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Here are some of the speakers that will be speaking - look forward to a complete list soon!
Myles Frosst, CEO, Agricultural Institute of Canada
| From 2007 - 2010, Myles served the members and clients of the Agricultural Institute of Canada as its CEO, a position he just recently left to focus on building networks of government agencies, industries, and academic communities for the profitable and sustainable growth of the Canadian agro-economy. Prior to managing AIC, he served for ten years as the Executive Director of the Canadian Agri-food Marketing Council, an advisory body to the Federal Ministers of Agriculture and of International Trade with a focus on both federal and provincial trade development programs, regulatory policies, and competiveness strategies. An economist by training and graduate of McGill, he also has a background in trade policy having guided the Sectoral Advisory Groups on International (including the Agriculture, Food and Beverage SAGIT) through the conclusion of the last successful round of multilateral trade negotiations (the “Uruguay Round”) and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Myles is dedicated to finding common ground among diverse interests and facilitating collective efforts at raising the profile of the agro-economy as a provider of solutions to pressing 21st century challenges. He is married with two children and lives in Manotick, Ontario. |
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Dr. Marvin Pritts, Cornell University (via Webinar)
Marvin Pritts was born in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, and obtained a B.S. in Biology from Bucknell University in 1978, a M.S. in Biology from the University of South Carolina in 1980, and a Ph.D. in horticulture at Michigan State University working with wild species of blueberries. Marvin came to Cornell in 1984 as the berry crop specialist with an appointment in extension, research and teaching. He works primarily with production and pest management systems in strawberries and raspberries, and has consulted with berry farmers throughout the world. He became chairman of the Department of Horticulture in July, 2002. He teaches Career Explorations in the Plant Sciences, Hands-On Horticulture, Berry Crop Production and Management, and Leadership Development for Life Scientists. Marvin serves on the board of directors of the Cayuga Nature Center and Compos Mentis, and is an advisor to the Ithaca Children’s Garden. |
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Rory Francis, PEI BioAlliance
| Rory Francis has 30 years experience in professional, management and leadership roles in the public and private sectors. As an experienced senior executive, Mr. Francis has led transformative change in several public sector organizations encompassing economic and social policy, programs and services. Mr. Francis is a native of Prince Edward Island. He earned a BSc in geology and chemistry from Mount Allison University and an MSc in Hydrogeology from the University of Waterloo. In his early career, he worked as a consulting petroleum geologist in Alberta and BC and served Director of Water Resources with the Province of Prince Edward Island. From 1991 to 2003 Mr. Francis held Deputy Minister positions in several provincial government departments, including Environment; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; and Health and Social Services. In 2003, Rory was seconded to the Department of Development and Technology to develop a strategic plan with the Board of Slemon Park Corporation, PEI’s aerospace industry cluster. In 2004 he became Executive Director of the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance, a not-for-profit network of bioscience businesses, academic and research organizations, and government agencies. The role of the BioAlliance is to facilitate the growth and development of the province’s emerging bioscience cluster, working with industry, researchers, and government partners to establish the next generation of the Prince Edward Island economy. |
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John K. Schueller University of Florida
| Dr. John K. Schueller is Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Affiliate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida. He was previously employed by Caterpillar, Texas A&M University, Purdue University, a lawn and garden equipment manufacturer, and a Wisconsin dairy/grain/vegetable farm. Dr. Schueller has taught over 20 different university courses, has served on over 300 graduate student supervisory committees, and has had technical visits to eighteen different countries. Among his professional activities, he currently chairs the Equipment Engineering for Plant Production section of the International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. His specialty is agricultural machinery. |
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Rob North, CBC Radio
