Appointment to Strengthen Agri-Food Research, Policy
October 01, 2008 - News Release
An assistant deputy minister at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) will be joining the University of Guelph on secondment to participate in a new developmental initiative.
Dave Hope, who heads OMAFRA's Regulated Marketing Division, will be a senior fellow of agricultural policy in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics. He will assume a variety of duties designed to further enhance the relationship between agricultural economics research and policy initiatives for agriculture and rural initiatives in Ontario.
Robert Gordon, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College, said the appointment will benefit Ontario’s agri-food sector and strengthen ties between the University and OMAFRA, longtime partners in the delivery of agricultural research, outreach and education.
“Dave is uniquely qualified to enhance the already excellent relationship between OMAFRA and OAC,” Gordon said. “We are extremely excited to have him join OAC in positioning our province as a world leader in agri-food development and innovation.”
Hope joined OMAFRA in 1989 and has served as assistant deputy minister, Regulated Marketing Division, since 2004. He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in agricultural economics from U of G.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338/l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982/d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
