Terry Betker, P.Ag., CAC, CMC, is the Founder of Backswath Management Inc., a company that originated in Souris, MB in 1992. Terry has an interest and passion in providing consulting expertise to farmers and agribusiness, focusing primarily on strategic and transition (succession) planning, financial performance analysis and general business management.

Terry is recognized for his visionary and leading-edge contributions to farm business management. He is further recognized for his work at MNP LLP where he was a Partner and Director of Practice Development in Agriculture for over 12 years. Terry was responsible for strategically positioning MNP at the farm, industry, and government levels within Canada. Terry initiated the development of the agriculture consulting practice across MNP.

A popular speaker on management issues, Terry has delivered presentations to major farm lenders, international food product and supply companies, farm industry associations, and numerous farm groups. He has made presentations on farm management in Canada, the US, the Netherlands, England, Poland, New Zealand, Tasmania, Chile and Mexico. He is a sessional instructor on farm management at the University of Manitoba.

Terry is the past Canadian representative to the International Farm Management Association. He is a founding member of familybusiness.ag. Over the years, he has contributed to many agricultural publications, been an active member or director of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, Agrologists Manitoba, the Canadian Consulting Agrologists Association, the Canadian Association of Farm Advisors, and Farm Management Canada.

Terry’s roots go back to the family farm, still in existence near Souris, MB, where he farmed with his parents and brother for nearly 20 years.

Blake was raised in the Airdrie, Alberta area, the fifth generation of a mixed family farm whose history on the Prairies stretches back to the 1880s.

After studying Agriculture at both Olds College and the University of Alberta, Blake joined FCC as a Relationship Manager, followed by six years as a Special Credit Account Manager serving agriculture in Central Alberta. Blake started at Backswath in January 2023.

Located in Carstairs, Blake and wife Melissa are the proud parents of three girls and one boy between the ages of 5 and 14. In their spare time, the family enjoys sports – particularly outdoor and motorsports – and keeping up with an active family routine.  Blake, a Journeyman Auto Parts Technician, enjoys using his enthusiasm for classic automobiles in the service of the Didsbury Car Club and their community investments. The family’s classic Chevrolet sees ample use through the summer months.

In coming to Backswath, Blake is delighted to be able to use his deep farm finance expertise to serve the changing needs of our clients.

“I am passionate about agriculture in Canada,” he says. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work in an industry that means so much to me, my family and our rural communities.”

Job Role Highlights

• Peer Group Facilitator
• Teaching and Workshops
• Farm Financial Analysis
• Transition Planning
• Software Product Management

Education & Experience
Gavin brings over 13 years of experience supporting farms and farm families. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba and has gained additional management experience outside of agriculture, broadening his perspective and approach.

Experience at Backswath
Gavin primarily works with farms looking to strengthen their understanding of financial performance and improve their planning processes. He also supports clients through transition planning and human resource planning. In addition, Gavin co-developed the Emerging Farm Managers Peer Group Program alongside Sara Chambers and co-hosts Backswath’s podcast, At The Fenceline and is a regular contributor to The Western Producer.

Personal Life
Gavin enjoys staying active through sports, travel, gardening, and volunteering. He has contributed his time to organizations such as IRCOM, Motionball, Sustainable South Osborne Community Co-op, CMC Manitoba, and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. He lives in Winnipeg with his dog/roommate, Dodger.

Job Role Highlights

• Bookkeeping training
• Payroll support
• Systems assessment and cleanup
• Spreadsheet development
• Full-Cycle Bookkeeping

Education & Experience
After serving as the treasurer for his graduating class, Wade completed an Accounting Diploma at Douglas College in the Fraser Valley. He continued to build his expertise while working in the accounting department of a large restaurant group and pursuing additional coursework. Wade later ran his own bookkeeping practice before becoming the Controller of a Winnipeg-based company. After relocating to his wife’s hometown, he earned his Certified Professional Bookkeeper designation and joined Backswath.

Experience at Backswath
At Backswath, Wade has supported numerous farms by organizing and improving their bookkeeping systems. His work includes implementing new software, developing spreadsheets, cleaning up records, and training owners and staff. He is passionate about ensuring farmers have accurate, timely financial information so they can make confident decisions and achieve their goals.

