From the Artist
Agriculture has always been a part of my life. My earliest memories are of my family working the land and caring for animals on our small-scale farm. Their dedication to farming sparked the idea for this series: to document not only the legacy within my own family, but also the wider network of people who shape agriculture in Ontario today, large or small.
Agriculture in Focus is my first documentary photography project, created to highlight the people behind our food system. It’s about more than tractors and fields — it’s about farmers, researchers, educators, agronomy assistants, migrant workers, and all of the people whose hands, hearts, and knowledge sustain our communities.
Through portraits, candid photographs, and brief conversations, my goal is to share honest glimpses into their daily lives — the challenges, the sacrifices, and the pride that comes with this work. I hope this series helps bridge the gap between consumers and producers, and reminds us all that agriculture is, at its core, about people.
Call for Participants
I’m looking for people like YOU to be part of my first documentary photography series, Agriculture in Focus.
This project celebrates the people behind Ontario’s agri-food system — from farmers and field workers to researchers, educators, and industry professionals. My goal is to highlight the human side of agriculture through authentic portraits, candid work scenes, and short interviews that capture your experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future of farming and food. My goal is to represent the small farms, intricate pieces, and known players that make this industry in Ontario thrive.
If you choose to participate, I’ll spend a short time with you in your element — whether that’s in the barn, the field, the lab, or the office. I’ll take a few photographs of you at work and ask a handful of questions to share your voice alongside the images. Interviews will be kept brief, and you’ll always have the option to remain anonymous if you prefer.
Interested in participating?
Send me an email (photos.by.mckenna01@gmail.com) or a message on social media, and I’ll follow up with more details.
Your story matters, and I would love the opportunity to include you in this series.
Follow Along
Agriculture in Focus is an ongoing series, and I’ll be sharing new stories regularly. You can follow along here on the blog, or over on Instagram @photos.by.mckenna where I post the latest portraits, quotes, and behind-the-scenes moments.
Most importantly, I’d love your help spreading the word — if you know a farmer, researcher, agronomy assistant, migrant worker, or anyone else connected to Ontario agriculture who might want to share their story, please pass this project along to them.
Together, we can shine a light on the people whose work sustains us all.
Agriculture in Focus
At its heart, Agriculture in Focus is about people. It’s about the hands that plant seeds, the minds that study solutions, and the communities that carry agriculture forward. Each story is a reminder that our food system is built on resilience, sacrifice, and deep care for the land and for each other.
I’m honoured to be able to share these stories, and I hope this series helps create a closer connection between the people who produce our food and the people who enjoy it. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where these conversations — and photographs — lead.