| Rob North has been a broadcast journalist for more than thirty years. He began his career in Sydney. In those days he reported on the decline of heavy industry, including steel production and coal mining, and also on the early days of the collapse of the Atlantic fishery. He also covered the devastating aftermath, and the search for alternatives , including attempts to rejuvenate Cape Bretons' agricultural industry. He has since worked as a writer and broadcaster all over Canada, and in a number of US states. Rob studied Agricultural Technology at Nova Scotia Agricultural College. He holds degrees in political science and in Education from St.F.X.University. He has served as a reserve infantry soldier , and a military piper. During high school and university , he drove trucks and sold dairy products and frozen food for Brookfield Foods. In more recent days he continues his work as a radio and TV journalist, based in Halifax. He often tells news stories about agriculture , science , technology , and natural resources, but he also reports on many other subjects. Rob also has an extensive background as an adult educator , and in teaching media literacy. |
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David Colville, COGS
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Nathan Boyd, Vegetation Management Research Chair and Peter Burgess, Horticulturist, AgraPoint
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Dr. Richard Ablett, CEO, Atlantic BioVenture Centre
| Richard Ablett is CEO, Atlantic BioVenture Centre, a recent expansion initiative at AgriTECH Park, Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Nova Scotia. The Centre has a mission to create value chain developments with Atlantic bioresources as part of a movement towards developing the bio-economy for Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region. Within this evolving framework, Dr. Ablett is responsible for bioscience sector developments and activities which will grow the province’s economic base as new bio-business and enhanced innovation and R&D alliances between the public and private sector. Emphasis is directed to the field of nutraceuticals, bioactives, functional ingredients and bio-products including renewable energy systems. Richard joined NSAC in 2005 from a former position as Director, BioScience Development with Technology P.E.I. in Prince Edward Island. Prior to that role Richard was employed for 16 years as Executive Director of the P.E.I. Food Technology Centre. |
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Ralph Martin, Organic Centre of Canada
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| Niki Petrie, AgraPoint
| Niki works with growers, processors and distributors on their quality assurance programs and food safety initiatives from the farm to the fork. Projects include the development, implementation and on-going maintenance of OFFS, HACCP, SQF, BRC, QMP and just about any other food safety acronym being used throughout the agri-food industry. She has developed an appreciation and understanding of the expectations of today's customers and suppliers. Using this knowledge she applies practical solutions for all sectors and commodities when addressing their quality and food safety issues. She has been involved with adult education sessions, having trained various levels of production personnel and management in food safety initiatives and procedures. She is currently involved with food safety training sessions being offered as part of a partnership AgraPoint has established with Guelph Food Technology Centre. This partnership has also enabled her to perform 3rd party auditing services of suppliers to confirm that they are meeting food safety and quality standards as requested by their customers. Customer audits include those for players such as Sysco, Costco, McDonald’s, Sobeys, Loblaws and Walmart. |
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John Argall
| John Argall is the Executive Director of BioAtlantech. BioAtlantech is the lead agency for the development of the Bio-Sciences in New Brunswick. The corporation works with a host of public and private partners, primarily in the creation of technology transfer opportunities, and in the incubation of new bio-science technologies to successful commercialization. John manages three of the companies in BioAtlantech’s incubation pipeline. In all, John has twenty-five years of experience with agricultural sciences and economic development in several roles: production, project management, research, advisory, teaching, business management and technology transfer. He has worked in industry, academia, and government in most areas of the country, and in the United States. John holds a M.Sc. in Crop Physiology and a Post-graduate Diploma in Management, from McGill. |
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Patricia Bishop
Patricia Bishop is an eight-generation Annapolis Valley farmer and the cofounder of Taproot Farms. In recent years, Patricia’s work to promote locally-grown foods and preserve agricultural lands have built awareness concerning some of the most important issues affecting the future of farming: food security, land use, and the viability of local farms. Patricia is married to Josh Oulton and has three children, Izaak, 7, Lily, 4, and Frank, 2. They live in Port Williams where they operate a 220 member CSA farm.
