Our Board

Arnold Balicki ranches with his wife Peggy, son Leonard and daughter Sarah. They own and operate the LB Ranch located north of Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, where they raise commercial and pure bred Black Angus cattle. Arnold has been involved with the SK VBP Program over a number of years as a presenter, an auditor and as a producer - his ranch is VBP audited. For the past 2 years he has served on AITC-SK board as a producer, representing the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association. He has served on the Board of Directors for Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association since 2005. AITC-SK has a special meaning for him, his daughter worked at AITC-SK during university. Her employment with AITC gave him insight as to what AITC-SK meant and how it brings a greater awareness about agriculture to Saskatchewan students. He has enjoyed serving on the AITC Board of Directors representing the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association.

Keith grain farms South of Lone Rock in NW Saskatchewan where he grows canola, wheat and peas. Part of the farm is at Maidstone where his great grandfather homesteaded as a Barr Colonist. Keith has been involved with SaskCanola since 2017 as a director. He is passionate about promoting agriculture in a positive way and building trust between consumers and farmers. He has a diploma in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan and cherishes the connections that resulted in attaining his degree.

Ashton Wilson, CPA, CA, is a Business Advisor with MNP’s Agriculture Services team in Saskatoon. In her work, Ashton collaborates one-on-one with individuals, small businesses and corporations in the agricultural sector, with a focus on family grain farms. She is experienced with corporate and personal tax planning, operational governance, succession planning, financial reporting and strategic planning. Ashton earned a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm) in accounting from the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business in 2012. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2014.

Heather Boensch was raised on a mixed cattle and grain farm in South Western Saskatchewan. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majoring in Agronomy from the University of Saskatchewan, is a member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (PAg), and Certified Crop Science Consultant (CCSC). Heather has worked in the agriculture industry for over sixteen years and brings experience in the areas of Strategy, Communications, Territory Sales Management, Recruitment, Agronomy, and Market Development. She is the Director of Business Resources for Winfield United where she oversees technical training and professional development, organizational development and financial services for Winfield United Owners.

Sarah Hein is the Director of Public Trust with the Ministry of Agriculture. Sarah leads a team that works closely with the agriculture industry to better understand the factors that impact people’s trust and acceptance of modern agriculture and what steps are necessary to ensure the sector remains trusted, competitive and sustainable. Sarah also works with federal and provincial partners to align public trust efforts and programming. Although Sarah grew up on a dairy farm in Alberta, she is proud to say she now considers Saskatchewan home.

Jackie grew up on a farm north of Saskatoon and still has family members who are farming. She is passionate about sharing knowledge of agriculture and bioscience. Jackie earned a bachelor degree in Visual Communications from the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, AB. Since then, she has had a wide range of work experience, ranging from designing interpretive centres, to co-owner of a weekly newspaper. She has been with Ag-West Bio since 2005, starting as the Communications Assistant, and taking the role of Communications Director in 2008. Jackie's duties at Ag-West Bio include communications strategy, media relations, marketing, social media, publication development and website maintenance. She also works with the bioscience community on a variety of communications and outreach endeavours, including serving as chair for the Biotech Week committee, and coordinating the Science Zone for Ag in the City.

Denise dairy farms with her husband Kevin at McLean, SK. They milk between 170 and 180 cows and farm about 1500 acres of land. Denise and Kevin are proud parents of four grown children and two teenagers. Denise has worked as a teacher, but now devotes all of her time to their farm. She has been a board member for SaskMilk for the past two years. Denise's two main passion are farming and youth. She enjoys every aspect of farming and feels that as farmers they have a wonderful opportunity to work with their own families. Denise also enjoys working with and training young employees on their farm. Outside of farming Denise enjoys participating in music and watching their children's sports activities.

Kathy Doucette is an Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator with Cargill. In her work, Kathy collaborates to lead and deploy strategic initiatives to build a safety first workplace culture. Kathy also leads her peers across the province on key community enrichment programs that focus on promoting food security, nutrition and sustainability. She grew up on a grain farm in Saskatchewan, is inspired by her young daughter, and is confident in the future of agriculture when you provide kids with opportunities to learn, explore, be inquisitive and come to their own conclusions.

John operates a 6,000 acre family farm at Assiniboia, SK where they grow lentils, peas, canola, durum, and spring wheat. Pulse crops account for approximately 25% of their acres. John was a teacher and administrator for thirty years in rural Saskatchewan. He has been an active member of Five Hills Regional Health Authority Board, the Saskatchewan Association of Health Board, and the Viterra Farm Leadership Council Board. He also volunteers for Canadian Blood Services and the University of Regina Senate. John Chairs the Audit & Finance Committee and is a member of the Research & Development and Governance Committees. He also serves on the Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors.