> VOlume 7 | Issue 1 | spring 2013

Guelph Students Favourites at North American Agri-Marketing Contest

A team of University of Guelph students won second place and the admiration of their competitors at a North American agricultural marketing contest.

Nine students in OAC agricultural business, science and marketing programs won second at the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) student marketing competition in Kansas City, Missouri. The Guelph team finished just two points behind the University of Minnesota, and was voted “most favourite team” by the 29 competing teams. The U of G team was only one of two Canadian teams at the event, the other being from the University of Saskatchewan. Teams began brainstorming innovative agricultural products last fall. They created an executive summary, a PowerPoint presentation and speaking notes before the contest in April. “For the summary, we research the market and competitive analysis, create a marketing plan  (From left to right) Front row: Laura Nanne, Emily den Haan with events and advertisements, complete and Melissa Parkinson Middle row: Eamonn McGuinty, Elizabeth Stubbs, Jill Brown and Lucas Meyer. the financial breakdown of what it will cost Back row: Rob Bos and Jeremy Fallis the company with all expenses included, and finally create a monitoring and measuring section,” explained Emily den Haan, president For Lucas Meyer, Guelph NAMA treasurer and of the Guelph NAMA student chapter. co-president, winning silver was a bonus.“After This is the first year Guelph has reached completing each presentation, we all were extremely CHANGING LIVES CHANGING LIVES the contestCHANGING final since LIVES placing third in 2007. happy, because we were proud of how we did and felt IMPROVING LIFE IMPROVING LIFE The teamI MPRtrainedOVING twice L aIFE week this year extremely confident about it,” he says. “It was a great and sought comment from local agricultural feeling, because even if we hadn’t moved on to the marketing professionals. next level, we were happy with our efforts.”He credits the agricultural marketing courses he has taken with “Having professionals and sponsors watch and helping him prepare for the event.“The competition is critique it helped us to think on our feet during intense, and the teams are quite competitive,” he said. the question-and-answer period, and made “The classes we took at Guelph helped with creating us feel confident in our product and marketing the marketing plan for our product.” plan throughout the three presentations,” said den Haan, a fourth-year student. “We are Joining den Haan and Meyer as part of the Most thankful for all the Canadian Agri-Marketing Favourite Team were Rob Bos, Jill Brown, Jeremy Association did for us; their support is the Fallis, Eamonn McGuinty, Laura Nanne, Melissa backbone to our chapter and its success.” Parkinson and Elizabeth Stubbs.

CHANGING LIVES CHANGING LIVES CHANGING LIVES IMPROVING LIFE IMPROVING LIFE IMPROVING LIFE FACE >forward | spring 2013

Message from the Dean 2

Supporting Growth in Food and Agriculture this issue Dean’s Message...... 2 I see OAC as a critical conduit between capable students, Student Successes...... 3 from all levels of post-secondary education, and sectors with a high demand for knowledgeable staff. MLA Conference – The Science Behind Design. . . . . 3 We support the growth of the food and agricultural sectors OAC Students Win in many ways. In partnerships with groups like the Conference at Project SOY...... 4 Board of Canada, the Toronto Board of Trade, and the ses Students Help Community President’s Council of Commodity Groups, OAC is working to Reduce its Carbon Footprint. . . . . 5 guarantee the graduates from our programs are well-informed Designing a New Look for Branion Plaza...... 6 industry leaders that can fill the widening gap between the number of sector jobs and the number of qualified graduates. master’s Student Creating Food-based Lotion ...... 6 We also forge partnerships to give our students the best Research ...... 7 opportunities; for example, sending two of our best business Improving Food Production students to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association in Developing Countries ...... 7 Convention to learn and network. Aquatic Ecosystems Research We host liaison events called Reach Ahead Days on campus Receives Funding...... 7 for potential students. Just this spring we engaged over new Environmental Microbiology 400 high school students through these graduate student of Agro-ecosystems Canada and faculty supported events. Students from St. Thomas, Research Chair...... 8 Clinton, Wellington County, Chesley, Orangeville, Mississauga, seDRD Project Benefits Ontario Mennonites...... 8 Richmond Hill, Toronto, Pickering and Oshawa (to name a few) all learned about the various OAC programs offered. We also r esearch Aimed at Big Cat Comfort...... 9 engaged 200 students through our first interactive online activity. Corn May Be The Next Step Our industry supporters and alumni also provide tremendous In Eye Care...... 10 support to ensure we have the capacity to engage and support OAC News ...... 11 our students. A great example of this is the new Reek Student p rovincial Government Services and Recruitment Centre at Ridgetown Campus. Alumni, Officials Visit the BDDC...... 11 industry and government supported this building rejuvenation Ken McEwan Named project that will see the new and improved facility open for Ridgetown Campus Director. . . . . 12 operation in September to welcome students. The building p rofessor Receives will double as a careers centre and as a welcome venue for Provincial Award ...... 12 prospective students and their parents. It will also serve to host new Arboretum Director Named. . . 13 conferences and other campus and community events. Campus d’Alfred Receives Building capacity within the walls of the University of Guelph Federal Funding to Boost and the Ontario Agricultural College is important, however I see Food Production in Africa ...... 14 OAC’s role as much more than that. We support capacity and OAC Program Counsellor growth in the agriculture and food sectors through our teaching, Receives Medallion ...... 14 research and community service. We take pride in working with using OAC Research in industry and supporting our students to do our part in ensuring High School Classrooms ...... 15 the future of agriculture and food is robust and vibrant. Alumni Come Out Strong in Outstanding Young Farmers Competition...... 16 g uelph Turfgrass Institute To Be Relocated ...... 17 Robert Gordon Dean, Ontario Agricultural College In Brief ...... 18 Guelph • Alfred • Kemptville • Ridgetown Upcoming Events...... 20 FACE >forward | spring 2013

Student Successes 3

MLA Conference – The Science Behind Design

Graduating Master of Landscape Architecture students pose during the 2013 MLA Conference.

