Finding Harmony In Farm Transition: 2026 Farm Transition Appreciation Day

We invite you to a unique and insightful conversation to explore the critical role of emotional well-being in farm transition. Presented by AFSC and The Do More Agriculture Foundation.

In recognition of Farm Transition Appreciation Day, we invite you to a unique and insightful fireside chat. This engaging session will explore the critical role of emotional well-being in the farm transition process. Farm transitions are more than just financial and operational shifts; they involve significant emotional and relational changes. Navigating these changes while maintaining personal and family well-being can be challenging.

This fireside chat aims to shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of farm transitions. Moderated by Dr. Merle Massie, Executive Director of The Do More Agriculture Foundation, with panelists: Patti Durand, Lydia Carpenter and Kelly Sidoryk.

About Patty Durand: Patti Durand, based in Humboldt, SK, CA, is a Strategic Action Planner, Author and Speaker at Brightrack Consulting. With a robust skill set that includes Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement, Coaching, Family Enterprise Advising and more, Patti contributes valuable insights to the industry. Patti has guided hundreds of Canadian farm business families to confidently navigate the paths of transition decision making. As a dynamic speaker and workshop leader, Patti aims to provide relatable, actionable ideas to help business families move ahead, together and with certainty. Her positivity, practical experience and strategic brain means Patti can help "move a lot of dirt" quickly toward better solutions.

About Lydia Carpenter: Lydia Carpenter lives and farms in southwestern Manitoba and has worked with 100s of farm and ranch families across Canada and the USA as a professional facilitator and mediator.

Lydia has a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management with a research focus in rural livelihoods. She is a Certified Executive Coach from Royal Roads University and has taken additional training in mediation and negotiation in Canada and the US.

Her passion for the people in agriculture has driven her pursuit of lifelong learning, relationship building and her ongoing work of facilitating hard conversations for farm and ranch families in transition.

About Kelly Sidoryk: Kelly ranches with her family near the border city of Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. They also have operations near Victoire, Sask. and Maidstone, Sask. Her experiences in the ag community have led to a career running their own livestock operation as well as working with families, organizations and individuals to help enhance their situations. When considering the resources of land, finances and people she places emphasis on the “people” component. So many in agriculture have strengths in production and finances but the softer human needs are often overlooked but so important as we work on transitioning operations and transforming lives. She believes that all of us are meant to grow and develop and embraces the opportunity to work with others in this way. The opportunities in agriculture are endless and assisting others to actualize their visions is one of the pieces she most enjoys.