About Us

Who We Are

Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Inc. (CYSA) delivers an annual, bilingual youth competition at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair as part of Youth Weekend. This national competition provides youth an opportunity to develop public speaking and communication skills by expressing their opinions and ideas on current topics related to agriculture and agri-food. The competition originated in 1985 in honour of International Youth Year and was originally sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The competition includes both junior (11-15) and senior (16-24) categories and is judged by bilingual communications and industry professionals from across the agriculture and agri-food sectors. Cash prizes are awarded to finalists and there is significant opportunity for competitors to enjoy the media spotlight, potential employer exposure, and subsequent speaking engagements.
CYSA connects directly with Canadian youth and serves as an independent incorporated body. CYSA also connects with youth via government and NGOs, educational institutions, the agricultural and agri-food industries, families of youth, alumni, the Canadian public, and youth programs across the country.

Empowering Agriculture Advocates

At CYSA, we empower future agricultural leaders by honing their public speaking skills and fostering engagement with the industry. Through our programs, participants gain incentives to become involved in agriculture while voicing their concerns and receiving recognition for their abilities.

Bridging Communities for Agriculture

Our initiatives bridge rural and urban communities, raising awareness about vital agricultural issues. We provide a platform for articulate young voices to express their views, cultivating confidence and understanding among diverse audiences for a stronger agricultural future.

CYSA Board of Directors

Leadership Team

Chair: D. E. (Ted) Young (Guelph, ON) – President and CEO of Edward Young International Inc., Ted operates the family farm at Wiarton, Ontario, with Hereford beef cattle, and an aggregate stone quarry. He also owns and operates a language training studio in Guelph. Ted enjoyed a long career in public service, working for several government departments and corporations.

President/Treasurer/Registrar: 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. President/Treasurer/Registrar: 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.

Vice Chair: Gerry Sullivan (St. John’s, NL) – An alumnus of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Gerry is an entrepreneur that has been working in the areas of operations innovation and research for alternative high-quality procedures and products to advance traditional products in various sectors from mining to oil and gas, to aquaculture and agriculture.

Prior to entering the private sector, Gerry worked 4 years at Memorial University in the senior executive office and provided project management with a focus in logistics planning and training. Since moving to the private sector, he has been working on project and risk management for over 15 years in the areas of protocol implementation, project planning, and
quality assurance.

Lydia Parker (Rockwood, ON) –Lydia Parker is the proud winner of the 2012 CYSA Senior division and has sat on the board as both a Youth Representative and board member. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College and has enjoyed working in both the agri-chemical and agricultural technology industry since graduating. Because of her love for Canadian agriculture, public speaking and agricultural advocacy, Lydia is delighted to sit on a board that provides young people with a platform to share their insights and optimism for our industry. She currently resides with her husband and daughter on their multi-generational family farm outside Rockwood, Ontario, where they raise sheep and beef cattle.

Pat Dares (Guelph, ON) – Although Pat did not grow up on a farm, she has a love for the land, animals and people who work in agriculture to provide food for us all. Pat has worked in agricultural administration for more than 25 years and previously in customer service. Recently retired from Kahntact Marketing, Pat enjoyed her time there as it offered plenty of opportunity to channel her experience into helping clients meet their marketing and advertising goals.

Pat enjoys people and learning new things, so when asked to join the CYSA board in 2017, it was with great enthusiasm. She is continuously impressed with and engaged by the Canadian youth who care so passionately about our food and agriculture.

Pat has adult children and many grandchildren with whom she loves to share information that will help them develop an appreciation for our food and farming systems. When not at work or with her family, she loves to explore new roads on her motorcycle or travel to new places. Tasting new food in new places and meeting the local people who produce it never gets boring!

Honourary President: John J. MacDonald (St. Nicholas, PEI) – Retired to his farm with wife Cynthia, and continues to represent the Canadian Federation of Agriculture at 4-H Canada. John was president of the national 4-H program in 2000, and is currently a trustee with Canadian 4-H Foundation. He is a director of Summerside Port Inc., represents PEI Cattle Producers on Canada Beef Inc., is a trustee for PEI 4-H Trust Fund, sits on East Prince Environment Board, and is a member of his church finance committee. John was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2013.

CYSA Poster

Want to help promote the CYSA public speaking competition at your school? Download our poster!