Each year, for the last 21 years, Master of to their respective universities and pilot a Landscape Architecture (MLA) students organize student-run conference. It was then that Brown and execute an event to communicate their began including a student-run conference as part research findings to the public. of his course. “We try to model the conference on a professional, academic-style meetings common to This year the MLA Conference was held on landscape disciplines,” he explains. March 25th in Guelph, Ontario at the Guelph Over the years the conference has taken many Civic Museum and featured presentations by 16 different shapes, with the most recent years’ events advanced graduate students. Ranging in topics being run and organized by second-year students. from participatory design to typography, and The second year students plan, promote, execute cross-cultural professional values to the ecological and even provide food for the event. “That way the value of cemeteries, the presentations focused on third years can just show up and present. They focus communicating the student’s research work and on their thesis and the presentation,” Brown says. findings from the last year. This year’s conference was again a great success. The conference is put on as part of a research The presentations were professional but also seminar course run by Professor Robert Brown, relatable and presented in a way that the general that includes both second and third year students. audience could understand. “I was so pleased with The conference became part of the course shortly the professional quality of the presentations,” says after Brown joined the University of Guelph. Prof. Wayne Caldwell, Director of the School of “When I started on faculty I was the first to have a Environment Design and Rural Development who PhD. There were many professors who came from sat in on the day. “It’s a pleasure to attend events successful professional practice but I was hired to like this where we can celebrate our student’s encourage more scholarly study. To make landscape accomplishments,” he adds. architecture more evidence based,” he explains. For a full listing of students who presented The original concept for the conference came from a and their research topics visit www .uoguelph .ca/ brainstorming session with a colleague he met at a oac/news/science-behind-design conference. The two thought up the idea to go back . FACE >forward | spring 2013

Student Successes 4

OAC Students Win at Project SOY

Several OAC students took home prizes from the 17th annual Project SOY (Soybean Opportunities for Youth) competition for University of Guelph students.

The event showcased a dozen projects from a total of 25 University of Guelph students from the Guelph, Alfred, Kemptville and Ridgetown campuses. Students won cash prizes for diploma, undergraduate and graduate projects: first place, $2,500; second, $1,000; and third, $500. In the diploma category, Carolanne Levesque of Alfred campus won first prize for a soy-based alternative to industrial paper products. Second prize went to Soyboard, developed by Ridgetown students Justin Maxim and Angelica Rigas. Third place went to Sabrina Haerle and Michelle MacConnell of Alfred campus for Play Soy. Second place in the undergraduate category went to Elizabeth Chan for Soy Pro Muffins. Project SOY is sponsored by DEKALB Brand Seeds, SOY20/20, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs. < < < < Elizabeth Chan, a food science Carolanne Levesque Ridgetown students Justin Sabrina Haerle and Michelle student, placed second in the of Alfred campus Maxim and Angelica Rigas MacConnell of Alfred campus undergraduate category for won first prize in the placed second in the diploma place third in the diploma her Soy Pro Muffins. diploma category category for Soyboard category for their Play Soy. for a soy-based alternative to industrial paper products. FACE >forward | spring 2013

Student Successes 5

SES Students Help Community Reduce its Carbon Footprint

With the help of environmental science students, the community of Eden Mills has achieved a 22-per-cent decrease in emissions since 2007.

The Eden Mills Going Carbon Neutral Project started The Eden Mills team also wanted a national per capita with local community members who wanted to make carbon emission average that measured the same a positive environmental change. The project’s elements that the Eden Mills survey did, allowing for a goal is to produce no more carbon dioxide than fair comparison between the two. The results indicated the community’s trees can absorb. Tracking and that the net per capita emissions in the village were analyzing the community’s efforts is crucial to proving lower than the national average in the three categories the project’s success. From the beginning of the at just slightly higher than half of the average. project, fourth-year environmental science students Nigel Gale, Janelle Trant, Tom Schiks, Jake L’Ecuyer, in the “Project in Environmental Sciences” course Chris Jackson and Orland Vilcinski were part of the have helped the community track its efforts. student group that worked with the community in fall “We’re lucky,” says Charles Simon, a resident of 2010 and early 2011. They were assigned to develop Eden Mills and initiator of the project. “Some of the a project that could sequester the excess carbon best research is right here in Guelph. To start, we that the village emitted. “After multiple meetings needed help calculating the carbon absorption rate we decided that afforestation would be the most in trees, which would be critical in evaluating our appropriate carbon sequestration tool,” says Gale. success. With the help of researchers and students, The group conducted a cost-benefit analysis for the we have gotten some very valuable information on potential afforestation project. Working with Profs. trees, soils and microclimate. It added precision to Andy Gordon and Naresh Thevathasan, the students what we are doing.” went on to publish a paper on their research. The article appeared in the winter 2013 edition of Fourth-year students Laura Alpi, Ian Herzog, Studies by Undergraduate Researchers at Guelph. Emily Hope, Tobias Jones and Monika Susz were in charge of calculating the community’s carbon Released in November 2012, the students’ most footprint for 2011. Participating homes recorded recent survey indicated that the community’s hydro and propane bills as well as their household efforts have made Eden Mills 75-per-cent and travel emissions. The numbers are then carbon neutral. With each survey release, more collected and analyzed by the students every two communities are inspired by Eden Mills, and more years to calculate the community’s carbon footprint. than 20 neighbourhoods are now implementing The statistics are compared to numbers from similar projects. As Gale explains, “It signifies that previous years and national averages. people are collectively ready to actively tackle our environmental problems.” Adds Alpi: “I’ve learned The community also asked the students to do that everyday residents are powerful people, research on the Canadian average for CO2 emissions and they only need to unite and have dedicated measured in the survey: land travel, air travel and individuals to really champion their efforts.” homes. This data provided the residents and students with a more accurate basis to compare CO2 emissions. FACE >forward | spring 2013

Student Successes 6

Designing a New Look for Branion Plaza Original article by Susan Buback via AtGuelph

When Branion Plaza needed a new look in time for U of G’s 50th anniversary in 2014, the University sought design expertise from the people who know best: landscape architecture students in OAC.

