Robin Young is a food scientist and the director of Manitoba Agriculture’s Value Added Branch which includes the Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie. Young grew up on a small mixed farm in Newdale, Manitoba, where she participated in 4-H. Her admiration for the 4-H specialists who mentored her inspired her to pursue food science and set her on a career path in agri-food. Here, Young speaks to the intersection between digital agriculture and food development, and the most exciting things happening in agri-food today.
Describe your job or product in one sentence.
I am the Director of the Value Added Branch in Manitoba Agriculture which works to accelerate the growth of the food and agri-product sector with business development, as well as product commercialization expertise at the Food Development Centre.
What first piqued your interest in agriculture and agri-food?
I was always interested in understanding where the crops we grew and the cattle we raised were destined and how they’d end up as bread, oil and steak.
What was your first job in the agriculture or agri-food sector?
I had many “jobs” on the farm [growing up] and my favourites were working with our cattle, especially during calving season.
My first formal role in agri-food was in food processing, and I worked in various facilities during summer breaks from university – a dairy plant, a grain analysis lab, a commercial bakery – before getting my first full-time role at Simplot in Portage la Prairie.
What brought you to your current role?
I’ve been fortunate to have had opportunities for growth both in industry and also in the public sector. I believe it’s my experience in the food industry, including leadership roles, that has made me a fit for my current role in overseeing a business development aspect and also a technical aspect of services for the food industry in Manitoba.
How does digital agriculture or agtech play a role in your current job?
My current job is to provide supports and tools to the food industry.I lead the Food Development Centre team, which provides technical expertise to food companies as they develop new products.
What role does agtech play in food production?
Using technology in food manufacturing helps us manage variabilities. Every food product is made from an agricultural product and there is variance in each product due to the biological nature of the ingredients, and the environment products are grown in. Materials must be analyzed before they are processed to ensure consistency, as variability in the crops affects a number of end product attributes including moisture, density, colour, and nutritional properties. In-line sensors and trained operators use agtech tools to manage the production process and can make changes to the processing parameters throughout production to ensure the end products consistently meet customer expectations.
What’s your favourite part about working in agri-food?
The agri-food industry is very dynamic and responds to customer demand by providing new products. We work with Manitoba companies and get to see their innovative products come to market and assist them as they grow and expand. It’s very rewarding to know that the tools and resources created by our team are assisting in that growth.
What’s the most interesting thing you see happening in agri-food right now?
It’s exciting to see the focus on circularity in the agri-food sector with companies seeking ways to upcycle waste streams into marketable products. Consumer interest and acceptance of upcycled products appears to be increasing and the industry seems to be gaining traction. It’s not necessarily a new concept, but there is emphasis on increasing the value of waste streams and diverting them from lower value uses. The focus on circularity, and using all parts of a product, is so important to the long-term sustainability of our industry.
This profile is part of EMILI’s This is Agriculture series, highlighting talented and diverse individuals across the digital agriculture sector. While individuals working in agriculture come from a variety of backgrounds, they share a common interest in growing and strengthening Canadian agriculture to ensure an environmentally and economically sustainable future for generations to come.