Farmer & Leader: Hepworth Bridges Experience with Vision

Thursday, October 23, 2025

‘Leadership is About Ensuring the Long-Term Success of Farmers.’

By Mary Loggan

Scott Hepworth has recently been appointed chair of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), assuming leadership for the country’s grain sector.

A lifelong producer from Assiniboia, Sask., Hepworth combines firsthand farming experience with years of involvement in producer organizations, positioning him to guide the association through emerging challenges and opportunities in Canadian agriculture.

Better Farming spoke with Hepworth following his appointment to reflect on his family’s farming legacy, the evolution of his own operation, and the principles that will shape his leadership.

Ag beginnings

Like many Canadian farmers, Scott Hepworth’s journey in agriculture is built on a long legacy.

“My family homesteaded here in 1907, and the farm has been in the family ever since,” Hepworth explains.

Growing up on the farm, he developed an early interest in agriculture.

“Agriculture has always been at the heart of my life. I grew up on my family farm, and my passion for farming started early.

“I began running equipment at the age of 12 and never looked back. I had great role models in my family and community who always supported my interest in agriculture.”

As he gained a deeper understanding of the business side of farming, Hepworth began to appreciate how global forces could influence local outcomes.

“As the years went by and I gained more experience with the business side of farming, I realized how many external forces affect our bottom line and ultimately our livelihood. That understanding led me to look for ways I could get involved beyond my own farm and play a role in the industry.”

This awareness shaped his approach to leadership and fostered his interest in advocating for producers.

“Over the years, I’ve also seen how government decisions on trade, transportation, or taxation have a direct impact on farms like mine. That awareness sparked my interest in leadership roles. I wanted to make sure the realities farmers face every day are heard in Ottawa and across the country.

“My commitment is to ensure that those who grow Canada’s food are represented when policies are shaped.”

Farming operations

Hepworth continues to farm actively alongside his father, Glenn. Together, they manage a diverse and modern operation.

“We grow durum wheat, lentils, chickpeas, and canola on our farm,” he says. “Having my own farm connects me with producers every day.”

Running the farm has allowed him to stay focused, ensuring his advocacy work remains closely tied to on-farm realities.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this work is realizing how much common ground farmers share, whether in Saskatchewan, across Canada, or around the world.

“We face similar challenges and successes, and those conversations often lead to long-term friendships and opportunities to learn from one another.

“Running my farm also gives me valuable insight into the pressures producers face, from fluctuating input costs to unpredictable weather and the ongoing need for efficient transportation.

“It keeps me grounded, and when I speak on behalf of producers through GGC, I do so with the lived experience of a farmer who shares the same risks and realities.”

The operation itself has undergone significant changes over the decades.

“The changes have been vast, from farming practices to equipment. We’ve gone from full tillage to no-till, and from harvesting with a threshing machine, which we still own, to today’s fully automated, GPS-guided machinery.”

For Hepworth, farming remains more than just a profession.

“I enjoy farming because it allows me to work for myself and alongside my family. No two days are ever the same. The fresh air and open views don’t hurt either.”

Leadership

Hepworth’s path in agricultural leadership has been steady.

Before assuming the role of chair, he spent eight years involved with GGC and other organizations, gaining experience in collaborative, producer-led advocacy.

“I believe leadership is about ensuring the long-term success of Canadian farmers, and I see it as both a responsibility and a privilege.

“Before becoming chair, I served as vice-chair of GGC and still serve as a director with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, where I was also vice-chair for two years.

“These opportunities taught me the importance of collaboration across provinces and commodities, and the value of speaking with a unified national voice.”

For Hepworth, leadership is defined not by title, but by service.

“Being in leadership allows me to contribute to solutions on major issues such as market access, carbon pricing, and transportation, which directly affect our ability to compete internationally.

“For me, leadership is about building bridges, amplifying farmers’ voices, and ensuring the next generation has the same opportunities we do today.”

Goals for the future

Looking ahead, Hepworth is clear about his intentions for both his farm and his leadership role at the national level.

“The future of my farm is pretty simple: Continue improving the land and my practices to leave it in better shape than I received it. My goal is to make the farm more resilient for the next generation.”

On the broader industry front, his focus is on policy, resilience, and global competitiveness.

“As chair of GGC, my priority is advancing practical, forward-looking policies that support the profitability, resilience, and long-term viability of family-run farms across the country.

“I want to see growth in trade, reliable rail service for moving grain to market, and workable policy measures that reflect the realities on the ground.”

He adds, “Looking ahead, I see Canadian grain farmers continuing to lead on innovation and global competitiveness.

“My vision is for GGC to remain at the centre of that progress, helping shape policies that strengthen our position as a trusted supplier of high-quality grain while ensuring farms like mine remain viable for the next generation.” BF