Twelve master’s students in School of Environmental Sarah Taslimi placed second for a design that Design and Rural Development professor Cecelia included a diagonal path by the Bullring, where Paine’s class participated in a design competition many pedestrians already use a dirt path. Her plan launched by Don O’Leary, vice-president (finance also features a canopy structure in front of Zavitz Hall and administration), earlier this year. “There’s a lot of for special events. “I just wanted to make the area talent here,” says O’Leary, “so let’s use it. Not just this more colourful and playful.” time but in the future as well, and not just in landscape Kathleen Corey’s third-place design featured a architectural design but in other areas as well.” performance stage with terraced seating centered Ben Vander Veen won first prize for the best design, on Raithby House. She also lined the pathways with selected by a jury of professional landscape grey brick instead of the traditional red brick found architects and University staff. Components of his throughout campus to distinguish Branion Plaza design will be incorporated into the plaza’s renovation, from its surroundings. “It’s such a traditional place, scheduled to begin this summer. “We actually had the so I tried to modernize it without throwing out those opportunity to affect something that’s happening on traditions,” says Corey. “I thought it was exciting to campus,” says Vander Veen of the contest. His design learn about the history. I appreciate the buildings features a clock tower – a nod to Johnston Hall – as more. I have a completely different perspective.” well as walkways and seating areas. A proposed rain The jurors weren’t just looking for the best designs; garden by the Bullring collects stormwater flowing they were looking for designs that were effectively down the slope from the McLaughlin Library. presented. “You have to have both to win a Instead of working with a blank canvas, the students had competition. These three are really professionally to work with the campus master plan and incorporate communicated,” says Paine of the top three designs. the plaza’s historical features, such as the cannon. Master’s Student Creating Food-based Lotion Original article by Teresa Pitman via AtGuelph

Eighty per cent of traditional cosmetics contain harmful chemicals, but not this new lotion.

If the work of food science master’s student Fan water will begin to break down after a couple of months (Cendy) Wang and Prof. Alejandro Marangoni pans at room temperature. “It’s still safe from microbial out, lotion that softens and moisturizes your skin, growth,” says Wang, “but nobody wants to see drops doesn’t feel greasy and is so safe you could eat it, of water coming out of their hand lotion.” Kept in the may be available in stores within the next few years. fridge, the lotion will last for at least a year, “but people don’t usually store lotions in the fridge,” says Wang. The lotion Wang is developing uses food-grade oil that “So I am working on finding ways to make this product is processed into an emulsion with the oil encapsulated stable at room temperature.” in water and scented with natural fragrances (lavender and sweet vanilla or orange citrus). The end product After completing a B.A.Sc. in food science at Dalhousie is safe and appealing to the people who have tried it. and becoming interested in research, she came to U of It has a pleasant, non-greasy feel, it keeps skin soft for G for graduate studies. “I study food science because hours and the mild scent lasts a long time. “Everyone it is a practical subject and related to everyday life. who tries it seems to love it,” Wang says. I chose to do the cosmetic research because I think having better skincare products is important. I am quite The one drawback at this point is that it needs to be passionate about my research,” she says. kept refrigerated; otherwise the emulsion of oil and FACE >forward | spring 2013

Research 7

Improving Food Production in Developing Countries

Two projects, led by Plant Agriculture professors have earned praise from the federal government as models of innovative scientific research making a difference in developing countries.

The Canadian International Development Agency worth $800 million a year – because of poor storage. (CIDA) and Canada’s International Development Patented technology created by the Guelph-led Research Centre (IDRC) recently recognized the team uses plant-derived chemical compounds to research of Jayasankar Subramanian and Manish reduce post-harvest loss. Special fruit cartons, Raizada. Federal officials were in Guelph to meet the dividers and wraps lined with nanoparticles from professors and to launch Phase 2 of the Canadian coconut husks and banana plants help to prolong International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF), freshness and improve quality. The nanoparticles which will run for five more years and provide an come from agricultural waste products, creating new additional $62.5 million in support. income opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs, Phase 1 — also a five-year, $62-million initiative particularly women. — covered 19 projects with researchers from Raizada introduced “tool kits” to more than 2,000 11 Canadian universities and 26 organizations. marginalized farmers in Nepal, Sri Lanka and India The two Guelph projects were singled out as to help boost millet production. The hardy, nutritious examples of effective initiatives. CIFSRF supports grain is an important crop in Asia and Africa; seven partnerships between Canadian and developing- million farmers produce minor millets in South Asia country researchers to help subsistence farmers alone. The kits contain seed packages, storage find practical solutions to hunger and malnutrition. bags that prevent fungus and insects from spoiling Funded by CIDA and IDRC, the program is a key harvested millets, and micronutrients such as zinc, component of Canada’s food security strategy magnesium and iron. Instructional booklets tell announced at the 2009 G8 meeting. farmers how to conduct simple field tests and how Subramanian developed innovative packaging to to produce the highest yield. Farmers were also reduce post-harvest losses in mangoes, the second encouraged to use some of the extra income earned largest fruit crop in India and third in Sri Lanka. by increasing production to send their children – Farmers often lose 35 to 40 per cent of their crops – especially their girls – to school.

Aquatic Ecosystems Research Receives Funding

Paul Sibley, a professor and associate director of graduate studies in the School of Environmental Sciences, is part of a new national network intended to help protect Canada’s wetlands, lakes and rivers.

