Organic research receives funding
The Organic Federation of Canada will receive up to $6,828,349 in federal funding over five years through the AgriScience program.
The federation will use the funding to partner on research into the environmental benefits of sustainable farming practices and address challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, soil health and water quality.
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It hopes to develop solutions to production challenges such as organic crop adaptability and pest management.
Donation helps bison education
Ken Wasmuth, a long-time supporter of Alberta’s Lakeland College and a resident of Wainwright, Alta., has donated $150,000 to help the college modernize its bison handling facilities.
The college bought land south of its Vermilion campus in 2023 to house bison, which animal science technology students manage.
Upgrades to the farm’s handling facilities will include a hydraulic squeeze and new pens, gates, panels and a weigh scale. Any remaining funds from Warmouth’s gift will be invested in fencing or grazing equipment that will support the bison herd.
Wasmuth, who has a background in agriculture and a deep interest in the cultural history of bison in the region, created an endowment fund in 2021 to fund the Ken Wasmuth Agriculture Technology Award, which is awarded to a Lakeland student in the bachelor of agriculture technology program.
He also purchased a tile on the Legacy Wall in the newly rejuvenated WHT Mead Building at the Vermilion campus.
CGC takes over soy program
The Canadian Grain Commission is now delivering the Soy Quality Program.
The program was previously delivered by Agriculture Canada’s Harrow Research and Development Centre.
In its new form, the Soy Quality Program will continue to deliver quality testing for new food-grade soybean varieties and performance testing of soy food products, including soymilk, miso and tofu.
In addition to quality and performance assessments, researchers in the grain commission’s Grain Research Laboratory will provide scientific expertise to support stakeholder relationships with customers, exporters, seed companies and academics.
Ning Wang, research scientist and program manager for pulse research with the grain commission, will lead the program.
Agriculture Canada and Soy Canada will support the program.
Do More Ag gets new executive director
Merle Masse is the new executive director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation.
Masse, an active grain farmer in west-central Saskatchewan, has extensive experience working with the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health.
She said she hopes to help Do More Ag can continue to support mental health initiatives in the agriculture industry.
Masse replaces Megz Reynolds as the organization’s executive director.
Assiniboine College appoints ag dean
Nicole Gaudette is the new dean of Assiniboine College’s Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment in Brandon.
Gaudette has a background in post-secondary research, innovation and policy development.
She most recently worked in Alberta’s advanced education ministry as director of post-secondary research and innovation strategy.
Gaudette was born in Regina and her immediate family has roots in agriculture.
Following the completion of her PhD, she joined the Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc, Alta., as a senior sensory scientist and was adjunct professor in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences.
She subsequently held various roles with the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network and the Alberta government.
Gaudette has a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Regina, a BSc in human nutrition from the University of Manitoba and a PhD in sensory science from Brock University, studying at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.
She is currently pursuing a part-time MBA at the U of A.
FCC donates to community projects
Farm Credit Canada is giving $1.5 million through its FCC AgriSpirit Fund to 82 community groups across Canada to support rural capital projects.
The fund awarded between $10,000 to $25,000 this year to various community improvement initiatives in cities, towns or Indigenous communities with fewer than 150,000 people.
It has supported 1,697 projects over the past 21 years worth $22.5 million.
Registered charities, non-profit groups, municipalities and First Nations, Métis or Inuit governments/communities interested in funding can visit www.fccagrispiritfund.ca for eligibility requirements, to apply online and view past projects.
Cattleman of the year named
Drayson and Pat Jones have received the Lloydminster Agricultural Exhibition Association’s Cattleman of the Year Award this year.
The award is presented to those who have contributed to the cattle industry and rural communities.
The couple started farming in 1970 with a small commercial herd of Shorthorn Hereford cross cattle and dairy cows. They also grain farmed.
The dairy cows were sold in 1979, but they kept the beef cattle until 2022.
Son Glen returned to the farm in 2002 and focuses on the grain side.
Drayson has remained a strong supporter of the Kitscoty and 3-Cities 4-H beef clubs.
