News

Canada’s only master’s program in rural planning and development answering high demand for planners 

The University of Guelph has once again ranked sixth among Canada’s 15 comprehensive universities, a reflection of its academic excellence, robust research programming and campus community. The ranking, from Maclean’s 2026 evaluation of the country’s post-secondary institutions, is based on a five-metric system that includes students, faculty, resources, student support and reputation.

Dr. Mike Dixon, professor emeritus in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES), Ontario Agricultural College and director of the University’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, and colleagues Drs. Youbin Zheng and Thomas Graham, SES, have received the NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation.

Dr. Lawrence Goodridge knows firsthand the kind of progress that can be made when scientists and government work together. A man wearing a blue tie, white collared shirt and v-neck sweater stands smiling into the camera in front of some greenery. A professor in the Department of Food Science and the director of the Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety at the University of Guelph, Goodridge’s lab was part of the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance Initiative, a program developed to detect COVID-19 in community wastewater.

University of Guelph environmental scientist set to boost her internationally recognized research on soils and climate mitigation thanks to new gift from the Jarislowsky Foundation.

A University of Guelph partnership is turning ideas into solutions that aim to secure the world’s food supplies. Canadian entrepreneurs in agriculture and food can now connect with U of G’s expertise and innovation through a new partnership with the Creative Destruction Lab–Rockies (CDL-Rockies) AgriFood stream. U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) has been named an affiliate site of CDL-Rockies, which helps seed-stage science and technology startups commercialize their ideas. 

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Helmut Loewen, a proud member of the OAC Class of 1960 (Crop Science), who passed away peacefully after a short illness.

When Natalia Piedrahita began her studies at the University of Guelph’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE), she never imagined her research would one day shape conversations at the Africa Food Systems Forum. Today, as a gender economist working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, her work is influencing how governments, researchers, and organizations think about the future of food systems, particularly through the lens of women and youth.

Having robust and comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) is essential to protecting crops and supporting a strong, sustainable food system in Ontario. U of G Ridgetown Campus alumna Cara McCreary is at the forefront of protecting Ontario’s food supply and has dedicated her career to advancing pest control strategies in controlled environments.

It is with great sympathy that we share the passing of Arthur “Art” of Winthrop, OAC Class of 1955 on September 25, 2025. He was 94.

After graduating from OAC in 1955, Art worked as Assistant Ag Rep in Huron County, before returning full time to the McKillop family farm. Following in his father’s footsteps, he became a Select Seed Grower, growing, processing and selling Certified Seed to local farmers and as far away as PEI and Manitoba under the trade name R.T. Bolton and Son.