The new Canadian Network for Aquatic Ecosystem Canada’s aquatic ecosystems are tremendously Services (CNAES) received $4.4 million from the varied,” Sibley said. The network will take a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council watershed-based approach and focus on (NSERC). Partner organizations will provide an understudied systems such as northern wetlands additional $4.3 million. Sibley is among 27 researchers and the boreal forest – areas targeted for increased from 11 universities in the network, which will resource development – to identify and address address research issues in large northern wetlands, knowledge gaps in understanding of the types and connections between healthy forests and healthy range of ecosystems services they provide, he said. rivers, and lake ecosystems in Canada. Members include experts in remote sensing, biogeochemistry, fish ecology, modelling and hydrology. FACE >forward | spring 2013

Research 8

New Environmental Microbiology of Agro-ecosystems Canada Research Chair

School of Environmental Sciences professor, Kari Dunfield, now holds the new Tier 2 Environmental Microbiology of Agro-ecosystems CRC.

Tier 2 chairs are considered potential world leaders She studies how microorganisms help ensure in their fields and receive $100,000 a year for five environmental sustainability in agro-ecosystems. years. “The interdisciplinary nature of my work, Learning about key ecosystem services such as which brings together microbiology, biochemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, ecology and soil science, makes it highly and water quality may help in developing sustainable collaborative, and the CRC will allow me to continue farming practices. “Experts predict that the global to develop international ties and to attract and train population will reach nine billion by 2050, and to highly qualified personnel,” says Dunfield. feed everyone, we’ll need to double the amount of food we currently produce,” she says. “However, we understand that intensive agriculture can cause major environmental challenges.”

SEDRD Project Benefits Ontario Mennonites Original article by Andrew Vowels via AtGuelph

Helping improve services and funding prospects for a growing population of Mennonites in southwestern Ontario was the purpose of a recent project by U of G researchers.

Professor Harry Cummings, School of Environmental population. Another 10,000 live in Haldimand Design and Rural Development, hopes his recent and Oxford counties, says Harms. It’s the largest study of Mennonite Community Services (MCS) will concentration of Low German-speaking Mennonites help improve thousands of lives in rural Elgin County. in the province, he adds. Many lack post-secondary Along with two grad students, Patrick Kathoni and education and English-language skills. They Alberto Salguero, he completed a project last year often need help with basics such as landing a intended to help MCS in Aylmer, Ontario, streamline job, acquiring a driver’s license or completing its services and improve prospects for residents of government forms. Elgin and neighbouring counties. Harms says involving the University lends weight During repeated visits to the area south of London, to his organization. “Guelph has a good reputation. the Guelph team interviewed residents, led focus That gives the study a certain credibility and groups and administered surveys to help the agency gives MCS a lot more credibility with municipal gauge how well it meets local needs. Last summer, governments and other agencies.” the researchers shared their recommendations with Cummings says that the project has furthered MCS. So far, the agency has used their report to Guelph’s reputation for studies of rural planning and strengthen funding applications to governments and development. “Let’s build a better planet, but let’s agencies, says Abe Harms, executive director of start at home. To me, this is part of The Better Planet the organization. Most of that funding is needed for Project,” says Cummings. “We need to deal with settlement services, he says. malaria in Botswana as well as provincial literacy About 15,000 Mennonites live in Elgin, making levels in rural Ontario. Both are relevant issues and up about one-quarter to one-third of the county’s need to be dealt with.” FACE >forward | spring 2013

Research 9

Research Aimed at Big Cat Comfort Original article by Teresa Pitman via AtGuelph

Animal science PhD student Judy Stryker is studying the comfort of jaguars, lions, pumas, snow leopards and Siberian tigers in zoos.

Stryker says zoo designers are giving more thought the zoo keepers will take rectal temperatures while to the comfort and well-being of the animals living Stryker is taking thermal images. This will allow her there than in past years, when their goal was to to more accurately calibrate the connection between make the animal habitats interesting for the people the animals’ core temperatures and the external who come to visit. Her research encourages that temperatures captured by the thermal camera: eyes, shift by giving zoos one more factor to consider: inner ears, urine and fecal matter as it is voided. thermo-regulation, or how the animals maintain a If the thermal camera can provide an accurate way comfortable body temperature. to determine an animal’s internal body temperature, “I’m looking at the big cats and trying to compare it could provide a non-invasive method of assessing the different species,” she explains. She studies the animal’s health, says Stryker. “We often don’t the big cats by using a thermal camera to produce know that a dangerous carnivore is sick until we see images that translate temperature into colour. The obvious behaviours. This technique could detect a results are what Stryker calls “some pretty neat fever or elevated temperature and help us recognize technicolour pictures of animals.” illness sooner.” Her research has a number of goals. One is to The next step in Stryker’s work will be to apply develop an understanding of how these animals this research to exhibit design. “There is so much behave throughout the day in a zoo environment. that goes into the design of zoo enclosures, and Her results so far will seem familiar to owners of now I hope we can add something else: thermal domestic cats: they sleep a lot. Stryker also says comfort.”Some of the design elements are simple, the big cats may be crepuscular, meaning they she says: making sure the animals have access to are most active at dawn and dusk and less active sufficient shade, adding in-ground heating pads for during the day and night, although more work is the animals that are most sensitive to the cold, and needed to confirm this. being aware of how the exhibit is oriented to the movement of the sun and the prevailing winds. She’s also hoping to validate the use of the thermal camera to determine the actual body temperatures While her work is still preliminary, Stryker is excited of the animals. Earlier this year, Stryker and others about the possibilities for better understanding in a research group led by Prof. Esther Finegan the needs of these animals. “I have always been visited a zoo with nine Bengal tigers, where the interested in animal behaviour and animal welfare,” staff are trying to train their tigers to tolerate rectal she says. “While it is not easy to find funding to thermometers. If the training is successful, one of study zoo animals, it’s important work.” FACE >forward | spring 2013

Research 10

Corn May Be The Next Step In Eye Care

Corn could offer a solution to vision problems that many people face as they age, according to a new study by Department of Plant Agriculture professor Elizabeth Lee.