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Dr Kenneth Corscadden
| Dr. Corscadden is an engineer with over 15 years industrial and academic research experience. He has been responsible for the transfer of innovative technology, managed collaborative research projects and lead multi-disciplined teams of researchers. During his research he has liaised with industry, research institutions and universities in Canada, the USA, the UK and Australia. He is currently the industry research chair in farm energy conservation and responsible for the energy conservation research program at the NSAC, delivered through Farm Energy Nova Scotia (FENS). |
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John Duynisveld
| John Duynisveld is a beef research biologist at AAFC Nappan. The main area of his research is in the use of forages in sustainable beef production systems, with additional work in feed efficiency, enhancing beef fat composition, and the use of by-products in beef finishing diets. His current research projects include studying the effect of forage species on beef fat composition and pasture productivity, as well as the use of extended grazing in beef herds to improve sustainability of beef farms. John has a 500 acre farm at home that direct markets free range chickens, pig, and turkeys, pasture-fed beef and lamb and custom pastures about 300 head of cattle. |
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Phil Ferraro
| Phil Ferraro earned his masters degree at Goddard College’s Institute for Social Ecology with a thesis on creating food and energy self-reliance in Northern climates. He is a certified Permaculture Designer, an accredited Green Roof Professional, and a senior level project and program manager with over 25 years experience creating and mentoring innovative and progressive pathways for successful small business enterprises. In 1995, he founded the Institute for Bioregional Studies Ltd. (IBS). The Institute continues to be a pioneer in the exploration of ecological approaches to food production, urban reconstruction, and sustainable community development. Since 1999, Phil, has continuously managed a series of far reaching programs on behalf of the PEI ADAPT Council and Agriculture Canada. These programs invest in innovative projects that are changing the face of Prince Edward Island's agriculture as they assist farmers and the agri-food industry to adopt sustainable practices and respond to emerging issues. |
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Hans Christian Jost
Hans Christian is the only son of Erna and the late Hans Jost. Born in Mainz, Germany in 1962, Hans Christian, with his older sister Ellen and parents, emigrated to Nova Scotia in 1970. After attending the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, Hans Christian joined his father in constructing Jost Vineyards. Jost Vineyards was established in 1983 and 1984 was the year that Jost Vineyards was established. Since the death of his father in 1988, Hans Christian has risen to the challenge of growing Jost Vineyards into a winery proud of Nova Scotia and the excellent quality of grapes and fruit being produced in the province. Jost Vineyards has won hundreds of international medals and awards and the prestigious “Canada’s Wine of the Year” in 2000. Hans Christian believes strongly in the Nova Scotia wine industry and strives to work together with all those in the industry, whether it is government, wineries or consumers. Hans Christian sees incredible potential for the Annapolis/Gaspereau Valley of Nova Scotia to be a vital wine region of the world and to this end established Gaspereau Vineyards-the winery-in 2004. Gaspereau Vineyards has become a successful winery, winning medals and accolades for many wines, especially the Riesling. Hans Christian lives in Malagash with his wife Karen and two daughters, Christiane and Matina. Hans Christian belongs to many associations, including the Winery Association of Nova Scotia and the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia.
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Dr. Rick Peters
| Dr. Rick Peters received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph in 1990 and 1998, respectively. He conducted one year of post-doctoral work in 1999 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying diseases of peas and forages. He then returned to Canada to conduct studies of potato pink rot on a contract with the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. From 2000 to the present, Dr. Peters has been employed as a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Environmental Health, Integrated Pest Management) in Charlottetown. His research emphasis includes the control and management of pathogens of potato, carrots and other vegetable crops. The biology/ecology of organisms in agricultural ecosystems and the impacts of management practices on microbial population dynamics are also areas of investigation. The development of alternative management strategies and sustainable agricultural systems are important goals of the program. |
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David Walker
| David attended Nova Scotia agriculture college, before graduating from the university of Guelph, in 1975 with a major in Crop Science. Returned to University of Guelph in 1980 and graduated with a Master’s of Science in 1982. Worked with the New Brunswick Dept of Agriculture and Aquaculture from 1975 until 2009. In march of 2009 was offered a secondment to become executive director of MILK 2020. David have been working for MILK 2020 for the pat year as their executive director. David is married and has two grown children, a daughter in Ottawa and a son in Edmonton. |
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