Chantal Lecavalier : Showcasing Sollio Agriculture’s expertise

Despite her 35 years with Sollio Agriculture, Chantal Lecavalier still speaks as passionately as ever about her job. Having worked to raise awareness of Sollio Agriculture’s mission in the industry, she now wants future generations to discover the cooperative movement so that they can find a job that they love. 

From school to the workforce 

“I’ve been working here for 35 years. I left school, having barely earned my degree, and started at Sollio Agriculture. I started as an intern and never left.” 

What’s the secret to such a long career? Chantal has no doubt that it’s because the company allowed her to grow into her role. When she first arrived, the laboratory had just opened. Chantal remembers getting her start as a seed analyst in a field still unknown to the public. 

“There are no courses in seed analysis. You’re trained by a specialist and you take the exams. There are 20 or so labs in Canada.” 

After only three years on the job, Chantal took on the role of senior analyst and started to run the laboratory.  

“In my first years, I quickly became responsible for managing a budget, overseeing human resources and developing the service offer. I was motivated. I liked my job; everything was new. In fact, my ambition as a young person fresh out of school was to build the biggest laboratory in Québec. I did it eventually after 15 years!”  

Women in agriculture  

Agriculture, like many male-dominated fields, has not always been kind to women.  

“When I started 35 years ago, it was challenging. I was barely 25 and visiting farmers’ fields. Customers would look at me like I was just some young thing, and even farmers’ wives gave me stern looks. Today, there are more female than male analysts, but there are still more men than women in management.” 

Things have since changed, and Sollio Agriculture even has a female warehouse superintendent. This is a first.  

Preparing tomorrow’s workforce 

After occupying a position that she was passionate about for so many years, Chantal now wants to inspire young people to find their place, and especially show them that agriculture is multi-faceted. 

“Of course, we’re in agriculture, but for me, being in a lab means doing science. Just because we’re analyzing grain doesn’t mean we’re all about agriculture. I have a young employee who worked in a skincare products lab, and today she’s in agriculture.” 

Another benefit of this industry is the seasonal aspect of the job. You never do the same thing. Areas of interest change from season to season. It’s an excellent field for people who need a change of pace. It’s a vast field, and that also applies to the various departments. 

“Whether its for accountants, agents, or customer service representatives, when we post jobs, we’re looking for competent people, not necessarily individuals from the agricultural sector. People shouldn’t hesitate to consider a job in agriculture. Agriculture will always be around, providing food for animals and humans. There’s a lot to gain by getting to know our industry!”