Plant Agriculture researchers bred a new strain and we wondered whether it was possible to get of corn to contain the antioxidants lutein and these antioxidants to people?” he said. “Since most zeaxanthin, which protect eyes. The corn was fed hens are fed corn, the best solution seems to be egg to chickens that laid eggs rich in these helpful yolks where the carotenoids would be accompanied carotenoids. The researchers speculated that by oils, which may facilitate absorption by the human the carotenoids in the egg yolk would be more body. We found that lutein and zeaxanthin contents concentrated and absorbed better than those of the eggs were increased in hens ingesting this ingested directly from corn. novel corn, so this gives us something to work with.” In age-related macular degeneration, a progressive The researchers crossed Argentine Orange Flint eye disease that is the leading cause of blindness maize with standard North American corn. The new in older adults, the eyes are low in lutein and breed contains more lutein and zeaxanthin than any zeaxanthin. Doctors routinely recommend eating other corn known. “This was something that we felt leafy greens, the only other vegetables rich in had potential for not just egg producers but also these antioxidants. Ontario corn farmers,” said post-doctoral researcher Andrew Burt. “The goal for our team was to take In the paper published in the journal Crop Science, our concept and create products that would be Lee reported that the high-carotenoid diet produced beneficial to farmers and which consumers will want. eggs containing the antioxidants. Eggs from hens We still have some work to do, but we proved the fed this corn contained less lutein than those of concept is a valid one.” hens fed marigold petal extract, the current way of producing high-lutein eggs. But the researchers Lee and her team are encouraged by the findings, believe that it is possible to breed new corn hybrids which show that researchers can breed plants that contain more lutein and zeaxanthin, leading to produce functional foods. “This is a way in to eggs with more of these beneficial compounds, which crop scientists can produce items that have and providing benefits to both egg consumers improved nutritional benefits for human health,” she and corn producers. said. “It seems likely that we can achieve greater results in the future, and provide lasting benefits for Professor Barry Shelp also worked on the study. farmers and consumers.” “Elizabeth had theorized that it was possible to breed corn with increased lutein and zeaxanthin, FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 11

Provincial Government Officials Visit the BDDC

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals, and Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation Reza Moridi all visited the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre (BDDC) in April.

Premier Wynne made her first official visit to campus of Ontario, and PlantForm. At the BDDC, Moridi met as the Minister of Agriculture and Food on April 22nd with director Amar Mohanty and OAC dean Rob to discuss the University’s partnership with the Ontario Gordon. At PlantForm, Moridi met with environmental Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the sciences professor Chris Hall who developed Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). She visited the BDDC, recombinant antibody technology to make antibodies where scientists use plant materials to make bio-based from plants. PlantForm is licensing this technology to plastics and bioproducts, to see an example of a use tobacco plants to make therapeutic antibodies, successful program under the partnership. including for use in cancer treatment. Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph-Wellington and Ontario Phase II of the BDDC is currently under Minister of Education, accompanied the premier. construction. The project received support from They met with Kevin Hall, U of G’s Vice-President many sources, including $2 million from the Federal (Research); Rich Moccia, Associate Vice-President Economic Development Agency for Southern (Research and Strategic Partnerships); engineering Ontario (FedDev Ontario). A major Canadian bank professor Manjusri Misra; and BDDC Director Amar has also agreed to support the project with a Mohanty, a professor in the Department of Plant $1.25 million gift. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Agriculture and holder of the Premier’s Research and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs contributed Chair in Biomaterials and Transportation. $550,000, Bill Harrison OAC ’62 contributed a $250,000 gift and the OAC Classes of ‘61 and ’62 Reza Moridi, Ontario minister of research and contributed more than $150,000 to the project. innovation, visited the University of Guelph on April 3rd. He toured the BDDC as well as the Biodiversity Institute < < Premier Wynne visits with students working Amar Mohanty explains to Premier Wynne and in the BDDC for the summer. Ontario minister of education Liz Sandals how BDDC researchers use plant materials to make bio-based plastics. FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 12

Ken McEwan Named Ridgetown Campus Director

Ken McEwan has been named director of the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus. McEwan’s five-year term began May 1.

Rob Gordon, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, our important sector,” says Gordon. Known as a made the announcement on May 6th. “I am extremely strategic innovator, McEwan conducts applied research excited, as is the entire Ridgetown Campus community, in agricultural economics and policy. He completed by Ken’s vision and commitment to excellence for the a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a Ridgetown Campus,” says Gordon. “It has certainly bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of been a pleasure to work closely with Ken in his interim Guelph. He is a professional member of American and role over the past 16 months, and I look forward to his Canadian agricultural economics associations. leadership as director.” “I look forward to working with all our community As Ridgetown’s tenth director, he will oversee 120 stakeholders in this special leadership position,” faculty and staff and an annual budget worth more McEwan says. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity than $18.5 million. McEwan has been acting interim to work with such dedicated educators and research director since Jan. 1, 2012. Earlier, he was research scientists to advance Ridgetown Campus’s applied co-ordinator at Ridgetown. McEwan joined the mandate that is so valued by our many industry Campus in 1990 as a college professor in production partners, clients and alumni.” economics and agribusiness, and is an adjunct McEwan succeeds Art Schaafsma, who served as professor in U of G’s Department of Food, director from 2007 to 2011. Schaafsma teaches Agricultural and Resource Economics. and studies integrated pest management, and “Ken is a well-respected leader in the Ontario agriculture manages Ridgetown’s Centre for Agricultural industry, and has clearly demonstrated ability in Renewable Energy and Sustainability. partnering with government and industry to enhance

Professor Receives Provincial Award

Dr. Robert Brown, a landscape architecture professor from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, received the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects Research and Innovation Award.

