Canada (Rural Roots Canada) – Nuffield Canada has announced its scholars for 2025.
Four people, two from Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia have been selected to receive the $20,000 scholarships, allowing them to challenge themselves in self-directed research programs with international travel and experiential learning.
The 2025 scholars include:
Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, from Mossbank, Saskatchewan, is an advocate for modern-day farming and the former director and president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, international director for the Global Farmers Network, and workshop facilitator for Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan. her topic will focus on the impacts of renewable energy infrastructure on agricultural land in terms of production and land value.
Jenna Sarich, from Craik, Saskatchewan, shares her role as Technical Consultant and Analyst for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) and Public and Stakeholder Engagement – a program of the Canadian Cattle Association. Her Nuffield topic will examine the environmental sustainability of beef cattle systems and the importance of a holistic view when assessing environmental indicators.
Chris van den Heuvel, from Port Hood, Nova Scotia, is known for his years on the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. He has spent more than 20 years as a senior systems analyst specializing in Microsoft programming languages, portal-based solutions, and interfacing between heterogeneous platforms. His topic will examine leveraging open-source technology for agricultural efficiency, reducing equipment cost of ownership, and overcoming repair barriers.
Georgia Lewis, from North Alton, Nova Scotia, is the Technical Lead for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund. She manages the delivery of the OFCAF program to both Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Lewis will explore poultry manure management techniques and processing for crop nutrients: A pathway to a sustainable circular economy.
“The Nuffield journey is life-changing for scholars as they travel the world to research and develop expertise that will reshape our Canadian agricultural sector with innovation, global perspectives and thought leadership,” says Steve Larocque, Chair of Nuffield Canada and 2008 Scholar.
Nuffield Scholars can come from all areas of primary production, industry, or governance of agriculture, and are required to do a minimum of 10 weeks of travel study with a two-year window to examine and research an issue that is relevant to the field of agriculture. Each scholar prepares a written report of their findings and presents a summary to the Nuffield Board, with peers, sponsors, and industry leaders.
To review previous Nuffield Canada Scholar Reports, you can visit the Nuffield website.
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