In addition to auditing farms and enforcing compliance to the national standards of Chicken Farms of Canada, during times of emergencies, it is my job to liaise on behalf of farmers- to whomever is handling the emergency at hand. During the Abbotsford flooding, I worked night and day, 7 days a week with Emergency Operations to ensure farmers, animal transporters and feed trucks could safely pass military checkpoints and travel through approved routes. At 2 in the morning, my phone would ring- a frantic farmer pleading for military assistance as the dyke breached in a new area. I had never had military contacts prior to the flooding.

Through the stress, heartbreak and grief, I had to remain calm, focused, and handle large amounts of incoming information accurately and quickly in order to turn it into useful data for the ministry, military and Emergency Operations.

This photo encapsulates for me the emotions and workmanship that took place during the flood- grief, community and pride.