My Journey with the Palette Skills’ Automation and Digital Agriculture Specialist Program
It’s no secret that technological advancements are reshaping industries at a rapid pace and the need for upskilling and staying ahead of the curve has never been more crucial. For me, this journey began with the decision to embark on the Automation and Digital Agriculture Specialist Program offered by Palette Skills. Little did I know that this decision would open doors to a world of opportunities, and a deep passion and appreciation of the entire ecosystem of agriculture.
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team at Palette Skills for curating such an exceptional program. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping my journey. Special thanks to Ednali Fertuck – Zehavi, Christine Stenton, Katherine Farthing, Dania Meyers, Theresa Cashore, Elvis Nwanguma, Fatima Zaredar, Fatema Muhammad, Bibi Haghdan, M.Eng, Michelle Kot, Afua Alagbe, Saman Sefidkar, Fatima K and others for your tireless efforts behind the scenes.
I cannot properly express my immense gratitude to our lead instructors, David Yee and Josie Van Lent. Their expertise and insightful discussions have enriched my understanding of the history of agriculture, the advancements incorporated in this digital age, and the future opportunities.
Also, a huge shout out to our other instructors Sheik M. Pitchai MSc, PMP®, Ruhid Mirzayev, MA, and Farzin Samaei, B.Sc, M.Sc (EMBA) for providing meaningful expert guidance in the realm of agribusiness life cycle strategy, leveraging data and AI for innovation and GIS and all of the possibilities of incorporating into the ecosystems of the ag industry.
And finally, I owe a debt of gratitude to our talented coach, Chris Hubbard for his invaluable mentorship and guidance, which has been pivotal in honing not just my technical skills but also my professional profile and developing a deep understanding of my DISC skills and communication style – and in relation to other styles. This was pivotal and I had many “Ah ha!” moments!
My most transformative opportunity with this journey has been being able to have on-site workshops at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and learning about all of the opportunities and innovations occurring in our own backyard and having great insightful chats with many people like Atul Kumaar Nayyar.
Being able to learn and fly RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – aka Drones). This was a blast, and I felt my gaming days came into play. The instructors Robin Harrison and Jan Zalud with LandView Drones are so patient and knowledgeable. They encouraged real-world discussions and applied practical teachings that set me up for success to take my Transport Canada – Transports Canada exam. Look out folks, I now have my basic pilot license and can operate these aircraft.
Being able to learn about Sprayers with Tom Wolf, and see them in person to understand how they function, the adaptations, and benefits in conjunction with precision farming, and how this technology assists with improved crop growth health.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the opportunity to connect and collaborate with my fellow cohort of participants. Together, we formed a diverse and dynamic unit, each bringing unique perspectives and skill sets to the table. To my peers, I extend my admiration and gratitude for the enriching learning experience we shared. Let us continue to inspire and learn from each other as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital agriculture.
This incredible journey would not have been possible without the generous industry speakers and employer partnerships. Their generous gift of their time and experience through sharing their expertise, joining the networking events, attending employer talent matching day, coaching, and mentoring was paramount to all of our successes in completing this program. Thank you.
As I reflect on the past weeks, I am filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Through the program, I had the privilege of delving into various facets of agribusiness in Western Canada and within Alberta, broadening my horizons with each session. I have been stretched and kneaded in many different areas from understanding nutrient levels within soils, fertilizer bio-molecular composition with various types of crops with moisture, livestock management, farm management, going to market commodities, governance policies, and the various effects from a provincial, national, international, and global stage and how it impacts our agriculture industry.
Participating in the Agri-forward pitch night startup competition allowed me to put my newfound knowledge into practice, culminating in our team, “Fertile Minds,” presenting a beachhead application solution to help address the temporary labour gap for greenhouses. We celebrate our fellow teams in their presentations and innovative ideas. So many learnings were on the menu that night. This success stands as a testament to the transformative power of learning and collaborative innovation.
Sheik M. Pitchai MSc, PMP® I appreciate all your guidance and support with mentoring in preparation for the event and being my stream one instructor.
Thank you to our judges Christopher Johnson, Angela Lum, and Jack Weeks. Along with Decisive Farming by TELUS Agriculture for hosting this event.
Post-graduation, as I stand on the threshold of a new chapter, I am filled with anticipation for the journey ahead. The Automation and Digital Agriculture Specialist Program has equipped me with not just technical skills but also a robust network of industry professionals and a renewed sense of purpose. I am deeply grateful to Palette Skills for empowering me to unlock new horizons in the realms of farm-to-table and beyond.
Hope, to all my past and current colleagues, wishing them every success and a wish for continued lifelong learning, growth, and innovation. I’m eager about the next steps into this exciting field of digital agriculture.
I look forward to transitioning into a Palette Skills Cohort 5 Alumni and being selected to join the 2024 Palette Skills Alumni Advisory Council. The opportunity to pay it forward to the next crop (pun fully intended 
) of participants and industry employers (stay tuned for more updates).
Cheers to the future!
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