Panel: The Latest in Ontario Organic Research
Here’s your chance to learn about Organic Science Cluster 4 (OSC4) research happening in Ontario and across Canada. Join researchers Dr. Andrew Hammermeister (science impact), Dr. Liette Vasseur (vineyard agroecosystems), Dr. Robert Nurse (dry bean agronomy) and William Savard (climate resilient organic dairy) as they share their research, thoughts on farming challenges and ways to support adoption of new practices. Session moderated by Dr. Desirée Jans, OSC4 Science Project Coordinator.
Dr. Andrew Hammermeister is the Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. Andrew is the coordinator and student advisor as well as a course instructor for the Certificate of Specialization in Organic Agriculture offered by Dalhousie University. The OACC is proud to be a member of IFOAM Organics International and promotes it principles as well as its vision presented as Organic 3.0. Andrew is presently the Science Director for the Organic Science Cluster, the coordinated national initiative for organic research in Canada. He sits on the national organic standards review committee and several other organic sector committee. He is a Board Member of ISOFAR (the International Society of Organic Farming Research) and Organic Nova Scotia. Andrew collaborates in organic research ranging from soil fertility and weed management to sustainability and biodiversity.
Dr. Robert Nurse, a research scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, specializes in sustainable weed management strategies for field and horticultural crops. With an MSc (2000) from the University of Guelph and a PhD (2004) from Cornell University, his work focuses on the effects of environment on weed growth, reproduction, and adaptation. Funded by the Organic Science Cluster, he is exploring organic weed management in dry beans and roller-crimped systems. Dr. Nurse has published extensively on organic weed management and serves as Associate Editor for Weed Technology and Agronomy Journal. He is also President of the Canadian Weed Science Society.
Dr. Liette Vasseur earned her BSc Honours from Université de Sherbrooke, MSc from Université du Québec à Montréal, and PhD from Queen’s University. Growing up on a farm in Québec, she developed a strong appreciation for rural sustainability. Trained as a biologist, she integrates social sciences into her work to better understand social-ecological systems. Dr. Vasseur supervises students in both biology and sustainability science
William Savard is an agricultural biologist with a passion for sustainable agriculture. He graduated from a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in plant biology at Laval University. After a period in education, William has returned to his agricultural roots as a research technician at Laval University Agroecology Lab. His current interests include cover crops, soil health, and biodiversity. Although he specializes in plant sciences, he is always eager to discuss his beehives and hens.
