RBC Scholars in Sustainable Agriculture

Preparing the Next Generation of Sustainable Food Producers

4 people study plants in a field

Students are invited to apply to be considered for the RBC Scholars in Sustainable Agriculture program. Undergraduate and graduate students will work with Faculty researchers on low-emission agriculture and food systems research.

  • 3 people work with a cow and calves in a barn

  • Undergraduate students will be supervised by a Faculty member for a period of 4 months and receive hands-on training at the Glenlea Research Station by technicians and station staff. Graduate students will design, executive and report on innovative solutions in the three building block areas (fertilizer use and nutrient stewardship; regenerative and natural systems agriculture; and livestock feed additives and selective breeding). 

    All will receive training in our state-of-the-art livestock and cropping facilities and engage extensively with producers and commodity groups.

    Jump to application process

Meet the 2024 scholars

  • Kingsford Amoah

    Kingsford Amoah

    Master of Science in Soil Science
    Ghana

    In my previous role as a Research Assistant in the Department of Soil Science, University of Ghana, I worked on projects that focused on climate change impact on food systems in Ghana. We addressed the impacts through the lens of sustainable resource development, and I saw how that developed into strategies that were workable and acceptable by the farmers and other stakeholders. I am excited to be an RBC Scholar with the focus on sustainable agriculture as this provides me with the opportunity to advance my understanding of agricultural practices to promote resilient and sustainable food production systems and a healthy environment.

    I will set up my research, which will focus on how soil freezing and thawing processes impact the interaction between soil structure and nutrient management in Manitoba. I will share my preliminary results with key stakeholders as well as present at local and national scientific meetings. In addition to my research, I will complete my coursework, which is relevant to deepening my understanding of concepts and principles that are critical to successfully executing my research.

  • Julia Beechinor

    Julia Beechinor

    Bachelor of Science in Agroecology, minor in soil science
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    I've always been interested in researching sustainability in agriculture, and Dr. Entz encouraged me to apply, as he thought my values as a student and agroecologist aligned with the intent of the RBC program. When I think of sustainability in agriculture, I think of adapting our agronomic systems to have resilience and respond to the conditions that threaten our agricultural industry. Sustainability means evolution in response to the changes we are seeing, and improving our systems to take into account the ecology that impacts them so that we can continue to provide not only food and feed, but ecological services like carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

    I will be conducting multiple greenhouse gas experiments, comparing the nitrous oxide emissions from oat crops in organic and conventional systems, as well as nitrous oxide emissions from different green manure cover crops during the termination phase. Secondly, I will be conversing and visiting with producers across the province, to document what kind of beneficial practices they are using to promote the long term sustainability on their farms. I will form a collective of information, in which I can present as a first person article that educates other researchers, agronomists and producers on the diverse way sustainability can be applied on farms.

  • Ramanpreet Brar

    Ramanpreet Brar

    Master of Science in Plant Science
    Punjab, India

    Through this RBC-sponsored initiative, I will get the chance to expand my knowledge of sustainability-related agriculture research and encourage other academics and students to pursue similar endeavours. In my view, sustainability in agriculture refers to preserving natural resources, using agricultural inputs efficiently to lessen their negative effects on the environment, reducing the negative impacts of climate change, and ensuring sustainable food production.

    My research project will evaluate the agronomic potential of integrating cover crops in an annual crop rotation. This project aims to assess the growth and establishment of cover crops, and their impact on soil properties, cash crop yield, and quality.

  • Madeleine Dupuis photo RBC scholar

    Madeleine Dupuis

    MSc. Entomology
    Winnipeg, MB

    I was drawn to this program because it is the only Department of Entomology in Canada and I am lucky enough for it to be in my hometown. Agricultural sustainability means approaching farming in a way that not only maintains, but improves the land, produces enough food, and is profitable enough to support the producers.

    I will be surveying laying hen barns of differing production methods and assessing the differences in pest and parasite assemblage with a special interest in poultry red mite. The goal of this is to develop early detection methods that are effective across housing types and to lay to foundation for developing a holistic IPM program.

  • Kenzie Friesen

    Kenzie Friesen

    Bachelor of Science in Agroecology
    Arnaud, Manitoba

    In the summer of 2023, I worked as a summer student for Dr. Yvonne Lawley and helped her with her experiments and her master's students. After that experience, I thought that it would be super fun to have a project of my own. Sustainable agriculture, to me, means keeping future generations and the environment in mind when developing agricultural practices. Organizing ourselves in a way that ensures there is a promising future for everyone and agriculture.

