June 2019 - 31

FGN
seven
Q&A WITH
LISA JENEREAUX
Lisa Jenereaux is a fifthgeneration
farmer from
the Annapolis Valley, Nova
Scotia. She is co-owner
of Spurr Brothers Farms,
a 1,000-acre mixed fruit
and vegetable operation
with a packing facility and
retail market.
Before coming to
the farm, she moved to
Ontario and received
her travel and tourism
diploma. She worked
in the travel industry
for several years before coming back to Nova Scotia
and eventually to the farm. She found a real passion
for growing food and decided to take on the apple
operation. Over 17 years, she has diversified the business
into many other crops, brought in innovation and
secured a reliable workforce.
Jenereaux has no formal training in agriculture, so
she relied on conferences, associations and industry
leaders for her education. She likes to give back to the
industry that supported her by giving of her time to
boards and committees. She is currently a director on
the board of Scotian Gold Cooperative, the president of
the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) and serves
on multiple committees. She also founded a support
and mentoring group called the Women's Network,
which helps empower women working in the tree fruit
industry.
In 2015, Spurr Brothers Farms received the Grower
Award from IFTA and the Outstanding Farmer Award
from the Nova Scotia Institute of Agrologist.
Jenereaux loves spending time with her husband
Keith and daughter Mercy. She enjoys traveling,
gardening and attending concerts.
1What are the best words of advice you've ever
received?
Don't be afraid to let your voice be heard. Diverse thoughts and opinions
only make us stronger.
2 What are your goals for the next 12 months?
On the farm, I want to have a clear five-year plan laid out. We have had a
lot of changes at our farm over the past few years. We now need to step back
from the dust that is settling and develop a strategy. We have already started
the process with evaluating our many crops and current skill set. I'm very excited
about the future of our farm. At IFTA, it's amazing to me how much the needs
of this organization have changed over the years. Our management company,
board and committees are working very hard to put systems in place to make
sure IFTA is there for another 60 years. Sustainability is key.
3What do you
do to relax?
I love going to hear live
music, puttering around
my garden and going
to the shore with my
family.
4 What would you like to
be your lasting legacy?
That the farm will successfully move to the
sixth generation.
I also hope, I have positively influenced the
younger generation of women that want to
be in agriculture or leadership roles.
5What are the top three things on your
bucket/must-do list?
* Spend my winters someplace warm.
* Travel to Japan.
* Have a cottage by the ocean.
6What work would
you have pursued
if you had not been
in the fruit and
vegetable industry?
I have a diploma in travel and
tourism and I spent some time
in the hotel industry and as a
travel agent. I still love a lot of
things about that industry so
I would probably be an event
planner at a hotel or resort.
7What is the one truth
you've learned about
the fruit and vegetable
industry?
The truth is we have the best people
in our fruit and vegetable industry.
Agriculture is a wild ride that can only
be navigated with strong people. There
is camaraderie because we understand
the lows of a lost crop and the highs
of a bumper crop. We share ideas and
information because we want to see
people succeed. I am so fortunate that I
have found a home in agriculture.
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FGN | JUNE 2019 | 31
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June 2019

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