While agriculture still manages to maintain its own identify in the world of politics, increasingly farming is simply a different form of business.
At one time every farm was family operated, and while most remain influenced by a single family unit, the size and scale of farms have made many producers incorporate. They rely on hired staff, and a long list of off-farm expertise to operate.
In that respect they are not a lot different from most small businesses in any community in this country, with the possible exception that large scale farms now require a much larger financial investment than do many small businesses.
When it comes to the Canadian Prairies of course the relationship between farmers and small business is critical.
It is well understood in small rural communities that business does better when farmers do better.
The converse is also true. When the farm economy is impacted by low commodity prices they do not have the extra cash to spend in stores, and the ripple effect is pretty quickly felt.
So while living on the Prairies makes most keenly aware of the relationship, it is always good when that relationship gets some reinforcement.
We see that in the most recent edition of Sask Business Magazine, and its annual listing of the province's most influential women.
Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce was one of the women making the 11th annual edition of the list. One of the reasons Polegi made the list according to the magazine was her agricultural interests.
"She has become a significant bridge between the business community in east-central Saskatchewan and one of its key commercial drivers - agriculture," detailed the magazine article.
"She has been a driving force behind development of Yorkton's first Canola Expo and the Crop Interpretive Centre being developed in the region's largest city," continued the article.
That Polegi was recognized largely because she recognizes how agriculture and business are supportive of each other, and thereby each is important to the other is a positive for farming.
It is important that the significance of agriculture is reinforced to business, to government and to the general public.
We must remember more and more voters are not directly connected to the farm, so they must be continually reminded of the importance of farming to continue to accept taxpayer dollars going to support the sector.
In Polegi's case she said she comes by her dedication to agriculture honestly, having been born and raised on a farm, attaining a degree on the field, and eventually marrying and residing on a farm in the Jedburgh area.
"My passion has always been for agriculture. I'm a farm girl born and raised," she said.
Polegi has lived farming all her life, but most Prairie people can no longer say that. So having her efforts recognized is a definite positive for farming, and that is good for business, and good for all of us.