    In my program, I am evaluating the impact of two different nurse crops, fall rye and oats, on flea beetle damage of canola. Specifically, I will be looking at the effect the nurse crops have on soil moisture, and if it is a factor in limiting canola growth.

  • Ashley Henderson

    Ashley Henderson

    Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Animal Systems)
    Manitou, Manitoba

    When initially introduced to this program, I knew it was not an opportunity that I could pass up. It allows me not only to have hands-on experience within the research side of the industry, but also creates personal connections and a space to further explore my passions within animal science. Sustainability to me means not only the continued preservation of our ecosystems, while embracing new technologies/practices to enhance continued productivity, it also means the preservation of the cherished rural way of life.

    I will be working under the supervision of Dr Anna Rogiewicz and her phenomenal research team. Taking prebiotic products derived from under-utilized feed ingredients and by-products from various agricultural and food industries - specifically SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). By incorporating it into poultry nutrition, we then can further assess its effects on poultry gut microbiome, health, and overall nutrient utilization, thus exploring the product's feed component capability and sustainable potential.

    I would like to say that I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has made it possible.

  • Adam Kozuska

    Adam Kozuska

    Bachelor of Science in Agroecology
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    I'm interested in the intersection of and interaction between environment, food, and social systems. Sustainable agriculture to me means working with the land to create systems that improve ecosystems while providing for humanities needs.

    This summer I am working on best managements practices for establishing pollinator habitats on farms. I am also developing a survey to better understand the current landscape of pollinator habitats in the prairies.

  • Fatemeh Mohammadian

    Fatemeh Mohammadian

    Master of Science in Animal Science
    Iran

    Growing up with pets during my childhood instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards animals, which led me to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and my scholastic career deepened my understanding of animal production and welfare. Considering how important livestock production is to the health of society, my main goal for continuing graduate studies is to contribute to the sustainability of livestock production.

    I'm working on post-weaning diarrhea in piglets and my project will centre on enhancing the health and productivity of pigs. The primary objective is to develop innovative strategies for managing infectious diseases on swine farms.

    I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Hooman Derakhshani for his valuable guidance and support as my graduate supervisor.

  • Vanessa Siemens photo RBC scholar

    Vanessa Jordan Siemens

    Master of Science
    Langley, B.C

    What drew me to this program was the chance to pursue my goals. Which centers around my passion for bridging the gap between natural systems and human use of natural resources. I believe in a future where production does not come at a cost to the environment. Sustainable agriculture means human activity that produces what we need for society and benefits the ecological systems that we rely upon.

    The future of agriculture and biodiversity on landscapes are highly fused together. In sustainable agriculture, the watershed comes first, feeding the soil microbiome is second nature, and production of crops and livestock blur the lines of where field meets forest. My research will focus on integrating indigenous ways of knowing and working with the land and its natural cycles. By doing so, this will mitigate negative impacts of climate change, such as flood/drought cycles.

  • Roman Song

    Roman Song

    Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Plant Biotechnology)
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    I was drawn to this program by my interest in agriculture, which is a major part of Manitoba's economy. Sustainability to me means pursuing agriculture in a way that allows us to continue farming far into the future without damaging the fields and lands we rely on for it.

    This summer I will be working at the department of soil science on a project assessing the impact of certain manure additives on greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Toby Szkop

    Toby Szkop

    Master of Science in Biosystems Engineering
    Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lived my whole life in Winnipeg

    What drew me to this program was the opportunity to pursue my interest in water conservation and soil science while being able to work at the Glenlea plots to collect data. Sustainable agriculture to me looks at discovering methods to conserve water and promote optimal plant health in the crop fields. Sustainability in agriculture also looks at creating models of fields in order to find better sustainable farming practices.

    Over the summer I plan to install data collection systems in multiple locations of the Glenlea crop fields. The sensors will collect soil moisture and temperature data. Using this information, a 3D model using Hydrus will be created to accurately represent the soil conditions at the crop field in Glenlea. The model will allow for future recommendations to be given to optimize crop yield at Glenlea.

