It’s Time to Fully Embrace Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility in Ag

Increasingly, we are collaborating with clients to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) lens to our work on projects within the agri-food industry and rural communities.

For example, we supported the Do More Agriculture Foundation on its Measuring Impact & Identifying Future Action project. Through this work, Do More Ag sought to better understand the state of mental health awareness, educational offerings, and resource delivery in the Canadian agricultural industry. In the process, we explored the experiences and needs of traditionally underrepresented groups in the industry. We developed recommendations to help recognize the diversity within the industry, promote inclusivity, and advance efforts to support mental health.

Through the engagement activities for this project, people underscored the importance of IDEA to support the vibrancy and success of the Canadian agricultural industry. Everyone – no matter their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity – must feel safe and welcome to participate in the industry and reach their full potential. We need a diversity of perspectives to find solutions to the challenges our industry faces, such as climate change and labour gaps. We need to work together to produce safe and high-quality agricultural products for our fellow Canadians and consumers around the world.

While the increasing conversations about IDEA within our industry give us hope, recent events in our rural communities underscore that much work remains to be done. Norwich Township in Oxford County, for example, enacted a bylaw which bans non-governmental flags (including Pride flags) on municipal properties. People are also protesting at drag story time events, including in Midland, Parkhill, and Woodstock, Ont.

As we kick off Pride Season, we at Wilton Consulting Group are proud to help celebrate 2SLGBTQI+ communities and their allies. Let’s embrace diversity to strengthen our rural communities and our agricultural industry.