Personal Life
Outside of work, Wade stays busy volunteering at his local food bank, attending church, and supporting his children as they develop their creative talents in videography, drawing, and storytelling. He also enjoys taking on projects as the handyman around the house.

Job Role Highlights

• Full-cycle Bookkeeping
• Payroll and T4 processing
• Government Tax Compliance (GST, PST, and source deductions)
• Financial Reporting

Education & Experience
Jory Janzen is an accounting professional with over 20 years of experience supporting farms and agribusinesses across Western Canada. She holds the Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation, is a QuickBooks Online Advanced ProAdvisor, and completed her studies in accounting and management at the University of Manitoba. With a career spanning agribusiness, aerospace, and regional health services, Jory brings a versatile perspective to financial reporting and business operations.

Experience at Backswath
Jory leads full-cycle bookkeeping, payroll and T4 preparation, government tax compliance, and financial reporting for farms and agribusinesses across Western Canada. Combining analytical skills with hands-on agricultural experience from operating a family grain farm, she is a trusted advisor who helps clients by providing clear financial performance.

Personal Life
Committed to agriculture both professionally and personally, Jory and her husband operate a grain farm in Manitoba. This direct involvement provides her with firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing producers. Jory serves on the Board of Directors for Manitoba Women in Agriculture and Food, advocating for the advancement of women in the sector.

Job Role Highlights

• Backswath’s Director of Operations
• Peer Group Facilitation
• Coaching for Farmers and their Employees
• HR Toolkits (job descriptions, employee manual, etc.)
• Compensation Systems Development
• Communication and Accountability Support
• Recruitment

Education & Experience
In 2014, Sara obtained her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba. Sara is currently working towards her certificate in Human Resource Management and CPHR designation. Sara also holds a certificate through IWRC in wildlife rehabilitation. Following her graduation, she worked overseas in business management, where she oversaw teams of up to 30 employees and supported HR initiatives for the broader organization, representing an additional 50 employees. Sara also collaborated directly with local labour officials and was frequently called upon to provide HR advisory support to other businesses.

Experience at Backswath
Sara joined Backswath in 2019 as the Executive Assistant and Office Manager. Her role later expanded to include managing Backswath’s Peer Group program. While she continues to support and guide the team in her role as Director of Operations, Sara now focuses much of her time on peer group facilitation and farm management consulting. Sara also co-hosts Backswath’s podcast, At The Fenceline and is a regular contributor to The Western Producer.

Personal Life
Sara lives in southeastern Manitoba with her husband, son, daughter, and fur-daughter, Penny. During the summer months, they spend as much time outdoors as possible, enjoying time together at the family cottage or birdwatching in the backyard. In the colder months, Sara prefers to hibernate in front of the fire with a good book.

Since joining Backswath in May 2022, Brendon Fornwald has offered our clients his knowledge and experience in farm finance and lending. Previously, he was a Senior Relationship Manager with FCC serving the Regina and Moose Jaw areas.

After growing up on the family farm near Lampman, Sask., Brendon studied Finance at the University of Regina. Hockey was a passion in his youth — playing for Humboldt in the SJHL and Portage la Prairie in the MJHL, among other teams.

Brendon is focused on building strong relationships in order to provide timely and honest advice, strategizing off existing client strengths, identifying opportunities and mitigating risk while ultimately helping Backswath clients achieve success.

“Agriculture has always been a huge part of my life,” Brendon says. “My background in Finance and years with FCC give me the knowledge and experience to help Backswath clients earn a just reward for their hard work and risk-taking.”

Brent Metcalfe, an entrepreneur with a background in agriculture, holds an Agribusiness degree from the University of Manitoba.

After leading the expansion of his family farm, he ventured into business ownership, including Nexeed Inc. and A-Post Aluminum Fabricators. Brent joined Backswath Management to establish the Mergers, Acquisitions, and Investment Group, leading to the creation of Harvest Acquisitions, where he now serves as President and CEO. Alongside his professional pursuits, Brent is pursuing an MSMBA program at Purdue University and actively engages in community initiatives.

He resides in Oak Bluff, Manitoba, with his wife and children, enjoying hockey, golfing, skiing, and lake activities in his leisure time.