The award, which was presented to Brown at the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) Annual Meeting in Ottawa on March 22, acknowledges Brown’s leading role in research and innovation in landscape architecture. It is only the second time the award has been presented. Brown was recognized due to his efforts to make his research accessible and relevant to the profession, while enhancing the knowledge-base of the discipline. Brown is a top landscape architectural scholar in Canada and he is the most-published. He is highly-ranked worldwide and is in the top 10% of landscape architect scholars in North America for research productivity. The University of Guelph’s landscape architecture programs are recognizable in large part because of Brown’s international reputation for research. The award is very fitting as Brown was the first faculty member in the department to hold a

PhD, hired to enhance and encourage the research and < science side of the profession. Landscape architecture professor Robert Brown FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 13

New Arboretum Director Named

Professor Shelley Hunt, a forest ecologist and faculty member in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES), has been named director of the Arboretum, effective Feb. 11.

Hunt took over leadership from Professor Jonathan Newman, director of SES, who served as interim director since Prof. Alan Watson stepped down from the position in 2012 after more than 20 years at the Arboretum. “My first steps as director will be listening to and learning from the staff, visitors and the community. I hope to increase awareness on campus of the wonderful work being done at the Arboretum in biodiversity conservation and environmental education, and to strengthen its role as a research hub,” says Hunt. Hunt completed her B.Sc. and PhD at Guelph. She highlights that the 165-hectare green space was one of her favourite places to visit on campus while a student at the University. Hunt will continue to teach and conduct research at the University, where she has been on faculty since 2006. Her research currently focuses on forest restoration in southern Ontario. “The Arboretum offers a combination of plant collections and natural areas such as woodlands and meadow,” says Hunt. “It provides opportunities for teaching and research and extensive outreach to the broader community, with dedicated volunteers from on and off campus. This is important green space on campus and part of the City of Guelph’s natural heritage system.” The University of Guelph Arboretum is the largest and most comprehensive sanctuary of its kind in Ontario, it is home to more than 18,000 specimens in more than 30 plant collections as well as gardens, wetlands, nature trails and forests. Each year more than 73,000 people visit the Arboretum, and more than 6,000 people participate in < workshops, guided tours and special events. Shelley Hunt is the new director of The Arboretum. FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 14

Campus d’Alfred Receives Federal Funding to Boost Food Production in Africa

The Campus will lead a project that aims to reduce poverty and increase food self-sufficiency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by increasing the production of renewable charcoal on farms that interplant acacia trees with cassava and corn.

In recognition of Earth Day, Pierre Lemieux, MP capital city. The Institute’s graduates will be offered for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell and Parliamentary a parcel of land on which to implement the project’s Secretary to the Federal Minister of Agriculture, agro-forestry model. This is particularly significant announced the agro-forestry initiative through because it will help them generate up to $15,000 Campus d’Alfred that will improve food production, each in household income. reduce poverty and help African families adapt “There is no better day than today, Earth Day, to put a to weather-related challenges in the Democratic spotlight on this successful agro-forestry project that Republic of the Congo. will effectively address climate change issues while Twenty graduates from Kinshasa’s Institut des ensuring the future of food security and economic Sciences Agro-vétérinaires, and another 200 growth for the people of the Democratic Republic of households from the surrounding area in the the Congo,” said Axel Alliez, International Projects Democratic Republic of the Congo, will be trained Manager, University of Guelph – Campus d’Alfred. in agro-forestry and entrepreneurship. The training, He went on to explain that the initiative “will make the which aims to address the marketing of agricultural implementation of an efficient agro-forestry model products, will help to create more jobs in and around possible in order to improve crop yields and provide Kinshasa. It will also help to partly respond to the the Kinshasa area population with a renewable food and energy needs of communities outside the charcoal energy source.”

OAC Program Counsellor Receives Medallion

The University of Guelph 2013 Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising Medallion was awarded to Melinda Vanryn, an OAC program counsellor.

Melinda advises students in the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Agriculture (Minor) and Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management programs. The award recognizes faculty advisors, program counsellors, or academic advising staff who are identified by undergraduate students as having made an outstanding contribution to undergraduate academic advising at the University of Guelph. Melinda received nominations from five different undergraduate students. In her nomination letter, undergraduate student Laura Nanne stated: “It was Melinda’s accurate information and perceptive questions that led me to the program and major that I am still excited to be in today. As a mature transfer student planning to complete her degree early along with a Certificate in Business and the Certificate in Leadership, Melinda is a key resource and a tremendous contributor to my success.” FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 15

Using OAC Research in High School Classrooms

The OAC and Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE) have recently released three new lesson plan resources for Ontario’s high school teachers. The free lesson plans on animal, food and plant science are available for download by teachers for use in their classrooms.

