Ottawa, ON – New faces and names filled the room for Nuffield Canada’s News Scholar Orientation, AGM, and Scholar Presentations held in Regina, SK, on Nov. 25.
Orientation marked the start of exciting journeys for Nuffield Canada’s six exceptional 2024 scholars. Each scholar will embark on a self-directed research program of international travel and experiential learning thanks to Nuffield Canada and its generous sponsors.
The 2024 Nuffield Canada Scholars are Sally Bernard, PEI, sponsored by PEI Department of Agriculture; Cheryl Haskett, ON, sponsored by Nuffield Canada; Lauren Benoit, ON, sponsored by Grain Farmers of Ontario; Matt McIntosh, ON, sponsored by Nuffield Canada; Renny Grilz, SK, sponsored by The Nature Conservancy of Canada; and Tatum Claypool, SK, sponsored by Farm Credit Canada.
“I completed my Nuffield journey more than 10 years ago, but the challenges and changes that lie ahead for each of our new scholars are still fresh in my mind – and I couldn’t be more excited and enthused for them,” says Steve Larocque, incoming Nuffield Canada Chair and 2008 Nuffield Scholar. “Nuffield is a unique opportunity that develops new influencers who will reshape our Canadian agricultural sector with global perspectives, leadership, and new ideas.”
Nuffield Canada executive elections saw the return of Steve Larocque (AB), Ryan Boyd (MB) and Greg Braun (MB), as Western Directors. Though stepping down as Chair, Blake Vince (ON) returned as a Director-at-Large to lend some continuity to the Board. Rounding off the executive are Josh Oulton (NS), Ellen Crane (NS) and Steven Wolfgram (ON) as Directors, and Mark Brock (ON) as the second Director-at-Large. From amongst the Board, Steve Larocque was elected as the new Chair. Ryan Boyd was appointed as the new Secretary-Treasurer replacing Rod Bradshaw (AB) who was recognized for his many years of service.
The highlight of the AGM events were eight scholar presentations held at Agribition in Regina, SK. These presentations, along with an approximately 10,000-word report, are the culminating instruments for each scholar as they share with the Nuffield Board, sponsors, industry, and fellow scholars what they learned on their scholarship, then field questions before being presented with their coveted certificate of completion as a Nuffield Scholar. The timely completion of some of these scholars was delayed by COVID-19 travel restrictions. Their final Nuffield Canada Reports will be available on the website in early January.
Scott Holtman (Sch. 2019) from Taber, AB was sponsored by Alberta Grains and presented on ‘Soil Health’.
Amy Cronin (Sch. 2020) from Bluevale, ON, was sponsored by Grain Farmers of Ontario and presented on ‘Risk Management Strategies’.
Mark Phillips (Sch. 2022) from Summerside, PEI was sponsored by the PEI Department of Agriculture and presented on ‘Public Trust in Agriculture’.
Lauren Park (Sch. 2022) from Forrest Hill, NS was sponsored by the Canadian Canola Growers Association and presented on ‘Honeybee Sustainability Through Queen Bee Health’.
Odette Menard (Sch. 2022) from Saint-Simon de Bagot, QC was sponsored by Nuffield Canada and presented on ‘Recognize and Understand the Behavioral Changes Required to Adopt Soil Health Practices for the Long Term’.
Shawn Moen (Sch. 2022) from Saskatoon, SK was sponsored by Nuffield Canada and presented on ‘Incubation of Small to Medium Agricultural Enterprises’.
Ken Coles (Sch. 2022) from Lethbridge County, AB was sponsored by Alberta Grains and presented on ‘A Global Search for Flourishing Farmer Focused NGOs’.
Ingrid Johnston (Sch. 2022) from 150 Mile House, BC was sponsored by Farm Credit Canada and presented on ‘How primary producers can direct market their farm products from farm to consumer door through urban-rural connections’.
About Nuffield
Nuffield 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.
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 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 to the Nuffield Board, with sponsors, industry leaders and peers in attendance.
For scholar sponsors, Nuffield Canada offers a pathway for leadership development within organizations and industry. Producers, customers, clients, and employees can be recognized for their leadership potential and encouraged to apply. The next round of applications will be open from April 1 through June 30. For more information visit www.nuffield.ca.
Nuffield Canada, a registered Canadian charity, is over 130 alumni strong. 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, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zimbabwe. Scholar recipients instantly become members of the 1900 global Nuffield alumni network, which hosts and supports traveling scholars.
For more information contact:
Theresa Whalen, Executive Director, Nuffield Canada (613) 325-7321 exec.director@nuffield.ca