Our 2026 Executive
Our executive team is elected each year at our annual general meeting (AGM) in January and represents a broad range of experience in agriculture communications. We are always happy to hear from our members. If you would like to sit on the 2027 board or have any comments, suggestions, questions or updates, please drop us a line.
Amanda
President
Amanda is an award-winning communicator with more than 25 years’ experience providing communications services for a variety of industries and organizations – the last nine years have been spent with a variety of agricultural organizations.
Vanessa
Vice-President
Vanessa is a farm writer and agriculture journalist with many years of experience. Her primary output includes feature articles, sponsored content, research summaries and ghostwritten thought leadership pieces aimed at the agriculture industry and general public. Her main focus these days is field crops (cereals, oilseeds, pulses), plant breeding and agricultural research. She also has a habit of writing about horticultural crops. Potatoes are a particular favourite, but she has never met a vegetable she wasn’t interested in. Ditto for fruit.
Ronda
CFWF Representative
A writer since she could hold a pen, Ronda Payne is passionate about her craft. A regular contributor to Country Life in BC, Manure Manager, Orchard & Vine and a wide range of other publications both consumer and trade-facing, she also writes for businesses who need their story told (be it a case study, blogging or articles). Ronda continues to grow in her writing career while she joyfully lives in Maple Ridge in “yet another” renovation project home with her husband and pets. Her side passion is wandering her yard and greenhouse talking to the plants.
Julia
Director at Large
Julia Smith is a farmer and agricultural communicator based in the Thompson–Nicola region of British Columbia. She is the Executive Director and a founding member of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association and serves on the board of Farmers for Climate Solutions. Her work focuses on agricultural policy, education, and practical, farmer-driven approaches to building resilient food systems.
Tars
Treasurer
Tars is the publisher of Western Canada Dairy News.
Myrna
Secretary
I’m a freelance agricultural writer, photographer, and accredited communications professional with work appearing numerous publications. My communications practice focuses on strategy and media relations; skills built through years in the private sector and all levels of government. As a long time board member with BCFWA, SFWA, and CFWF, and a past president of CFWF, I’m proud to support the community of agricultural storytellers who are colleagues and friends. Most of all, I’m grateful to the farmers, researchers, and innovators who generously share their time and insight. Their openness has helped my work earn national and international recognition and keeps my job meaningful, educational, and fun.
Clayton
Director at Large
Clayton is a Professional Agrologist and his career has crossed among various livestock sectors and government and offers significant experience in governance, risk management, and risk communications, particularly around zoonotic diseases, as well as emergency preparedness and response.
Cathy
Membership
Cathy Glover is the publisher of Country Life in BC. Prior to joining Country Life in BC in 1997 as beef editor, she worked for Western Living and House and Home magazines and produced newsletters for virtually every association she has been a member of, including several horse groups, the BC Angus Association, BC Farm Writers and a genealogical society.