News

Last week, President Franco Vaccarino released a message of solidarity for our Black community members, acknowledging the ongoing injustices, hatred and violence committed against them. This message is an important reminder that the U of G community must make an ongoing commitment to combating acts of racism and discrimination. We must continue our work to improve our supports and inclusive practices for our students, faculty and staff.

Growing up on a small island in the Caribbean, E’layna Baker witnessed food import dependency and lack of local agricultural production. This made her decide to pursue studies in food, agricultural and resource economics at the University of Guelph. With the academic and professional experience she is obtaining in Guelph, E’layna hopes to influence agri-food policy in her home country in the future.

Prof. Helen Booker has been hired as an associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, assuming the Grain Farmers of Ontario Professorship in Wheat Breeding and Genetics position.

*** Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing a series of Q&As featuring OAC community members to showcase how people are coping with our uncertain - but collective - state. We’re hoping these will help connect and support our community (in a small way) during these isolating and challenging times. Look after yourself and those around you. ***

Paul Kelly is an OAC alumnus (BSc. Agr. 1983) and the research and apiary manager with U of G’s Honey Bee Research Centre. Although mostly working from his home in Fergus, Ontario, Paul has essential work to be done caring for the bees on campus. We recently chatted with him to see how he is doing and to learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting beekeeping across Canada.

Maddie McCandless is Ridgetown Campus’ Equine Facilities Coordinator. She graduated from the equine major of our Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree in 2013 and has been working in the equine industry since. She typically works from the REACH Huron location in Clinton, Ontario, managing Ridgetown’s teaching barn and horses, but recently transitioned to working from home. She chatted with us from her home in Minden, Ontario.

Brittney Livingston holds an associate diploma in agriculture and a bachelor of science in agriculture from OAC. She works in national advertising sales support for the Western Producer, owns and operates Calehill Farms in Orton Ontario with her husband Andrew and has three boys under the age of five (Travis, Emmet and Mason). So she’s keeping busy to say the least. We recently reached out to Brittany to see how her and her family are doing.

Matt Colley is a two time graduate from the Univeristy of Guelph (B.A GEOG and MSc Planning) and now works as a development planner with the Region of Waterloo. Like many of us Matt is now working from home, so we checked in with him to see how he's doing.

Emma Puckering is an OAC alumna (BSc. ABIO 2018) and current vet student at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Like all U of G students, Emma has been adjusting  to a new routine as classes shift to online, but she is happy to have her two dogs, Lady and Ireland, at home to help with study breaks! We recently connected with her to find out how she’s doing.

Brian Little (ADA ’67, B.Sc.Agr. ’72, M.Sc. ’78) retired 10 years ago from his role of National Manager, Agricultural and Agricultural Business with RBC. Brian had a 30-year career in agricultural banking and finance and an extensive volunteer resume. He’s dedicated countless hours to serve his alma mater, industry and community. We recently chatted with him on the phone to see how he is doing during these uncertain times. In his typical fashion, he also had some thoughtful advice to share.