Wit Wows Wintry Montreal

From scaling the heights of Mt Apo just a month ago, to pitching her advocacy in the halls of Montreal. My wife, Wit, has been keeping herself really busy. Recently, she was invited to Montreal to speak before the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) Convention. Her passion for regenerative agriculture, as well as women empowerment in the farm environment is certainly making heads turn.

Last week, Lizabel ‘Wit’ Holganza stood on stage in Montreal, Canada as MEDA’s keynote speaker, representing not just Gran Verde Farm, but every woman-farmer in Davao who’s been told she’s “just a helper.”

Wit shared her team’s journey: from conventional farming to food forests, from invisible labor to industry leadership, from struggling alone to transforming together. She talked about eggshells becoming calcium amendments, fish waste becoming soil fertility, cacao husks becoming premium teas. Circular economy not as theory, but as a daily practice, a way of life.

But most importantly, she talked about people. About Rubyline, Ann, and Gina. About youth choosing to stay and steward the land. About the ripple effect when one woman succeeds and ten more believe they can too.

She reminded the 300-plus delegates that the struggles she experienced aren’t unique. Women farmers globally face the same triple burdens: the same invisibility, the same undervaluation, the same branding as the minor partner. But they also share the same resiliency, the same strength, innovation and determination to create a better future.

If Wit’s voice on that stage amplified their collective voice even a little, if it opened doors for more investment in women-led regenerative agriculture, then the miles traveled have been well worth it.

This is what advocacy looks like: showing up, speaking up, never forgetting who you represent and why it matters.