OAC has been a long-standing supporter of The goal of the collaboration is to support teachers OAFE, which is a registered charity that provides in accessing information and activities that will educational programming about food, farming encourage critical thinking about agri-food topics and agriculture. OAFE develops curriculum-based and research. This critical thinking will, in turn, resources that articulate agri-food messages, encourage students to think about how they provides professional development services for themselves could be involved in the sector. “Each Ontario educators, and provides consultative lesson opens the door for discussions about career support to major agricultural events. opportunities in the agri-food sector and the post- secondary options which help students to obtain The inspiration for the most recent OAC-OAFE those exciting positions,” says Parker; discussions collaboration came from a need for high school level that more students need to have. content for Canadian Agriculture Literacy Week on March 3rd – 10th. Working with OAC’s Liaison Officer, Getting high school aged youth to think of career Karen Nelson, OAFE staff developed three lesson in agriculture and food is something the sector plans from the OAC research highlighted in the is struggling with. In fact, many companies and 2012-13 Agri-Food Yearbook Edition of the University organizations have reported an ever-growing of Guelph’s Research Magazine. labour gap between demand for graduates and supply. “OAC’s outreach program was developed “The articles in the Research Magazine highlight to help address these future labour shortages,” the role of agri-food research in improving the lives explains Nelson. “Providing instructional resources of humans and animals around the world. It helps to teachers allows for students to be introduced to to draw a real-world connection between agri-food, topics in food, agriculture and the environment that the products we use every day and the challenges they may not have otherwise received.” that face our society,” explains Becky Parker, OAFE Project Development Coordinator. “Not only is the OAC began its outreach initiatives about three content intriguing and relevant, but because it is years ago. Along with Reach Ahead Days, written by university students it offers a youthful that invite students in the Specialist High Skills connection for students in high school classrooms,” Majors (SHSM) program to experience a day on she adds. The magazine articles were written and campus, staff have run professional development coordinated by University of Guelph students involved workshops for teachers and also created lesson in the University’s Students Promoting Awareness of plan resources. In total there are nine lesson plans Research Knowledge (SPARK) program. available for download through the OAC website; three developed by OAFE, three by OAC staff and The key benefit of partnering with OAFE is their professors, and three French lesson plans were connection to high schools. OAFE is able to connect developed by OAC’s Campus d’Alfred staff. with high school teachers and have them comment on the activities, which is crucial for ensuring the success of the resource in the classroom. OAFE staff also offers valuable feedback by providing curriculum linking and assessment for each resource, thus making the content even more valuable in classrooms. FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 16

Alumni Come Out Strong in Outstanding Young Farmers Competition

Five out of the six finalist couples included at least one partner who was an OAC graduate.

Ontario Agricultural College alumnus Adam Thatcher, Rob Gordon, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, Class of ’95A, and his wife Dana were recently was among the judges for this year’s competition and named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for was thrilled to find the nominees rich in connections 2013. Adam and Dana own and operate Thatchers’ with OAC. “Five out of the six couples included at Farms in Rockwood, Ontario and received this top least one partner who was an OAC graduate. It was honour at the provincial awards ceremony held great to see all had such strong connections with the in Guelph on March 26. Winners of the award are University of Guelph,” Gordon said. chosen based on career progress; environmental Mark Brock, B.Sc. (Agr) ’97, and wife Sandi of and safety practices; crop and livestock production Shepherd Creek Farms in Staffa were named as history; financial and management practices; and Runner-Ups due to their “early adoption” attitude contributions to society. towards new technology and commitment to Nominated by Ontario Farm Fresh, the Thatchers increasing profitability while working with the altered their operation in 2007 from being a struggling environment. Other nominees included: Brianne and hog farm, to now a thriving 250 ewe sheep operation Chris Brown, B.Sc. (Agr) ’03, of Beslea Farms in and farm gate retail shop that features their own Yarker; Deb and Ian McGregor, B.Sc. (Agr.) ’01, of naturally raised meats, including hormone and McGregor’s Produce in Braeside; and Collin Walker, additive-free lamb, beef, pork and chicken. In addition B.Sc. (Agr.) ’00, and Tanya Walker, Class of ’00A, they sell Mennonite-smoked summer sausage, of Walkhavern Farms in Stayner. Curtis and Heidi Omega-3 eggs, honey, maple syrup, fruit jams and Fielding of Fielding Estates Winery in Beamsville Dana’s ever popular home-baked meat pies. Dana were also nominated for this prestigious award. and Adam will now represent Ontario at the National competition being held in November in Regina, Saskatchewan, where they will meet the winners from the other provinces, one of whom will ultimately be named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. < From left to right: Mark and Sandi Brock, Collin and Tanya Walker, Chris and Brianne Brown, Adam and Dana Thatcher, Ian and Deb McGregor, and Curtis and Heidi Fielding. FACE >forward | spring 2013

OAC News 17

Guelph Turfgrass Institute To Be Relocated

Negotiations are underway to see the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) move its headquarters to a portion of the University of Guelph’s Arboretum.

The 60-hectare site where the GTI is currently Plans pay special attention to ensuring no harm will located is part of the Guelph Innovation District, a come to the Arboretum and its collections. While 436-hectare swath of east-end land stretching from people naturally associate the Arboretum with trees, Victoria Road to Watson Road that is set for future a portion of the Arboretum has open meadows and development. The land is currently owned by the it is within a few of these areas that some research province, however the City of Guelph has been in plots would be established. The loss of trees will long-term negotiations on the sale and development be very limited and upmost importance is being of this land. A concept plan released last fall depicts given to ensuring no trees that the Arboretum has residential and mixed-use development on the identified as having any significance are harmed. current GTI site. The plans also do not disturb the existing and popular cross-country running course, which winds The GTI has an agreement to use its current property through the property and is used to host many until 2018, however GTI stakeholders are planning meets each year. for the time when the institute must move. OAC is taking a lead on the relocation project by working The proposal currently being pursued would see closely with Infrastructure Ontario, the City of Guelph, some renovation of the Arboretum’s R.J. Hilton and GTI stakeholders to develop a relocation plan Centre, with a new Frost Centre being built at the that works for all parties involved. The working Arboretum site as well. The founding gift to fund the group includes Arboretum staff, GTI staff and building of the G.M. Frost Research and Information faculty, members of the turfgrass industry, University Centre came from Mac and Beth Frost of Stouffville, of Guelph and OAC staff, Agroforestry Ontario, Ontario. As developers, owners and managers of Agriculture Research institute of Ontario, OMAFRA, golf courses, the Frosts has a special appreciation the U of G Athletics Department and other users of and understanding of the importance of research on the Guelph Research Station and the Arboretum. turfgrasses and management techniques and their The City of Guelph has been supportive throughout impact on the environment. the planning process. The working group will continue to meet on a The working group is developing a plan to move regular basis to negotiate and protect all the various parts of the GTI and limited research station facilities stakeholder’s interest. Although the exact timing of within the Arboretum. Research work being done the execution of the plan is currently not set, the at the GTI will be divided among several locations. nature of the research at GTI will require it to be well Some of the larger research plots will likely be moved in advance of the lease expiring in 2018. to the university’s Elora Research Station, but details are still being worked out. FACE >forward | spring 2013

