ELK POINT - Each year, Agriculture Finance Services Corporation (AFSC) presents Women in Ag awards to women who help shape the future of agriculture in Alberta with their leadership, resilience and dedication. This year, two of the eight recipients from across the province are from our area, Josie Pashulka from the Rusylvia area south of Elk Point and Janice Wirsta of Stoney Lake.
The list of winners calls Pashulka ‘The Operator’ and Wirsta ‘The Igniter,’ highlighting the roles that they play in agriculture on their purebred and commercial livestock operations and beyond.
Josie Pashulka of Rusylvia Cattle Co. has been an Alberta Beef Producers delegate for five years, advocating for producers and strengthening the industry, has served as an auditor for Verified Beef Production for 12 years, assessing beef operations for on-farm food safety and has played leadership roles in the Canadian Maine-Anjou Association, Along with instructing Lakeland College students in artificial insemination, she has been a longtime supporter of 4-H, including judging at last May’s Elk Point 4-H Beef Club Achievement Day.
Janice Wirsta is the Northeast Area Director and Treasurer for 4-H Alberta, with a strong dedication to the 4-H program from her own eight years as a member and more than 10 years as a leader as her two daughters showed their many projects in the Elk Point 4-H Beef Club. She and her daughters were part of last weekend’s 14th annual sale of bulls and heifers at K-Cow Ranch, where she is involved in the financial and operational management that ensures long term sustainability. Off the ranch, she is an agricultural lender at ATB, helping to assist others achieve their financial goals.
Wirsta says she is, “Truly honoured to be recognized amongst this group of amazing women in Agriculture, who have done some extraordinary work in the industry.” She thanked Amber Campbell for the nomination, and the sponsors, “Not only for their sponsorship of the awards, but for providing me with the opportunity to do what I love every day - helping producers with their financing needs while balancing my life on the ranch with my family. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners for their contributions to agriculture.”
The other award winners include agriculture researcher Sheri Strydhorst, veterinarian Mariana Guerra-Maupome, 4-H and rural tradition advocate Nikki Peltzer, renewable resources advocate Kendra Donnelly, veterinarian Amanda Elzinga-Pugh and founder of farmers market and growers cooperative Leona Staples, all strong advocates of agriculture and women’s involvement and leadership roles in the industry.
