Meet the Mentors - Mackenzie Wishloff
Our last mentor post of 2025. Meet Mackenzie Wishloff
What is the Best mistake you have ever made in your career?
The best mistake I have ever made in my career is: all of them. Mistakes teach us lessons and teach us something new. And in the long run in or lives mistakes big or small leave some sort of impact. My career started 5 months into our relationship when my now husband swept me away to his family farm in Blaine Lake, SK. I could barely cook chicken for myself never mind a whole farm at SEEDING time. Although I was internally screaming; I couldn’t wait for my new life and what I hoped was a career and dove with two feet in. A crew of 5 quickly turned to a crew of 10. Was every meal perfect? Absolutely, NOT! I’ve watched men have 5 bites and throw it away. Boy, you sure earn to pull up your boots quick. A role I got to learn from GMA herself and that I’ve cherished since day one and a role that’s 7 years later inspired me to write a cookbook.
I’ll never forget the adrenaline rush I got from sitting in a Case Tractor for the first time; then immediately getting told I’m going to learn how to harrow in between meals. Then the sheer adrenaline rush….from stalling the tractor…. On a flat piece of land…. In front of the whole crew….. Year by year my operational responsibilities have grown, but still to this day; actively farming I still get the adrenaline rush when I don’t clutch at the right time, drop something off forks of the skid steer, get stuck when I’m not supposed to or look up at a hill while harrowing a realize the gear you are in is way too high and you reach yet another mistake…
Mistake big or small in agriculture tends to always be a lesson well learnt.
What have been your biggest ah-ha moments in your career?
In my career so far, I’ve learned that almost every experience—big or small—can be an ah-ha moment. Each opportunity to work, learn, and take on new challenges has taught me something valuable, both on and off the farm. Expanding operations, taking on new responsibilities, and stepping into different roles have pushed me to trust my abilities and my voice. One of my most defining ah-ha moments was running a commercial trucking operation with a completely different team of employees while raising three kids and managing the farm. It was a crash course in adaptability, problem-solving, and perseverance.
These moments remind me that growth often comes in the middle of hard work, and they inspire me to encourage other women in agriculture to trust themselves too. I know there will be many more ah-ha moments ahead, and I welcome each one as a chance to grow, lead, and help others along the way.
3. What external organizations have you been involved with that helped build success for you?
I believe that the people and organizations you surround yourself with play a huge role in building success. For me, that includes the Family farm and a strong network of professionals — from our accountant, lawyer, and marketing team, to bank, industry boards, and trusted parts suppliers.
I’ve also learned so much from other women in agriculture through shared experiences, honest conversations, and even those uncomfortable phone calls that push you out of your comfort zone.
Looking back, I believe that if I’d had a mentor to run ideas by and simply listen when we were first starting out, I wouldn’t have struggled as much internally with the uncertainty I felt. That’s why I value the role of mentorship now — because I know how much it can change a person’s confidence and uncertainty and connection.
Every connection, big or small, has contributed to my growth and the success of our business and I yearn to continue to build my wheel of connections.
4. What is your main tool in managing life while cultivating your career?
Asking for help. It’s taken me years to realize the value in that, but now it’s the tool I use most. Whether it’s carving out time to catch up on bookkeeping or asking for just five minutes so I can tackle a chore that feels impossible with the kids, I’ve learned that leaning on others is not a weakness — it’s a strength. Taking the time to ask for help allows me to focus on what matters most, and it’s been essential in balancing my family, farm, and career.
5. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would like to offer Saskatchewan Women in Ag members? Consider: some members are just entering the workforce, others have been working for 5 years and there are also those who are 10+ years into their careers.
Agriculture is more than a job — it’s a calling, a lifestyle, and, at times, a leap of faith. For women in ag, the path can be full of unknowns, whether you’re just starting your career, five years in, or decades deep in your business.
One of the most powerful things you can do is ask questions — every single one that comes to mind. There’s no such thing as a question too big or too small in this industry. The right answer at the right time can change everything.
Take the risks you believe are worth it — both in agriculture and within your agri-business. Those leaps, even the scary ones, often lead to the biggest growth. You can do it.
Remember, you’re not doing this alone. The women around you want to help, to connect, and to share their experiences. Make the phone call, send the text, write the email — and when you learn something, share it back. We learn from each other in ways that keep this industry strong.
Don’t be afraid to try something new.
Don’t be afraid to do it all.
And don’t forget — the courage you show today is paving the way for the next generation of women in agriculture.
6. Do you have any recommendations for books or podcast episodes you feel would be beneficial for our members?
Over the years, I’ve found that sometimes the best ideas, motivation, and even comfort come from hearing someone else’s story. Whether it’s a book on your nightstand or a podcast playing while you’re hauling grain, the right words can spark something that changes the way you think or work.
Local Ag Radio will forever be a favourite of mine.