Novelty Sparks Everlasting Connections

This article was originally published by Farming Smarter in the Spring 2025 edition of the Farming Smarter Magazine.

Standing between crop rows as looming tractors rolled by gave a welcomed sense of familiarity to Ryan Mercer on an adventure through unfamiliar lands. As his tour guide pulled the group towards their next stop, he chuckled through a comment about the feeling to the man next to him - who just days before was a stranger.

Almost all of the other 22 travelers with him on his tour through Brazil's agriculture industry was a stranger. But in less than 15 days, it felt like they had all known each other for years.

The Farming Smarter Technical Tour to Brazil in October 2024 showcased new ideas through unique experiences. Yet, the everlasting friendships formed during the trip is what made it a valuable and unforgettable experience.

Better neighbours after traveling to Brazil

What an eyeopener! I'm so glad I joined Farming Smarter on its trip to explore Brazilian agriculture. Even a country that seems to have little in common with Alberta taught me unexpected things.

Brazil seems very different with its main crops of corn, soybean and cotton grown in a climate that bathes them in rain. Ironically, they farm in a jungle and we farm in a desert, but we use the same tools.  

Brazilian farmers began to adopt no till in the 1970s to combat water erosion and have more years using planters than most Alberta producers. The trip so invigorated my appetite for learning that now I visit farms and talk to foreign agronomists whenever I can. 

About 23 of us went on this journey. We were a mish-mash of farm type, age, experiences and locations in Alberta. Once there, we became a family. We were a small knot of Canadians travelling around, learning, sharing and watching out for one another. 

The group that travelled together formed deep relationships that will last for years and possibly generations. We got to know each other even better and found new friends. We had recent high school graduates and retired farmers on this trip and we all came home connected through breaking bread together and sharing both trials and joys in a foreign land.  

Now we have a WhatsApp group and keep in touch. We ask questions about operations, crops, concerns and ideas. We solidified into a small network that shares stories and helps each other. No one has time to go to every conference, field day, or crop meeting, but when you belong to a network, you get the information you need. A couple of our group attended a crop commission meeting in Edmonton and took our southern Alberta concerns to that meeting from all of us. A solid network is many hands making light work. 

Farming Smarter excels at executing events where the people have lots of time to form new relationships and join its network. Developing an agriculture innovation network is a key outcome for the organization. Its events always include interesting speaker sessions punctuated with time for tasty snacks, meals, and time to sink your teeth into conversations.  

This is the function that builds a community of peers to support each other. A Farming Smarter event will put you in the same space with college students, agronomists, industry representatives, scientists and other producers. You will see which businesses support our industry here and listen to experts with ideas to improve your operation.  

The agriculture industry needs strong networks to carry our voices out into the public domain where all Canadians can know that we grow safe food for families. With agriculture representing only 2% of the population, the other 98% need to have confidence our industry is modern, innovative and responsible. It can affect our right to farm, where we fit in provincial and federal budgets, and why they might prefer to buy Canadian.  

I cannot stress enough that Farming Smarter is an existing community where you can find a home. Regardless of your interest or expertise, you will find a place to fit and contribute to the well-being of agriculture in southern Alberta.

In return, the network will supply you with useful interactions, strong relationships and money making opportunities no matter what your role in our industry. Put the Field School, June 25-26 in your calendar and join our exhilarating network. See you there. 

It's not too late to become part of the adventure

While Ryan Mercer ends the recollection of his adventure with a call to attend the Farming Smarter Field School, his excitement fosters a passion for connection far greater than any event that's now come and gone could.

The opportunity to travel to Brazil as a pack of 23 eager farmers and agronomists created memories and bonds that he would have never found otherwise. It was more than a one-time experience for the group - it became an investment into relationships that continue to endure long after the trip ended.

This trip united each individual's desire to learn and forged these connections through shared experiences. The mish-mash of backgrounds were set aside and - in Ryan's words - became a family.

While seats for the next Farming Smarter Technical Tour have filled, there is still an opportunity to become part of the family that will bond in the January 2026 trip to Australia & New Zealand.

Sponsoring the 2026 Technical Tour will connect you to the journey and make your brand part of the story when it's retold long after the trip have come and gone. Support valuable relationships and join us in creating the next chapter of connections and help make this trip another unforgettable experience.

Look into the sponsorship packages below, or visit their webpage to read more about the opportunity to find the best match.