Nutrien is championing students and soil science research across Canada

Soil scientists and graduate students across Canada are gearing up to exchange ideas and research results at this year’s Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS) conference, of which Nutrien is a top-tier sponsor.

“I’m looking forward to learning from both senior scientists and graduate students at this annual summit,” says Lyle Cowell, Nutrien Senior Agronomist. “It is important that Nutrien commits to field research with our nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and sulfur fertilizers in Canada, as well as supports the efforts of the research community to share data. Soil fertility and efficient agronomic management for long-term sustainability lie within good research and extension.”

Accompanying Lyle will be Stacie Yaremko and Amanda Mitchell, two graduate students who Nutrien is sponsoring to attend.

Stacie is nearing completion of her Master of Science at the University of Alberta, with a focus on sulfur nutrition of forage crops, and she works as an Agronomic Innovation Manager with Nutrien Ag Solutions in the Peace Region of Alberta.

“Although I love almost everything about living and working in the Peace Region, it is somewhat geographically isolated, which can make it challenging to network and travel to conferences,” says Stacie. “I’m very appreciative of Nutrien’s support in attending the CSSS conference, as I’ve heard wonderful things about past conferences and the agenda for this year looks fantastic. I’m looking forward to making new connections and bringing new learnings back to my colleagues and our grower customers.”

Amanda is also close to achieving her Master of Science at the University of Saskatchewan, with a focus on soil carbon dynamics of prairie soils, and she was the recipient of the Best Oral Presentation award, sponsored by Nutrien, at the 2024 Soils and Crops Workshop in Saskatoon. Her award-winning talk discussed various soil properties driving organic carbon persistence in surface and buried surface horizons across different Saskatchewan cropland soil zones and textures.

“I was very grateful to receive the first-place prize for the oral competition at the Soils and Crops conference this year,” says Amanda.

“The soil science research community in Canada is a small, but mighty and tight-knit group. Being able to attend the past two meetings has given me the opportunity to make invaluable connections with other grad students, researchers and even my future PhD supervisor. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about the amazing research that’s happening and continue to expand my knowledge of agriculture and soil science across Canada.”

Nutrien is proud to support Canadian ag students and young professionals like Stacie and Amanda in their early career development. We’re also committed to supporting Canadian farmers by delivering high quality, sustainable, efficient and innovative solutions in our operations, as well as supporting broader Canadian soil and ag research.

“Their success is the future of farming and the fertilizer business in Canada,” says Duncan Pottinger, Senior Director, Ag Canada Sales. “Nutrien endeavors to provide continued support and training to Canadian retail and growers in their efforts to deliver sustainable 4R solutions.”