About Nuffield Canada

Steve and his wife Vanessa live near Three Hills, AB along with their three children. He is a Professional Agrologist, Certified Crop Advisor and has been providing agronomic support to farmers for over 25 years. He graduated from Olds College with a diploma in Crop Advisory and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Studies from the University of Lethbridge. He was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2008 and studied controlled traffic farming.

Steve owns of Beyond Agronomy, an independent crop consulting company that he began in 2006. The company provides agronomic services and innovative strategies to farms in Canada and internationally. Additionally, he has had businesses in the carbon space and ag technology space. He also published a weekly newsletter called The Spark from 2008-2019 where he would curate ideas around farming systems, technology and business.

Steve is a first generation farmer beginning in 2007 and runs a no-till, controlled traffic research farm near Morrin, AB and uses the farm as a testing ground for new ideas, technology, and farming systems. He continues to share his knowledge and experiences to local and international audiences.

In addition to his professional commitments, Steve is actively involved in his community and family. He spends his off time making ice on his outdoor rink, coaching hockey, and enjoying winter activities with his family. With his passion for agriculture and dedication to improving farming practices, Steve's is always game for a white board session, a spreadsheet convention, or a discussion about Plan A to Z.

Steve Larocque, P.Ag, CCA

Brenda is a 2012 Nuffield Scholar who researched The Development of Mentorship Programs for Women and Girls in Agriculture, A Global Perspective. She has since been involved in the development of mentorship programs and she works with young entrepreneurs worldwide.

She received her MA Global Leadership (2019) researching leadership in food systems and has completed several United Nations courses on rural community development and food security. She has been awarded the Royal Roads University Founders Award for Leadership the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Frank Jacobs Press Award, the Alberta Farm Animal CareAward for Distinction for Communication, the Manitoba Women in Agriculture & Food Champion of Diversity for Canada and was named One of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People by Venture Magazine.

As a farmer, agricultural columnist and industry consultant Brenda has a deep appreciation for the extraordinarily diverse and exciting opportunities in Canadian agriculture. She is very proud of her industry and and the people within it. Currently living in Victoria, BC, Brenda continues to serve in board and leadership capacities and is honored to be a member of the Board at Nuffield Canada.

Ryan Boyd is a family farmer from Forrest, MB, farming with his wife Sarah, two children Piper and Bingham, mom and dad, Jim and Joanne and sister Janelle. South Glanton Farms produces small grains, beef cattle and healthy soil. Forage based cattle breeding stock are marketed to fellow ranchers and grass-fed beef is marketed direct to consumers under the brand Boyd’s Beef.

Ryan received a Bachelor of Science with an agronomy major from the University of Manitoba, graduating in 2005. As a 2019 Nuffield scholar Ryan traveled the world investigating different grazing systems and has brought many insights home, including a fresh take on ultra-high density grazing and a balanced approach to sustainable beef production.

Previously, Ryan has been on the board of directors for Manitoba Ag Days and the Manitoba Forage and Grasslands Association. Ryan joined the Nuffield Canada board of directors in 2022 and took on the role of treasurer in 2023.

Craig Lester is a Canadian agricultural journalist, broadcaster, and the owner/operator of Rural Roots Canada (RRC), a multi-media platform dedicated to serving agricultural producers, businesses, and organizations across the prairies and beyond. 

Based in Alberta, he has spent over two decades as a broadcaster, writer, and radio producer, focusing on connecting people, ideas, and resources within the agriculture industry.

Steve grew up on a pig and beef cattle farm outside of Stratford, Ontario. After attending the University of Guelph, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (1997) and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (2001). Steven then practiced in food animal medicine for 16 years, servicing farms in the Arthur area and the Stratford area, with a special focus on swine production and medicine.

Steve’s 2014 Nuffield scholarship looked at the concept of the social license in food animal production, in particular with respect to animal welfare and the use of antimicrobials in food production.

In 2018, Steve and his wife Leesa purchased a small farm outside of Stratford and began a pasture-based diversified livestock and poultry operation (ForeverGreen Acres) where they market eggs and meat products directly to consumers.

Crosby Devitt is CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario, the province’s largest commodity organization, representing 28,000 barley, corn, soybean, oat, and wheat farmer-members. A longtime leader in agriculture, Devitt has held several senior roles with the

organization, including vice president and manager of research and market development, where he has advanced research investments, built partnerships, and created new opportunities for Ontario farmers.

From 2015 to 2017, Devitt served as executive director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, a national body uniting more than 130 members across seed research, production, and international trade.

In 2012, Devitt was awarded a Canadian Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship, which took him to eight countries to study farm leadership and global best practices, with a focus on public-private research partnerships. He is a proud graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, holding both a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in agriculture.

