There’s a saying about decisions being only as good as the information they’re based on. The same could be said for agronomic decisions based on maps; the better the map, the better the decision. When Cory Willness, based at Naicam, Sask., got going in his agronomist role, most field maps (if they existed) were based... Read More

Agronomy Geeks

Agronomy Geeks, Ep. 14: Cory Willness

With 20 years of teaching and research achieved, Don Flaten says it’s time to retire. It’s a retirement well earned, as the soil scientist with the University of Manitoba has taught over a thousand students the ins and outs of soil, its importance, and revealed to many the complexity of nutrient interactions. Flaten has also... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 13: Don Flaten

For some, farming is in their DNA — whether they like it or not. Even when they set out on a path very different from agriculture, some find their way back for one reason or another; and, frankly, agriculture is better for it. In this episode of Agronomy Geeks, host Lyndsey Smith is joined by... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 12: Errin Willenborg

If you’re looking for a little snack and happen to be standing in a patch of weeds, it’s entirely possible the plants at your feet are edible — maybe even tasty. If you’re looking for help on which one to eat, you might be surprised to learn that Ontario’s weed specialist can tell you not... Read More

Agronomy Greeks, Ep 11: Mike Cowbrough

What happens when you put two past colleagues with a shared passion for agronomy extension, quizzes, and talking into headsets together, then hit record? You get 20 minutes of banter about canola, of course, but also calling a baseball game, why faba beans need more love, six-year crop budgets, and over-sized banana statues. True story.... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 10: If it’s fun, it gets done — Jay Whetter on interactive learning

What will agronomy look like five or ten years from now? Will drones and automation have replaced agronomists and field walks? There’s no denying that technology definitely plays a larger role in his job than it used to, says Shane Thomas, agronomist with Yara Canada. From field mapping software, to variable rate capabilities, NDVI readings,... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep. 9: Shane Thomas

For anyone that’s ever done an agriculture diploma or degree, there’s likely a course that elicited groans when you’d see it on the schedule. For some it’s likely communications, for others maybe statistics, but for many it’s soil science. That was the case for Marla Riekman, which is ironic, given that she now serves as... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep.8: Marla Riekman

How do you know when it’s time to set up shop on your own? And in this day and age of rapidly evolving precision agriculture and technology, how does a boots-on-the-ground agronomist carve her niche? Deb Campbell has addressed both those tough topics — the first, in 2012, after a few almosts and could-have-beens, and... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep. 7: Deb Campbell

Give a boy a burdock plant, and he’ll be irritated for a day. Teach a boy to kill said burdock plant, and he just may go on to be a provincial weed control specialist. At least, that’s the path that Clark Brenzil, weed specialist for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, took. In this episode of... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep. 6: Clark Brenzil

If you think you’ve got a challenging territory to cover, have you considered being an agronomist in several provinces, nearly 2,000 kilometres apart? That’s what Steph Kowalski, agronomy lead for the Agromart Group, tackles season in and season out as she covers not only Ontario, but much of the Atlantic provinces, as well. Long-distance agronomy... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 5: Steph Kowalski

Some people are bean counters, but Scott Meers chose instead to be a bug counter. Now, let’s start off by saying that Meers, insect management specialist for Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, absolutely knows that not all insects are bugs. But when it comes to extension and making insect management accessible, Meers knows full well that... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 4: Scott Meers

There are so many different roles in the farming and agriculture industry, it’s rare to find someone who ended up in exactly the job they always thought they’d have. More often than not, a string of opportunities is presented to a person with talents and interests and the wherewithal to pursue them, and — boom... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 3: Ellen Sparry

It’s not often that we hear about first-generation farmers. It’s also rare to hear about someone picking up and moving provinces to begin to farm, but that’s what Steve Larocque did, moving from near Greely, Ontario, to eventually farm at Three Hills, Alberta. Larocque isn’t just any grain farmer, either. Admittedly, he’s small scale and... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep 2: You can’t drive there: Steve Larocque

If ever you’ve tried to communicate something you’ve learned or something you’ve experienced, you may have realized quickly that being an engaging communicator is actually quite difficult. Some are born with a talent for riveting storytelling, others work diligently to learn new ways to capture the audiences’ attention. And some, like Peter Johnson, are an... Read More

Agronomy Geeks, Ep: 1 — Peter ‘Wheat Pete’ Johnson

Ever wonder how your favourite agronomist got their start? Or why a researcher chose their particular area of expertise? In the Agronomy Geeks podcast we talk to the men and women who’ve made an impact in the field of agronomy, and cover highlights from their lives and careers and what makes them tick. Hosted by self-described “Agronomy Geek”, Lyndsey Smith.

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Agronomy Geeks

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