Wednesday, June 25

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Thursday, June 26

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Mysteries of Mycorrhizae 

Dr. Monika Gorzelak brings a lesson on all things mycorrhizas to Field School, eager to share her knowledge on the symbiotic relationship these fungi share with your crop's roots. Come find out how you can cultivate a better soil for your crop!

Dr. Gorzelak is a soil microbial ecologist and Research Scientist at Lethbridge RDC. She completed her PhD at University of British Columbia where she studied the communication through mycorrhizal networks. Now, she conducts research on soil microbial communities and mycorrhizas contribution to nutrient cycling, soil carbon sequestration, and plant health. Her research combines next generation sequencing approaches with classical microbiology and soil science to address question in both pasture and annual cropping systems. 

She is interested in the microbiome’s role in sustainable agriculture practices. Her current projects include investigations on the impacts of grazing on pasture microbiomes, intercropping and nutrient cycling, and the impacts of regenerative management practices on soil health. 

Tools for Measuring Soil Physical Health

Dr. Henry Chau is excited to share his knowledge of Soil Physics with you at the Farming Smarter Field School! His presentation will highlight the importance of nutrient management programs in wheat and corn with demonstrations on soil compaction, water infiltration, and soil sampling depths.

His research examines the impact environmental stressors and agricultural management practices have on soil resilience and ecosystem services. Dr. Chau's focuses on understanding how the properties and processes in cycling water and soil nutrients impact soil health and the environment at a greater level. Currently, his research programs examine the effect of beneficial management practices, cropping varieties, and rotation have on soil health with a focus on improving carbon sequestration and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Enter the Herbicide Matrix

Trevor Deering manages the Commercial Innovation projects. He cultivates working relationships with industry clients and evaluates proprietary products to ensure unbiased results as a neutral third-party. Trevor loves working with plants so much that even his office is full of green things and has been known to use his office plant pots to test seed germination. If he's not meticulously analyzing data, you can find him in the field with his students ensuring projects are completed to the letter!

Protecting Your Crops from Cover Crops

Thierry Fonville showcases how the benefits of cover crops impact your soils and cash crops from Farming Smarter's Saving Soils projects. Enjoy a review of innovative cover crop termination practices like roller crimping and living mulch cover crops across a variety of crops including canola, dry beans and fall rye. Learn how they affect soil erosion and how these practices can continue to advance towards new opportunities in the future.

Dr. Thierry Fonville is the new Research Scientist at Farming Smarter. He brings fresh insight and soil expertise to our agronomy research program. He assists with the design and development of innovative research projects improving soil health and nutrient availability while coordinating research grant applications for new projects and publishing project reports for peer review.

Agronomy Foundations

When you're busy with integrating the latest equipment and practices, it's important to remember the fundamentals! Ashley Wagenaar takes us back to the basics to review the foundations of successful crops. Revisit what sets you up for a successful season growing corn, barley, canola, and peas with demonstrations on seed spacing, seeding depth, herbicide residue, and more!

Ashley Wagenaar works directly with southern Alberta farmers as the Farming Smarter Conservation Agronomist within the Knowledge and Network Team. She joins Farming Smarter to support work on best management practices in a variety of conservation practices on southern Alberta farms. Her ag career to date includes Agriculture Manager and Crop Specialist working with Nortera Foods and The Little Potato Company in Alberta and Ontario.