In addition to his leadership role at Grain Farmers of Ontario, Devitt also serves on the Board of Directors of Soy Canada, Canada Grains Council, and Nuffield Canada. Based in Guelph with his wife and two adult children, Devitt actively operates a farm in Ripley, Ontario, where they grow corn, soybeans, and winter wheat.

Ingrid Johnston, is the co-owner/manager of historic Onward Ranch, a cow/calf operation. Through onwardranch.ca, grass-finished beef is shipped across BC to doorsteps (first in BC to do so). Ingrid is also co-owner of an environmental consulting company, (TJ Consulting LTD), offering forestry, agriculture and biology services. Ingrid and her husband, co-teach the beef nutrition class of the Regenerative Agriculture program at Thompson Rivers University. They host agriculture students through the year, and share their expertise in the ranching industry.

Ingrid is community minded and is the founding Artistic Director for an active fiddle group, hosting square dances and many other adventures. “Farm to Table” is of immense interest to Ingrid and she is excited to help others with their own journey connecting to customers.

Mark Brock is a 2019 Nuffield Scholar whose topic focused on ways to strengthen Farmer-to-Farmer collaborations. Traveling Australia and New Zealand, Mark discovered many interesting ways farmers were collaborating in capital projects through joint ventures or conducting field research though Research cooperatives. 

Mark and his wife Sandi, operate Shepherd Creek Farms Ltd., a 1700 acre grain and sheep farm, in Perth Country Ontario. Since returning to the family farm, Mark has been involved with varies organization and spent 9 years serving on the Grain Farmers of Ontario board of directors, serving on the board’s executive for 8 of those year, 3 of those being Chair of the board. 

Mark has also served on the Nation Program Advisory Committee (NPAC) as a co-chair with the Canadian Federal government working on the modernization of business risk management programs for Canadian agricultural producers.

Dawn Trautman is the Corporate Innovation & Venture Studio Manager at SVG Ventures | THRIVE, where she leads initiatives that drive agricultural innovation through strategic partnerships and venture development. With over a decade of experience in the agri-food and innovation sectors, Dawn collaborates with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and academic institutions to identify and accelerate transformative solutions in agriculture and food.

Her expertise spans business development, commercialization, and open innovation, with a focus on translating cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions. She has played a key role in facilitating public-private partnerships and securing public funding for agricultural technology initiatives. Her work extends to mentoring ag-tech startups, fostering ecosystem collaborations, and guiding corporate partners in their innovation strategies.

Dawn holds degrees in biology (BSc), agricultural economics (MSc), and business (MBA) from the University of Alberta. She was a recipient of the Canadian Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship (2020), where she explored global best practices in agri-food innovation and technology adoption.

Emily Ford is an accomplished agronomist with extensive experience in crop management, and agronomy. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Dalhousie University. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong ability to manage large-scale agricultural projects and foster relationships with key stakeholders.

Currently a Senior Agronomist at Quattro Ventures, a complex joint venture farm operation. Emily manages the potato division of the farm and in addition oversees all on farm agronomics, focusing on sustainable agriculture practices, maximizing crop yields, and implementing water and nutrient management strategies. She also leads safety, food safety, and sustainability initiatives and plays a key role in mentoring junior agronomists.

In addition to her role at Quattro Ventures, Emily is a 2023 Nuffield Scholar, researching regenerative agriculture in potato systems on a global scale. She has previously held roles with McCain Foods in both Alberta and New Brunswick, where she worked closely with growers to drive continuous improvement and implement innovative agricultural practices.

Emily’s work is backed by numerous research publications, and she actively contributes to the agricultural community through her involvement with the Potato Growers of Alberta and other local educational initiatives.

Becky Parker is an Industry Relations Manager at FCC, working with a variety of stakeholders to support Canadian agriculture and food. Having grown up as the seventh-generation on her family farm outside of Guelph, Ontario, she has deep roots in the industry and is committed to helping it continue to thrive. Prior to FCC, Becky held roles at CropLife Canada and BC Agriculture Council, where she helped to advance public trust and advocated for tools and technologies that help farmers succeed.

Passionate about helping youth realize their potential in ag, Becky studied ag-career promotion as a 2015 Nuffield Scholar, sits on the Board Advisory Council for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, and is the chair of the Canadian Agri-Business Education Foundation. She is also proud to act as a director for the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health, and to sit on a Research Advisory Board for the Conference Board of Canada.

In her free time Becky enjoys travelling, or soaking up the splendour of British Columbia, where she currently lives. She is happiest outside, be it gardening, hiking, kayaking or camping.