Nuffield Canada Announces 2026 Scholars

Ottawa, ON – Two people from Alberta and one each from Quebec and Ontario have been selected as 2026 Nuffield Canada Scholars. The four recipients will each receive a $20,000 scholarship to challenge themselves in self-directed research programs with international travel and experiential learning thanks to Nuffield Canada and its generous sponsors.

“The Nuffield journey is life changing for scholars as it provides a dynamic platform for scholars to research, explore and collaborate on innovative ideas, policies, and practices that drive advancements in Canadian agriculture,” says Steve Larocque, Chair of Nuffield Canada and 2008 Scholar.

Scholarship recipients can come from all areas of primary production, industry, or governance of agriculture, and are required to do a minimum of 10 weeks of international travel study within 24 months to examine and research an agriculturally relevant issue of their choosing. Each scholar prepares a written report of their research findings and then presents a summary at the Nuffield Canada Global Knowledge Exchange before the Nuffield Board, industry leaders, sponsors and peers.  

Nuffield Canada Scholar Reports are available free of charge on the Nuffield web site. Scholars are also available as speakers and panelists to share their learnings to industry, stakeholders and beyond.  

Introducing the 2026 Nuffield Canada Scholars

Jolene Noble is from Manning, Alberta and her sponsor is Alberta Grains. Jolene’s study topic will look at stacking enterprises to increase opportunities, resiliency and profitability on the family farm.

Ashley Nicholls is from Dewinton, Alberta, and his sponsor is Nuffield Canada. Ashley will study the impacts of human management systems on the longevity and wellbeing of agricultural employees.  

Antonious Petro is from Montreal, Quebec, and his sponsor is Nuffield Canada. Antonious will examine how financing tools, incentive programs, and economic planning models de-risk and support the long-term adoption of regenerative agriculture.

Kristen Kelderman is from Carrying Place, Ontario, and her sponsor is Nuffield Canada. Kristen’s research will explore how farmers navigate grief to reveal the deep roots between identity, loss, and resilience – and how tending to emotional landscapes is vital to the success and future of the farm.

About Nuffield Canada

Nuffield Canada attracts mid-career men and women with a passion for agriculture who are ready to challenge themselves in a self-directed program of international travel and study. The experience results in personal and professional benefits, while adding value to Canadian agriculture as scholars assume positions of greater influence in their fields.

For scholar sponsors, Nuffield Canada offers a pathway for leadership development within organizations. Producers, customers, clients and employees can be recognized for their leadership potential and encouraged to apply. Each year, applications are accepted from April 1 through June 30. For more information visit www.nuffield.ca.  

Nuffield Canada, a registered Canadian charity, was established in 1950 and has over 150 alumni. As part of a larger international community, Nuffield Canada has affiliate organizations in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zimbabwe. Scholar recipients instantly become members of the 2,200 global Nuffield alumni network, which hosts and supports traveling scholars.

 Scholar Biographies

Jolene Noble grew up on a mixed cow/calf and grain farm in northern Alberta. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Alberta before traveling to Australia and New Zealand, working on livestock and cropping operations.

Returning to Canada, Jolene worked with the Canadian Cattle Association on the Cattlemen's Young Leaders program, followed by roles with the Alberta crop commissions on sustainability initiatives and Alberta Beef Producers on grazing management.

Jolene returned to the farm and the Noble family has worked to grow the farm to support three households by purchasing and renting more farmland. Relying on this growth in the short term proved to be challenging so both Jolene and her brother pursued off farm work. Jolene has completed contract work, sales and nutrition consulting with Blue Rock Animal Nutrition, and sales and forage consulting for Renovo Seed. The family also started finishing yearlings and added a direct-to-consumer beef enterprise.

Her Nuffield study topic focusses on enterprise stacking and farm growth and resiliency – challenges her own family faces as they navigate the next generation’s return to the farm. Through her scholarship, Jolene aims to discover innovative approaches to help farming families successfully transition and thrive across generations. 

Ashley Nicholls is the founder of REACH Agriculture Strategies, a business dedicated to strengthening communication, leadership, and people systems across Canada’s agricultural industry. Through his work with feedlots, ranches, and veterinary operations, Ashley helps managers and owners build strong, sustainable teams by improving alignment between people, processes, and performance. His work combines a deep understanding of agriculture with a passion for developing the next generation of rural leaders.

Ashley’s Nuffield Scholarship research explores the impact of human systems on the longevity and wellbeing of agricultural employees. With Canada’s agricultural sector facing a projected labour gap of more than 100,000 jobs by 2030, he believes the future of sustainability lies in investing in people as much as in technology or production. His research seeks to uncover global best practices in recruitment, retention, and workforce development, and to translate those lessons into practical, adaptable tools for Canadian producers.

As an avid rugby player, Ashley believes in the power of community both on and off the field. With a background in experiential education, he takes a hands-on approach to leadership and teamwork. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Louisa, pony, Pineapple and their dog, Cash.

Antonious Petro is the Executive Director of Regeneration Canada, a national non-profit dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture across the country. He holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture (Soil Sciences) from Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, where his research focused on soil carbon sequestration.

Originally from Egypt, Antonious spent over a decade farming with his family before leaving agriculture due to its economic instability. That experience shaped his commitment to supporting farmers and ranchers and rethinking the financial systems that drive agricultural decisions. Since immigrating to Canada in 2013, he has worked alongside producers to advance regenerative practices that are both ecologically sound and economically viable.

His Nuffield study will examine how financing tools, incentive programs, decision-making frameworks, and organizational models around the world de-risk and support the long-term adoption of regenerative agriculture. Rather than focusing solely on the transition phase, Antonious is interested in how entire systems can be designed to sustain these practices—from blended finance models to risk mitigation tools and public–private program design.

He also serves on the board of Farmers for Climate Solutions. When he's not in meetings, you'll find him on farms, geeking out about soil with producers.

Kristen Kelderman grew up on her parent’s dairy farm, where early mornings, hard work, and a strong sense of community shaped who she is. A farm kid turned mental health professional, she knows farm life—and the people who keep it going.

With a Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health from King’s College London and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, Kristen bridges the worlds of mental health and farming.

She is the Lead Trainer and Engagement Officer at the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing where she works to destigmatize mental health in agriculture through evidence-based education, partnership building, and integrating her deep knowledge of farm culture in programs and education. As a 2026 Nuffield Scholar, Kristen will explore how farmers experience grief, how identity is shaped on the farm, and what supports resilience and mental wellbeing in the face of loss. Her intention is to utilize her Nuffield studies to inform and help Canadian farmers understand grief and loss in a farming context and strengthen supports needed for the agricultural community.

She and her husband are raising their twin daughter and son (age 3) and fur baby in the countryside of Prince Edward County, Ontario.

For more information contact:

Steve Larocque, Chair, Nuffield Canada & Sch. 2008

chair@nuffield.ca

Theresa Whalen, Executive Director, Nuffield Canada

exec.director@nuffield.ca