b'The World is My PotatoExuberant agronomist shines on federal youth ag council and with masters research.BY: TREVOR BACQUEMANY PEOPLE ARE content to attend post-secondary school, find a job,federal governments Canadian Agricultural Youth Council.settle in and push the ball forward in life. Well, do not count Colby Robert- It was an opportunity to develop Canadian agriculture while also develop-son as one of those people. The enthusiastic 26-year-old from Carberry, Man.,ing myself, he says. It seemed like a natural opportunity.is about as eager as they come. Chances were slim as more than 800 people across Canada applied. The young man works as an agronomist with a southern Alberta potatoHowever, it was clear Robertsons passion and educational background were processor near Lethbridge, Alta. Robertson enjoys his dream job as he meetsobvious factors which would make him stand out. However, after a prolonged with farmers, reviews seed size profiles on-farm, checks planters to ensureperiod of silence, he resigned himself to the fact he was not chosen. He logged they run properly, monitors for uniform emergence and, post-harvest, collectsin once more just to see who was selected.bin and colour samples. For Robertson, he is gleefully headlong in the tuberI thought I had already missed the boat and I was surprised and excited industry. when I received a notification I had been chosen, he says.Agriculture is my culture, and this is what I want to be in for the rest ofRobertson says the newly formed council brims with innovative ideas from my life, he says. coast to coast.Although he was born and raised in area which is a hotbed of potatoes, heThere have been a lot of ideas that have come to me from otherswas not raised on a farm, yet still developed a passion for spuds. things I never would have thought of through different perspectives that have I thought if I was going to be involved in something thats just notbeen shared and cultures that I would not have been exposed to as easily, he generally cereals or oilseeds, potatoes were unique in that way, he explains.explains. The discussion has been really rich, and it has shown me activities There are many opportunities for specialization. The other side was that I alsowithin Canadian agriculture that I wasnt aware were ongoing.wanted to be connected to my hometown in some way, shape or form and thisTo date, Robertson has been on two separate breakout teams to examine was a great fit. different issues within Canadian agriculture. From there, the smaller group One key way Robertson has worked to ensure agriculture has remainedreports back to the entire council where ideas are later shared with Ma-at the forefront of his life was his recent decision to apply for a seat on therie-Claude Bibeau, the federal agriculture minister.Colby Robertsonis one of 25 Canadians chosen to participate in the federal governments Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. PHOTOS: COLBYROBERTSON50 SPUDSMART.COM WINTER 2021'