The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Christopher Magor (OAC '84 - BSAg, Animal & Poultry Science) who passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026.
Born in Darlington, England, he later made his home in Essex, where he became a familiar and friendly face in the community as the proud owner of Stationery and Stuff. Chris dedicated many years to the store before retiring in 2019.
A Life in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph
Professor Emeritus Thomas Francis Funk passed away on March 29, 2026. He served as a cornerstone of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE) at the University of Guelph for more than three decades, leaving a lasting legacy of academic excellence, professional leadership, and dedication to students.
The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Dr. Tom Funk, a respected educator and leader in agricultural marketing, who passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 82.
Funk dedicated more than 35 years to the University of Guelph, teaching agricultural marketing at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Known for his commitment to experiential learning, he helped bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, shaping the careers of students across the agri-food sector.
For more than a decade, Ontario farmers, policymakers, investors, and agricultural professionals have relied on the Ontario Farmland Value and Rental Value Survey for insights into farmland prices, rental rates, and market dynamics across the province. The lack of publicly available information on farmland rental rates was one of the primary drivers behind the first survey in 2016.
Dr. Kari Dunfield, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) has received $3,920,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alliance Advantage program. The governments of Canada and Ontario, as well as industry partners contributed an additional $1,960,000 in funding and $143,695 of in-kind support.
The University of Guelph has achieved a major milestone in the 2026 QS Subject Rankings, with its agriculture and forestry programs now ranked #1 in Canada (tied with UBC) and 14th in the world. This is the first time U of G has placed in the global top 15.
The University of Guelph Department of Food Science is hosting a hands-on Food Science Summer Camp from July 27 to 31, 2026, giving high school students a chance to explore the science behind the foods they love.
Congratulations to Professor Yu Na Lee
On behalf of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE), we are delighted to congratulate Professor Yu Na Lee on being awarded both the 2025 SSHRC Insight Grant (IG) and the Insight Development Grant (IDG). This exceptional achievement reflects Professor Lee’s scholarly excellence and the profound relevance and impact of her research.
A renewed $1.3 million investment from Egg Farmers of Canada (EFC) ensures poultry welfare research at the University of Guelph will continue to guide animal care standards and inform management decision.
Looking to brush up on your agri-food terminology? The Ontario Agricultural College has launched a new collaboration with UTENSIL, an online learning platform designed to support students prepare for careers in Canada’s agri-food sector.