Ukrainians in Canadian Agriculture: Terry Youzwa

Terry Youzwa’s family has been farming in Saskatchewan for generations and they’ve been sharing their Ukrainian history and culture the entire time.

Youzwa is the third generation of his family to farm on the Canadian Prairies. His son Zak is the fourth and grandson Andriy a potential fifth. Now growing canola, wheat, oats, peas, faba beans and canaryseed on their Nipawin-area operation, Youzwa has long been an active member of the agriculture sector and his local community.

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He has chaired the audit committee of a TSX 300 company in the past, and is now a director for Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and chair of Pulse Canada.

“I’ve always believed you need to leave the farm to learn and contribute more,” says Youzwa, noting involvement in organizations and different communities has improved his understanding on a range of complex issues. It also supports good stewardship and helps him “leave things as good or better” than he found them.

His community involvement has ranged from serving on the local municipal council and justice committee to being an active member of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox church. Youzwa can also read and write Ukrainian, though speaking and audibly understanding Ukrainian is a bit more challenging.

“My son Zak is fourth generation. He’s more active now, too, and is taking over more of the operation. All four of my grandparents, or their heirs, came from the Galicia region in Western Ukraine. It’s part of my history and something I’m proud of.

“There are lots of communities where Ukrainian roots are deep. It’s neat to be able to make a connection to people who have come from Ukraine,” he says.

“For 30 years this church hosted a Ukrainian New Year’s celebration … It’s a great way to share Ukrainian culture with the community and have a positive outlook coming up on the new year. We like to say there are only two kinds of people in the world — Ukrainians, and those who want to be.”

Youzwa’s involvement in Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community, and commitment to cultural sharing, has also helped him connect with the wider Ukrainian diaspora.

“Ukrainians have always fought for their freedom, and now they have it. It’s so sad seeing someone try to take that away. It’s very touching to see different worthy causes organizing support for Ukraine,” says Youzwa.

He and his family have contributed to a number of initiatives, including the Friends of Ukraine Defence Forces Fund, a charity established by the League of Ukrainian Canadians, and the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women, after the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

“It’s good to be able to make a connection to people who have come from Ukraine more recently. Ukrainians are by and large an honest people. They’re also a loving people who want to be uplifting and positive. We try to share that.”