Grainswest - Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Grains West 42 Nuffield scholars tackle big agricultural concerns TWO ALBERTANS ARE AMONG the four recipients of 2026 Nuffield Canada Scholarships. Each will receive $20,000 to travel and research a topic of their choosing over a two-year stretch. Scholars join an international cohort founded in the U.K. that focuses on agricultural learning opportunities and knowledge sharing. “The Nuffield program provides a dy- namic platform for people in agriculture to explore the world in search of ideas, innovations, policies and practices aimed at advancing Canadian agriculture,” said Steve Larocque, agronomist, chair of Nuffield Canada and a 2008 alumnus. The program is built to develop people as well as ideas, he added. Scholars are selected on the strength of their research topics, but also leadership potential and commitment to share knowledge. Candidates are generally mid-ca- reer professionals who are curious and motivated to contribute to something larger than themselves. The intent of the program is “to build human capacity by taking scholars out of their comfort zone, connecting them to a supportive and ambitious global peer-to-peer farmer net- work and helping them better understand the global food system,” said Larocque. Their worldly inspiration and innovative ideas can then have practical impact at home. Scholars engage in self-directed research, produce a written report and share their findings at ag industry events across Canada. They will also attend the Nuffield Annual Conference. This year, the Nuffield International Triennial will be held in Northern Ireland, May 18-26. Jolene Noble of Jackknife Creek Land and Cattle, near Manning, will receive fi- nancial sponsorship from Alberta Grains. Her research will focus on how family farms can stack enterprises to increase opportunity, resiliency and profitability. Although her research has just begun, the experience has already been positive. “My mentor Brenda Schoepp, the rest of the Nuffield Canada mentors, board and many alumni have been welcoming and supportive,” said Noble. Schoepp is a farmer and Nuffield vice-chair whose 2012 Nuffield scholarship project examined the mentorship of women in agriculture. Also a 2026 Nuffield Scholar, Ashley Nicholls lives near DeWinton. The found- er of REACH Ag, a livestock industry consulting business, he is the editor of Limousin Voice magazine. Funded by Nuffield Canada, his research will exam- ine the impacts of human management systems on the longevity and well-being of agricultural employees. It will focus on what he describes as an overlooked element of sustainability. “Strong people create strong farms that create strong communities,” he said. Nicholls hopes to learn how agricultural businesses in oth- er countries attract, retain and support employees, and how these lessons can be applied in Canada. Self-directedstudiesdeliver impact HEAD OF THE CLASS The value of the program is reflected in the experience of alumni such as Craig Lester, a 2023 Nuffield scholar and owner of Rural Roots Canada, an ag media busi- ness. Lester’s research examined how the agriculture sector can better navigate the evolution of the media landscape and tell its story to primarily urban audiences. In the process, he visited multiple countries where he met with journalists, farmers, communicators and broadcasters. The program’s impact extends well be- yond its research component, said Lester. “As a previous recipient, my Nuffield experience was enriching, enlightening and life changing. I grew personally and professionally.” Larocque agrees. “The value to Canadi- an agriculture is in the personal transfor- mation, the development of expertise and the transfer of global research back into Canadian contexts.” The 2026 Canadian cohort also in- cludes Antonious Petro of Montreal, QC, whose project will explore regenerative agriculture financing, and Kristen Kel- derman of Carrying Place, ON, who will examine the role of grief and resilience in farming. BY RYYNN RATHWELL “The Nuffield program provides a dynamic platform for people in agriculture to explore the world in search of ideas, innovations, policies and practices aimed at advancing Canadian agriculture.” —Steve Larocque