Groundbreakers: Cultivating New Paths in Agriculture
Producer Panel Spotlight – Gathering Ground 2025
Every farm has a story — and every generation adds a new chapter. At this year’s Gathering Ground: A Producer Development Day, our Producer Panel – Groundbreakers: Cultivating New Paths in Agriculture brings together three Alberta producers who are redefining what it means to build a farm, a business, and a life rooted in agriculture.
From cider apples to community-supported agriculture to field-to-fork beef, these panelists each bring a different perspective on how creativity, resilience, and community can strengthen the future of Alberta farming.
Andrea Kristin of Grey Arrow Farm (Camrose, AB) is a farmer, author, and photographer whose work celebrates the beauty and grit of local food production. Through her books Fresh Grown and Grow Food, Feed People, Earn a Living, Andrea shares her experiences running a thriving CSA and connecting people to where their food comes from — and why it matters.
Kelli Burdek, co-founder of Prairie Bears Cider Co. near Alberta Beach, started her orchard and cidery as a creative side project during her medical residency. Today, Prairie Bears has become a full-time family venture rooted in sustainability, prairie innovation, and the bold flavours of Alberta-grown fruit. Her story is one of curiosity turned into community — and a reminder that diversification often starts with a simple “what if?”
Jillian Byers of Blue Ridge Farms (Barrhead, AB) operates a multi-species family farm alongside her husband Brett and their children. Together, they raise cattle, pigs, and poultry with a focus on land regeneration, low-stress animal handling, and honest, home-raised food. For the Byers family, farming is both a livelihood and a legacy — a way to ensure their land can sustain many generations to come.
Moderated by Farming Forward, this conversation will explore what it takes to innovate in agriculture without losing touch with the land, community, and core values that built it. Expect honest insights, real-world experiences, and the inspiration that comes from seeing how others are forging their own paths forward.
