COACHING, TRAINING
& PEOPLE STRATEGIES
Editor’s Note:
Recollections and Reflections is a new column celebrating prairie history and 50 years of the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. Linda Braun is writing the column as we look back on the history of agri-culture during this important SAHF anniversary year.
The Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame, organized in 1971 and honouring its first inductees in 1972, continues to recognize and honour provincial agricultural
leaders. More than 225 inductees grace the Hall of Fame. There is no better time than now to recollect, reflect and revisit these inductees of Saskatchewan agriculture as The Western Producer too begins to look
back at its origins, beginning in1923.
Mike Raine, Editor
Saskatchewan agriculture is
built on a solid foundation
of exceptional leaders, who
mobilize others to achieve shared
aspirations. Exemplary leaders
model the way, inspire a shared
vision, challenge the process, enable
others to act and encourage
the heart.
Adele Buettner, who was installed in the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2020, is a champion of agriculture and
food and has provided leadership to a number of agriculture organizations,
including Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.
Her extensive efforts in building public trust, education and marketing are well regarded by farmers and ranchers, chefs, culinary educators and consumers.
Buettner served on the Canadian Western Agribition board during the same period as Audrey Horkoff, who entered the hall of
fame in 2009.
Horkoff, a farmer, wife, mother and grandmother, was chair of Agribition in 1997 and co-chair of ACRE, the Action Committee on Rural Economy in 2000, providing recommendations for legislative
and policy change in provincial agriculture.
She and her husband, Don, have maintained purebred Charolais and Hereford cattle and were active in purebred associations. Later they converted their land base into an organic operation.
Both women remain active today in the industry, Buettner with her marketing and communications firm, AgriBiz Communications in Saskatoon, and Horkoff on the farm at Kamsack, providing support
for her son, who now runs that operation.
Although busy with work and family life, Buettner and Horkoff continue to challenge the process and enable others to act through volunteerism.
Buettner participates in community
organizations such as the Canadian Women in Food Network, the North Saskatchewan
Business Association and Women’s
Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan. She hosts a Monday morning executive group to support peers throughout the COVID-19
crisis.
Saskatchewan leaders look to the future of agriculture
Adele Buettner is a champion of agriculture and food.
Audrey Horkoff chaired the Canadian Western Agribition board in 1997 and the Action Committee on Rural Economy in 2000.
Horkoff has, for numerous years,been involved and chairs the Assiniboine Valley Health andWellness Foundation. Initially she assisted with fundraising and building the physical structure and now chairs the foundation.
This brought four physiciansand a dentist to the clinic and district hospital, providing
emergency and essential health care to area communities. She is a long-serving member of Trackside gardens, lending her green thumb to beautify the community
for its citizens as well as area tourists.
Family is important to these women. Buettner is thankful her daughter and extended family reside in the Saskatoon area. Horkoff ’s five adult children and
their families meet to celebrate holidays and family gatherings at the farm, which she loves.
When asked where her drive for all things agriculture comes from, Buettner says, “it comes from my passion and enthusiasm for the industry coupled with the right
mix of career fulfillment and professional
challenge. It is also due in large part to the clever, dedicated, creative and genuine people I have worked with and for.” Horkoff said she has always livedin an agriculture based community and initially farmed out of
necessity after losing her first husband but continued “because the best people are agriculture people.”
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Buettner’s advise to women in agriculture today is, ”be respectful,build a meaningful network, enjoywhat you do,” while Horkoff suggests,“if you truly want to be in
agriculture, the door is open to all types of opportunities.”
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"As a farmer's daughter, with roots deep in Saskatchewan soil,
“As a farmer’s daughter, with roots deep in Saskatchewan soil, I look forward to our province continuing to be a world leader in food production, research and innovation.
We produce healthy, nutritious food with a vested interest in building public trust and sustainability. I am proud of Saskatchewan’s
agricultural sector and hope that doors continue to open for farmers, ranchers, agronomists, researchers, ag business, processors and marketers.”
As a long-time farmer, who maintains
that there is no better place to
raise a family, Horkoff has concerns
about the growing size of
operations.
While understanding why it is
happening, she is concerned about
the impact socially on the family
and the farm community. Her
hope for the next generation is that
“there is a place for them and
opportunities to enter the industry.”
She ponders opportunities such
as growing local, tracking food
products and direct marketing that
may open the door for new and or
smaller operations.
These two Agricultural Hall of
Fame inductees have always and
continue to live by the exemplary
practices mentioned at the beginning
of the column, and our world
has benefitted from their contributions.