Nuffield has a volunteer Board of Directors that oversees the direction and strategy of the organization. A part-time Executive Director, hired by the Board of Directors, manages day-to-day operations at the direction of the Board.

Nuffield Canada was established in 1950 with money from the original Lord Nuffield endowment, incorporated as a registered not-for-profit in 1986, and became a registered Canadian charity in 2014.

Nuffield Canada is part of the larger Nuffield International community which includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zimbabwe. Scholarship recipients become a member of the Nuffield alumni, now more than 2,000 strong globally, which interacts to aid development of new scholars and continuing achievement of its alumni.

Nuffield Canada depends on corporate sponsorship and alumni donations to support scholarships and day-to-day operations.

On the training sessions spouses are strictly prohibited. We encourage scholars to begin their private study on their own with spouses joining near the end of the period to share in the experience.

We need studies to be current and of interest to modern agriculture. We prefer wide studies allowing freedom for the scholar to move about and to cover a broad field as opposed to being focused and missing some larger issues which are important.

Nuffield Scholarships are awarded to Canadian citizens between the ages of 25 – 50(ish) with a passion for agriculture. ‘Agriculture’ includes all forms of primary production including food, fibre, health care, biofuels, forestry, aquaculture, and fisheries. Recipients can come from any part of agriculture, from primary production to value added processing to governance or communications. They can be involved in any aspect of the industry including as owners, managers, employees, administrators, or bureaucrats, and all industry philosophies are welcome including commercial, organic, cottage, medicinal, Indigenous, Kosher, ethnic and others.

That is part of the leadership training of the program. If you are leadership material and you can’t leave your farm or job, then you will never be able to lead in the future. That is part of the organizational skill required to earn a scholarship and become a Nuffield Scholar.

Online written and video applications are accepted from April 1 through June 30 each year at www.nuffield.ca. Applications are then reviewed and short-listed by a committee of Nuffield Canada alumni. Selections and interviews are completed in July and August with final selections being announced in early September.

This annual event is the blast-off for new Nuffield Scholars from around the world. They gather for one time only, in a different country each year, to spend eight days exploring agriculture in the host country, learning more about themselves and each other, and engaging with leaders in agriculture who reinforce experiential learning.

No educational background is necessary. However, an in-depth report is required at the end of your study and that knowledge must be passed on to others by public speaking and a series of publishable articles while you are on the scholarship and after your return.

This varies from scholar to scholar and can range from $35,000 to $50,000 in addition to the Nuffield Canada $20,000 Scholarship. The most expensive parts of this scholarship are the flights, travel and accommodation costs. One of the ways that expenses can be reduced is through the hospitality of Nuffield Scholars living in the study area who provide free meals and lodging. Those who are selected are responsible for making all of their own travel and living arrangements – a “package” is not given to each scholar since this would partially defeat the objective of teaching leadership and independent thought.

The short answer is 24 months; the long answer is a lifetime. Contemporary scholars travel and study their topic for 24 months after which they write and present their report. Upon completion, scholars belong to the Nuffield family for life and can participate in Nuffield conferences and events held around the world. You are also tied into a dynamic group of people who meet at annual meetings and picnics and exchange ideas and views on a variety of subjects. You don’t “do” a Nuffield Scholarship; you “are” a Nuffield Scholar.

Most do a lot of fundraising on their own by asking for financial support from local companies, agricultural organizations, and individuals. Upon their return, scholars re-pay this support through public speaking, writing articles, social media activity, and consulting work free of charge, etc. The Nuffield lessons learned can then translate into new knowledge for the farming operations of those who gave their support.

Just a few of the benefits of investing in Nuffield Canada are: Close association with Nuffield Canada, its Scholars, and the greater Nuffield International community. Nuffield Scholars are highly respected in their industries and much sought after as speakers, advisors and board members. Canadian Nuffield Scholars play key leadership roles in many of this country’s agricultural, food and rural associations. Exposure to new products, services, technologies, ideas and marketing approaches, through knowledge gained and brought back to Canadian agriculture by Nuffield Scholars. Public recognition and profile of your support through the scholar, his/her research report and through Nuffield’s extensive network, not just in Canada but around the world. The opportunity to gain a future employee or consultant committed to growing your company’s bottom line through unique experience and innovative thinking. Research shows that investing in leadership and expertise development like the Nuffield experience results in a triangulation of benefits to scholar: Individuals develop greater personal growth, self-confidence, personal power, creative thinking, valuing of time, business skill-building, and modeling behaviors. Organizations benefit from greater ‘big picture’ thinking, communications, management skills, effective networking, problem-solving skills, and improved business skills with new perspectives and ideas. Community benefits include greater awareness of cultural diversity, increased participation and influence in their community and area of expertise, and holding executive positions on boards. Source: Black, A.M. (2009). Measuring the outcomes of leadership development programs. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247784853_Measuring_the_Outcomes_of_Leadership_Development_Programs

Nuffield Canada has recognition packages for all levels of investors. Please contact our Executive Director for more information.

Yes, Nuffield Canada is a registered Canadian charity non-profit organization, so your donation is tax deductible. Or alternatively, as a business, you can write off your sponsorship as a business expense.

The cost to support a Nuffield Canada Scholar is $20,000.

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.

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.

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

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.