In Brief 18

Kemptville Campus recently produced three The annual Tractor Tug for Tots, organized by 15 second commercials that ran on CTV Ottawa. the Student Federation of the Ontario Agricultural The ads promote the new Food Science and College (SFOAC), was honoured at the 2013 Quality Management, and Equine Care and Student Life Awards on March 21 with a Be the Management diploma programs. View the ads Change award. This year, the students raised at www .youtube .ca/UofGuelphOAC more than $6,000 for Right to Play, a global organization using sports and games for children Ridgetown Campus has reappointed facing adversity. Dr . Irene Moore as the Associate Director – Academic. Dr. Moore recently completed a five School of Environmental Sciences Professor year term as Associate Director – Academic for Gard Otis was featured in the winter issue of Ridgetown commencing in 2007. Her next term will UniWorld magazine. UniWorld is the official complete at the end of 2017. publication of the Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada and is only released twice a Two Master of Landscape Architecture students year. Gard and beekeeper trainee, Tran Thi Hoa, received 2013 grants from the Landscape in the Hà Tinh province of Vietnam are featured Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF). Victoria on the cover. The accompanying article focuses Cox and Jonathan Epp used their $1,500 awards on University of Guelph’s six-year collaborative toward completing their research goals of helping project with Vietnam’s Bee Research and to tackle vitamin D deficiency and improving Development Centre (BRDC). adaptation to climate change.

Rene Van Acker, Department of Plant Agriculture professor and OAC Associate Dean External Relations, was one of 15 experts who contributed to an expert panel on the management of water resources in Canadian agriculture convened by the Council of Canadian Academies on the sustainable management of water and land resources in Canada. The panel’s report, “Water and Agriculture in Canada: Towards Sustainable Management of Water Resources,” can be downloaded from the CCA website at www .scienceadvice .ca/en .aspx

The Tomatosphere Project received a $25,000 2012 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Award for < Science Promotion. The project was created by The Tomatosphere Team receive an NSERC Award for environmental sciences professor Mike Dixon and Science Promotion. From left to right; Dr. Robert Thirsk, VP former Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Public Government and Institute Affairs, CIHR and former Canadian Astronaut; Dr. Mike Dixon, Professor and Director Thirsk, now vice-president of public, government CESRF, University of Guelph; The Right Honourable Gary and institute affairs at the Canadian Institutes of Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). Health Research. FACE >forward | spring 2013

In Brief 19

Animal Science PhD candidate Emily Miller- Cushon spent her 2013 Winter Semester researching in north-eastern Spain. Emily holds a NSERC-CGS award, which is awarded based on academic merit, research experience and communication. The program supports high calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad.

Fawn Turner, a PhD student in the Department of

< Plant Agriculture, was one of three outstanding Emily Miller-Cushon site-seeing in Barcelona, Spain during volunteers from the University of Guelph who her winter semester working with a research group at the Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries. received the 2013 William Winegard Exemplary Volunteer Involvement Awards from the United The two University of Guelph Poultry Clubs Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin and the received a $3,500 donation from the Poultry Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington. Industry Council (PIC) in honour of the late Bruce Jessica Kelly, a master’s student in the Department Hunter. The donation was split between the OAC of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, and OVC Poultry Clubs and will go toward club received the 2013 Douglas McRorie Memorial activities and initiatives. Scholarship from the Agricultural Institute of Maryam Sultan, a School of Environmental Canada Foundation. Sciences master’s student, was awarded the Congratulations to Braden Evans, a graduate Entomological Society of Canada M.Sc. scholarship student in the School of Environmental Sciences, for her research on “The Application of Sterile Insect who received the 2013 Associate Vice President Technique to Control the American Serpentine Academic Teaching Assistant Award of Excellence. Leafminer in Ornamental Greenhouses”.

Congratulations to Candice Van Laecke, an Agriculture Business student, who was elected as the 2013-14 President of the Student Federation of OAC (SFOAC).

At the recently held Ontario Pork Industry Council AGM, three of the four available positions were filled by OAC ‘02 grads. Congrats toAdam Rae of Alltech, Bridgette (Lee) Dyce of Fearmans Pork Inc. and Jay Squire of Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd.

Mary Anne Smith, a PhD student in Food Science, ®

won the University of Guelph 3MT – 3 Minute < Thesis competition where graduate students Leanne Cooley, Vice Chair PIC & Special Events Committee Chair, shakes hands with Jacob Pelissero, competed in heats on who could best explain their SFOAC Poultry Club President. research work in three minutes or less. Mary Anne came out on top with her presentation: “Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy”. FACE >forward | spring 2013

Upcoming Events 20

Graduation Ceremonies / Convocation

May 24 | Kempville Campus 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 25 | Campus d’Alfred 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 31 | Ridgetown Campus 2013 Graduation Ceremony June 13 | Guelph Campus 2013 OAC Convocation

Alumni Weekend

June 14 – 16 | The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

More details at www .alumni .uoguelph .ca/

Associate Dean, External Relations Design > Deuce Design Rene Van Acker > [email protected] FACE >forward is published in electronic format three times per Communications Manager year by the OAC Dean’s Office, Johnston Hall, University of Guelph, Stephanie Craig > [email protected] Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Communications Intern For your free subscription, or any inquires contact Stephanie Craig Maggie McCormick > [email protected] at [email protected] or 519-824-4120 ext 56832 A position supported by Glacier Media Website: www.oac.uoguelph.ca