest visits acknowledge the demanding nature of agricultural work and reinforce that producers are valued and seen.

Jackie has been a dedicated champion of the AFSC Women in Agriculture Awards. She has promoted the program on air, volunteered her time as emcee and encouraged nominations across rural Alberta. By using her platform to amplify women’s achievements, she has helped reinforce women’s contributions to the ag sector.

Beyond broadcasting, Jackie has chaired and supported major national and provincial events, volunteered extensively and helped strengthen cultural institutions closely tied to rural life. Her many honours — including induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Country Music Alberta Hall of Fame and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, along with the CCMA Humanitarian Award and an Honorary Doctorate from MacEwan University — reflect the breadth of her impact.

Congratulations to all our 2026 award winners.

840 CFCW is the official media partner for the AFSC Women in Ag Award.