Organic Alberta is proud to host several prominent organic researchers from across Canada in a panel discussion. Researchers will be giving a short introduction to their current work at the beginning of the event, followed by questions from the audience. This is a great opportunity to ask the experts questions you have always wondered about!
There will be four researchers present:
Andrew Hammermeister, PhD, PAg
Dr. Andy Hammermeister received his MSc and PhD at the University of Alberta. Since then he has worked with the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada at Dalhousie University for over 20 years to support the growth and integrity of organic agriculture. He is the Science Director for Canada’s national Organic Science Cluster, has been a voting member of the National Organic Standards Technical Committee, and Board Member of Organic Nova Scotia. Andy leads the national research priority setting process for organic agriculture in Canada that feeds into the Organic Science Cluster and other funding applications. Andy teaches courses in organic agriculture and soil science at Dalhousie University. He currently is conducting research coupling digital soil mapping (SoilOptix) with remote sensing and soil health assessment for organic farms in NS. Andy has brought the international voice and principles of the organic movement to his work and advocacy. Although he lives in Nova Scotia, Andy’s roots and heart remain in prairie agriculture.
Michelle Carkner, PhD
Michelle Carkner is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba, where she leads the Natural Systems Agriculture Lab. She has worked in organic and ecological cropping systems research since 2014.
Her doctoral studies grew out of her previous work within Canada’s first organic participatory wheat breeding program, where she examined phosphorus use efficiency and acquisition in farmer-bred wheat genotypes. That experience shaped a lasting interest in co-design and participatory research methods, viewing farmers as research partners. She also manages the Glenlea Long-Term Rotation, Canada’s oldest organic-conventional crop rotation studies, and runs field trials on legume-intensive rotations and crop-livestock integration.
She also works with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and smallholder farming communities on sustainable agriculture and rotational grazing eastern and southern Africa and is heavily involved the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences LEAP project where a multi-disciplinary team is developing nature-based strategies to help Prairie agriculture adapt to climate change and while maintaining environmental benefits.
Caroline Halde, PhD
TBA
Drew Seiler, PhD
TBA