The Ontario Agricultural College’s new Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture (MSAg) program launched this summer at the Ridgetown Campus, welcoming its first cohort of students from across the globe. They began their studies with a practical, hands-on semester in southwestern Ontario, engaging directly with the region’s dynamic agri-food sector.
The sheer volume of raw information can be overwhelming for researchers trying to pinpoint which traits will produce the most resilient, high-yielding crops. That’s where artificial intelligence steps in.
Dr. Biniam Kebede, a newly appointed professor in the Department of Food Science at the Ontario Agricultural College, leads the Food Bioprocessing and Data Science Lab, where ancient fermentation meets cutting-edge digital innovation.
OAC alumni from the 1970s won the OAC Alumni Decade Challenge, a friendly competition pitting decades of graduates against one another. Held as part of OAC’s 150th anniversary celebrations, the challenge highlighted both OAC pride and the enduring tradition of giving back that has shaped the College since its earliest days.
At the heart of the friendly competition was a shared commitment: supporting students — today and tomorrow — as they learn, lead and make an impact in agriculture, food, communities and the environment.
The University of Guelph deepened its role as a leader in Indigenous environmental science and knowledge last week, welcoming Indigenous youth from several First Nations to campus for an immersive week of land-based learning, knowledge exchange, and environmental science exploration.
For more than three decades, retired OAC professors Tom and Jane Funk played an instrumental role in shaping the future of agricultural business education at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). As dedicated educators, mentors, and innovators, their careers were defined by a shared passion for student success and a tireless commitment to bridging the gap between learning and real-world applications.
Now, with a generous gift of $50,000, Tom and Jane are continuing their legacy by establishing the Tom & Jane Funk Agri-Marketing Bursary to support OAC students in the Bachelor of Commerce (Food and Agricultural Business) program, awarded based on financial need.
This position is intended for a current University of Guelph student. Reporting to the OAC Liaison Manager, the student will be responsible for assisting with event and program management, student recruitment, and overall program promotion. They will assist in carrying out outreach strategies for prospective students, elementary and secondary school personnel, and the general public.
Canadian Canoe Museum earns international spotlight thanks to alumni from U of G’s landscape architecture program
Vedika Nair came to Canada from Kenya with a passion for environmental protection and a goal of making a global impact. Now studying in the Bachelor of Environmental Science, majoring in Environmental Science at OAC, she’s putting that passion into action through a co-op position with the Treasury Board of Canada in Ottawa, where she’s helping shape sustainable government purchasing policies. Her journey—from Kenya’s natural beauty to Canada’s capital—has been shaped by U of G’s supportive faculty, welcoming student community, and a program that blends science, policy, and hands-on experience.
Dr. Peter Sikkema, a renowned weed scientist and long-time researcher and educator at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus, has been named one of six 2025 inductees into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame.