Season 2 Episode 1

Did you know women could own cattle before they could vote? In this episode of Digging In with UFA, we learn about the realities, misconceptions and histories of women in agriculture. Joined by beef producer and educator, Josie Pashulka, and rancher and author, Rachel Herbert, we take a look at the reality of women’s roles in Canadian agriculture from generations past to present day. What unique perspectives do they bring to the industry? What does innovation and leadership look like for women in Ag? What role does gender play in the history of legacy ranches and homesteads? Grab your shovels and join us as we dig into another fascinating topic on Digging In with UFA.

Our Guests

Josie Pashulka - Rusylvia Cattle Co.

Josie Pashulka and her husband Ken co-founded the Rusylvia Cattle Co. 31 years ago. With the help of their three sons, they operate the 400-cow operation in Derwent, Alberta. Josie advocates for producers and helps strengthen the industry as an Alberta Beef Producers Delegate. She also leads the industry as an educator and a preeminent voice in artificial insemination at Lakeland College, where she helps train the next generation of livestock professionals. She has been recognized for her work with a 2025 Women in Ag Award by Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) highlighting her impact, resilience and dedication to agriculture.

Rachel Herbert - Trail’s End Beef

Rachel Herbert co-owns and operates Trail’s End Beef near Nanton, Alberta, where she and her husband Tyler raise grass-fed, grass-finished, red and black Angus cattle using regenerative practices. As advocates for sustainability, their ranching model emphasizes rotational grazing, watershed protection and ecological stewardship of native grasslands in Porcupine Hills. Holding an MA from the University of Calgary, Rachel is the author of Ranching Women in Southern Alberta, a groundbreaking book that challenges myths and highlights the vital roles women have played in ranching history. As a fourth-generation rancher raising the fifth, Rachel draws on her family’s deep roots in Alberta ranching, including stories of her great-grandmother’s resilience during the Great Depression.

About UFA

UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909. The co-operative was formed by farmers, for farmers, with the belief that we can accomplish more when we work together. 116 years later, UFA has grown into one of Canada's largest and most progressive agricultural co-operatives, offering the products, services and support for the farmers and ranchers who feed the world. As a co-operative, UFA is member-owned and today, its membership has grown to over 180,000. UFA continues the movement started over a century ago by serving and advocating for members of the agricultural community and beyond. At the heart of this commitment is ensuring the voice of the farmer is brought to the decision-making table. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.

Credits

Host: Dr. Don Shafer, PhD

Guests: Josie Pashulka, Rachel Herbert

Senior Writer: Eric La Febre

Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk

Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker

Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith

Contributor: Trish Nixon

Welcome to Diggin In With UFA: Season 2

It takes a certain kind of ambition to do what farmers do. Between the hours and the hard labor, to the public scrutiny and bureaucratic maze running, it's not an easy task. While the agriculture industry feeds millions quietly tilling and producing behind the scenes, many forget that our food comes from the hands of real people with real stories.

Join us as we share stories from those with boots on the ground and unearth unique perspectives on
agriculture's biggest conversations. It's time to grab your shovel and get to work.

#podcast #farming

Digging in with UFA - Weather and Agriculture

Farmers rely on some level of predictability. Season over season, being able to forecast a certain amount of rainfall is a more difficult task. Is this something new or, like the farmers and ranchers of generations past, is Mother Nature just keeping us on our toes? This week we are digging in on Weather and Agriculture. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with the CEO of the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, both nationally and provincially, Janice Tranberg and Rancher, Comedian and Youtube Personality known commonly as Quick Dick McDick, Dickson Delorme, while we dig to the root of Canadian Agriculture's most pressing topics. Guided by our host Don Shafer in partnership with UFA Co-operative, we’re ready to dig in. Are you?

#podcast #farming