    The RBC Scholars program is an amazing chance to pursue further sustainability education while getting to work on a hands-on project with professionals in your field.

  • Tsiamidy Onjatina Tolojanahary photo RBC scholar

    Tsiamidy Onjatina Tolojanahary

    PhD in Animal Science
    Madagascar

    Through my academic and professional experience, I have come to understand that sustainable practices, whether in crop or livestock production, must balance efficiency with environmental and social responsibility. To me, sustainability involves creating strategies that minimize environmental impact while ensuring long term productivity and protecting the well-being of both animals and consumers. As this program emphasizes sustainable agriculture, I wish to contribute through my research, which focuses on finding alternatives to antimicrobials to enhance animal health and promote more resilient agricultural systems.

    In addition to my doctoral courses and seminar, I am working on my research proposal, which focuses on exploring the feasibility of using bacteriophages as an alternative to antibiotics for controlling post-weaning diarrhea in pigs. I am trying to get hands-on experience with the various protocols used in my lab.

  • Briee Villeneuve-Armstrong

    Briee Villeneuve-Armstrong

    Bachelor of Environmental Science
    St. Norbert, Manitoba

    I was drawn to this sustainable agriculture program due to my passion for addressing climate change and my deep-rooted connection to the land, stemming from my upbringing in a rural area and a keen interest in National Geographic entertainment. To me, sustainability in agriculture means implementing practices that ensure the long-term health of our ecosystems while also meeting the needs of present and future generations. It involves finding innovative ways to mitigate environmental degradation, promote biodiversity, and enhance soil health.

    This summer, I'll be exploring and harnessing soil samples from the Glenlea long-term manured NCLE plots. My focus will be on analyzing their carbon sequestration potential and conducting comparisons among various manure treatments.

  • James Watson

    James Watson

    Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biological Sciences with a minor in Entomology
    Winnipeg, Manitoba

    I am passionate about pollinators and the services they provide to our food systems, as well as their ecological roles within Manitoba's landscapes, both agricultural and non-agricultural, so I was immediately drawn to this program for the opportunity to contribute to research on the interactions between bees in both of these systems. To me, sustainability in agriculture requires us to understand the impacts of agricultural operations on non-agricultural ecosystems so that these operations can be appropriately managed to mitigate harmful impacts to the environment, and ideally so that agricultural and non-agricultural ecosystems can complement and support each other into perpetuity. The pollination services provided by bees are integral to both our food systems and natural environments, and I believe it is important to have knowledge on how monoculturally farmed honey bees are impacting the health of our native bees in order to effectively sustain their diversity and preserve the ecosystem services they provide outside of pollinating crop plants.

    This summer I am working with Dr. Kyle Bobiwash and graduate student Kira Peters on a project examining the transmission of viruses from and between native bees and honey bees on canola fields. We are looking at the impact of agricultural landscape and honey bee density on virus levels.

Application process

Eligibility:

Students within or interested in studies within the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences are eligible. They must have an interest in sustainable agriculture and applying it within agricultural communities.

Funding:

Undergraduate students would receive a salary of approximately $20/hour depending on year in program over the four-month summer employment.

Graduate students would receive a stipend of $25,000/year for up to two years.

Application process:

Submissions must include:

  1. Application Form including 500 word statement describing why they wish to become an RBC Scholar in Sustainable Agriculture, what they would bring to the role, and what they hope to achieve.
  2. CV/Resume 
  3. Academic Transcript
  4. Letter from (potential) supervisor that briefly describes the research to be undertaken and how it relates to sustainable agriculture (2 page maximum). The letter must also give applicant permission, if selected, to dedicate time to additional knowledge translation activities pertaining to the program.

Application package to be submitted to agresearch@umanitoba.ca by noon, October 31, 2024.

Expectations:

Once selected, candidates will create a summary work plan (one-page maximum) at the start of their employment, and will participate in at least two knowledge transfer activities annually, including sessions featuring RBC Scholars (e.g. farm/field days, Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference, development of extension resources) infographics, podcasts, videos, presentations, social media content. At the end of their work term, they will submit a final summary report on research and knowledge transfer.

Important dates:

  • Applications due October 31, 2024
  • Selections by November 29, 2024
  • Term starts: Undergraduate students May 1  |  Graduate students May 1 or September 1
  • Final summary report due December 31