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

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.

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.

Mark Phillips, a 2022 Nuffield Scholar, grew up on a potato and beef farm in Arlington, Prince Edward Island. His childhood was filled with a strong interest in agriculture, as he worked alongside his father and family on the farm. After graduating high school, he left the farm to pursue a business degree at the University of Prince Edward Island. Returning to the farm after graduation rekindled Mark's passion for agriculture, leading to the opportunity to join the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, where he has worked for over 15 years as Market Information Officer and Marketing Specialist. His dedication to agriculture and interest in public trust led him to the Nuffield program, where he researched global perspectives on agriculture and its relationship with the public. Mark lives in Stratford, Prince Edward Island, with his partner Janeen and son Callan.

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.

Josh Oulton grew up in Windsor, Nova Scotia, working alongside his grandfather on his beef and layer farm. After attending NSAC he began his career in agriculture. He worked in the dairy industry for a number of years before transitioning to horticulture. In 2004 Josh purchased his 144-acre mixed vegetable farm in Lower Canard, Nova Scotia. Currently he is farming with his partner Patricia Bishop and 40-member farm team, with some making the annual trip from Jamaica.

Josh and Patricia have three children Izaak(22), Lily (19) and Frank (17). Josh is currently farming 500 acres consisting of vegetables, fruit, pastured livestock and 3 acres of flax fibre. Most recently adding a 40-cow robot dairy farm that is part of a succession plan with Patricia's 8th generation family Farm. The farm has a 300-member CSA (community share agriculture) and sells products to local farmer markets. Josh can be found at the Halifax farmer markets on Saturday where he and a team of 7 look after two well supported venues.

Josh was the president of Horticulture Nova Scotia and ACORN (Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network) and is active in the organic farming community. The farm has diversified into flax production to create new products and to provide new opportunities to the agricultural sector. Through the exploration of natural fiber, Josh and Patricia have taken on animal fibers as well, recently adding a 32 spindle woolen mill to the daily activities. Also, Josh and Patrica were selected as Outstanding young farmers in the Atlantic region in 2010

I’m Crosby Devitt, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario, where I work with a great team representing 28,000 grain farmers growing corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and oats across the province. I took on the CEO role in 2020, after working in several roles within GFO, and was the Executive Director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association from 2015-2017.

Farming has always been close to my heart, growing up on a beef and grain farm near Ripley Ontario.  I currently operate a part time farm, spending my weekends at the farm near Ripley, Ontario, growing corn, soybeans, and wheat.  I earned a B.Sc. (Agr) and M.Sc. from the University of Guelph.  My wife Carie works at the University of Guelph, and my two children Clayton (20), and Hazel (18) are both current students the UG.  Our household has a passion for the University of Guelph!

After my 2012 Nuffield travels, I served on the Nuffield Canada selection committee and currently helping plan the Nuffield 75th Anniversary celebration in Whitehorse.

I have a strong interest in farming, farmers, strategy, governance, and international advocacy, and I currently sit on the boards of Soy Canada and the Canada Grains Council.

Greg is the third-generation owner of Braunsdale Holsteins Ltd., a mixed dairy, beef, and cropping farm located near Blumenort,

Manitoba. The farm is nearing 100 years operating from the same homestead base Greg’s grandfather built in the 1930’s. Dairy has been the primary focus of the farm for 50 years, reaching a peak of 1000 cows milking. The cropping of alfalfa, corn, barley, wheat, and pasture has mostly been directed to feeding on-farm cattle.

Holistic farm management and regenerative cropping practices have always been an important part of Greg’s strategies for long-term soil and animal health. It also was the focus of his Nuffield Canada Scholarship studies in 2008. Greg became interested and involved with crossbreeding of dairy cattle for developing health traits and longevity. The farm developed a unique herd of dual-purpose milk/beef cows using Fleckvieh genetics from Bavaria in Germany. Currently the focus is more on using Angus to produce crossbreed feeder steers to feedlots and creating a mother cow herd.

Off the farm Greg enjoys spending time at the cabin with his family quading, snowmobiling and occasionally golfing. Travelling has always been an important part of Greg’s life for learning and adventure. He is always excited to visit farmers anywhere in the world to see how they are trying new practices and solving unique problems. This focus is also why Greg appreciates Nuffield Canada and the opportunities it has opened for him. Greg has supported Nuffield Canada as a board

member since 2020.

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.

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.

Theresa Whalen has been the Executive Director for Nuffield Canada since October 2021. Theresa has a diverse background having run a communications and public relations consultancy for over 35 years. Some of her contracts have included being an English professor at Algonquin college, Communications Officer for the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, researching and producing the National Farm Safety Program for 14 years for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, and having a syndicated newspaper column entitled “For Your InFARMation”, along with numerous national and international media campaigns for dozens of clients.

Theresa is a believer in lifelong learning with degrees in Hon. Public Relations, Gen. B.A with a minor in Communications, diplomas as a Legal Assistant and in Public Relations, and certificates in Occupational Safety & Health, Teaching English as a Second Language, Teaching Adults Lifelong Learning, and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (ON). Theresa’s background in farming stems from growing up on a dairy farm and later partnering to establish a dairy farm and horse boarding stable along with growing cash crops.