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Our speakers Friday Jan. 23, 2026
Dr. Stuart Smyth
Dr. Stuart Smyth U. of S. - The Food Price Report
Dr. Stuart Smyth is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. His research focuses on sustainability, agriculture, innovation and food. Dr. Smyth publishes twice weekly blogs on these topics at: www.SAIFood.ca. With over 160 academic publications, Dr. Smyth is recognized as a leading expert on barriers to innovation and regulatory efficiency. Dr. Smyth specializes in research on regulatory barriers to food security, especially those that restrict investments into new plant breeding technologies, such as genome editing and that delay, or prevent, the commercialization of genetically modified and genome-edited crops. Since 2019, he has been leading a large research project that quantifies the sustainability changes of Prairie crop production.
Dr. Stuart Smyth is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada. His research focuses on sustainability, agriculture, innovation and food. Dr. Smyth publishes twice weekly blogs on these topics at: www.SAIFood.ca. With over 160 academic publications, Dr. Smyth is recognized as a leading expert on barriers to innovation and regulatory efficiency. Dr. Smyth specializes in research on regulatory barriers to food security, especially those that restrict investments into new plant breeding technologies, such as genome editing and that delay, or prevent, the commercialization of genetically modified and genome-edited crops. Since 2019, he has been leading a large research project that quantifies the sustainability changes of Prairie crop production.
Todd Olson
Todd Olson with Mustard 21 Canada Inc – Using mustard for biofumigation and cover crop markets
Todd is the sales manager with Mustard 21 Canada Inc. Todd joined M21 just over a year ago, after retiring from a long career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon. Todd has over 20 years of experience with AAFC, working in research with the canola and mustard breeding programs. Todd also spent over 10 years of his career at AAFC working with AAFC’s Office of Intellectual Property on the commercialization and intellectual property management of AAFC’s research results. Todd’s experience at AAFC working with the mustard industry for over 30 years made for an easy transition to his current role with M21.
Todd is the sales manager with Mustard 21 Canada Inc. Todd joined M21 just over a year ago, after retiring from a long career with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon. Todd has over 20 years of experience with AAFC, working in research with the canola and mustard breeding programs. Todd also spent over 10 years of his career at AAFC working with AAFC’s Office of Intellectual Property on the commercialization and intellectual property management of AAFC’s research results. Todd’s experience at AAFC working with the mustard industry for over 30 years made for an easy transition to his current role with M21.
Cory Confrey
Cory Confrey from Early's Yard and Garden - Learn about H-Start Compost
Corey is one of Early’s Greenhouse & Gardening experts. He has been working with Early's for 27 years and brings an in-depth knowledge of growing in Saskatchewan. He has been helping all growers, from small space gardens, to large scale market garden & greenhouse producers
Corey is one of Early’s Greenhouse & Gardening experts. He has been working with Early's for 27 years and brings an in-depth knowledge of growing in Saskatchewan. He has been helping all growers, from small space gardens, to large scale market garden & greenhouse producers
Dr. Tyler Wist
Dr. Tyler Wist AAFC Saskatoon – Insects Pests like spotted wing drosophila, tarnish plant bugs, Lygus, and Bertha Army Worms
Dr. Tyler Wist is a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon. Although he specializes in wheat insect pests like wheat midge and cereal aphids, he also work on new pests in smaller acreage crops, the worst insect pest in canola, flea beetles, the insect vectored pathogen aster yellows and pea aphids in pulse crops. Ask him about beneficial insects destroying crop pests!
Dr. Tyler Wist is a field crop entomologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Saskatoon. Although he specializes in wheat insect pests like wheat midge and cereal aphids, he also work on new pests in smaller acreage crops, the worst insect pest in canola, flea beetles, the insect vectored pathogen aster yellows and pea aphids in pulse crops. Ask him about beneficial insects destroying crop pests!
Connie Achtymichuk PAg
Connie Achtymichuk PAg (provincial Vegetable Specialist) – Saskatchewan Research Update
Connie was raised in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
She obtained her BSA in Horticulture from the U of S and began her career as a research technician at the U of S vegetable program working mainly on potato and onion agronomy trials.
She moved to Manitoba for a few years to manage an early generation seed potato farm before moving back to Saskatchewan to be part of a more dynamic, developing potato industry.
During the summer of 2005, Connie joined Saskatchewan Agriculture as the Provincial Vegetable Specialist where she works with the province’s seed potato and vegetable producers to develop a thriving industry.
Connie lives in Outlook with her husband Ken.
Connie was raised in Kamsack, Saskatchewan.
She obtained her BSA in Horticulture from the U of S and began her career as a research technician at the U of S vegetable program working mainly on potato and onion agronomy trials.
She moved to Manitoba for a few years to manage an early generation seed potato farm before moving back to Saskatchewan to be part of a more dynamic, developing potato industry.
During the summer of 2005, Connie joined Saskatchewan Agriculture as the Provincial Vegetable Specialist where she works with the province’s seed potato and vegetable producers to develop a thriving industry.
Connie lives in Outlook with her husband Ken.
Forest Scharf PAg
Forest Scharf PAg (provincial Fruit Specialist) – Saskatchewan Research Update
Forrest Scharf PAg is the Provincial Specialist for Fruit Crops within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch. In his role, Forrest is active in conducting research, helping growers in crop management, providing input for policy development, technical evaluation, surveillance, participation on national working groups, et cetera. He is a Professional Agrologist and serves on the Professionalism and Ethics Committee within the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.
He also serves as Secretary for the International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB).
He abides on an acreage Northwest of Regina along the Qu’Appelle Valley overlooking the Valeport Bird Sanctuary and Last Mountain Lake.
Forrest Scharf PAg is the Provincial Specialist for Fruit Crops within the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Crops and Irrigation Branch. In his role, Forrest is active in conducting research, helping growers in crop management, providing input for policy development, technical evaluation, surveillance, participation on national working groups, et cetera. He is a Professional Agrologist and serves on the Professionalism and Ethics Committee within the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists.
He also serves as Secretary for the International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB).
He abides on an acreage Northwest of Regina along the Qu’Appelle Valley overlooking the Valeport Bird Sanctuary and Last Mountain Lake.
Dr. Anze Svara
Dr. Anze Svara U. of S. Fruit - Research Update
Anže Švara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. He holds a Ph.D. from KU Leuven in Belgium, and a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of Ljubljana. He completed his postdoctoral training and research at Cornell University in New York. Currently, Anže leads the USask Fruit Program, a research and breeding program focused on improving horticultural crops for the Northern Prairies. His work aims to uncover the genetic basis of key traits to enhance crop quality, boost production efficiency, and promote sustainability while aligning with consumer demands. His research spans both wild relatives and modern cultivars of crops such as haskap, saskatoons, apples, and hazelnuts. By developing new fruit varieties, Anže and the USask Fruit Program team are contributing to the advancement of the global fruit industry.
Anže Švara is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. He holds a Ph.D. from KU Leuven in Belgium, and a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of Ljubljana. He completed his postdoctoral training and research at Cornell University in New York. Currently, Anže leads the USask Fruit Program, a research and breeding program focused on improving horticultural crops for the Northern Prairies. His work aims to uncover the genetic basis of key traits to enhance crop quality, boost production efficiency, and promote sustainability while aligning with consumer demands. His research spans both wild relatives and modern cultivars of crops such as haskap, saskatoons, apples, and hazelnuts. By developing new fruit varieties, Anže and the USask Fruit Program team are contributing to the advancement of the global fruit industry.
Laura Carruthers
Laura Carruthers U. of S. PhD candidate - Sustainable strategies to improve nitrogen cycling in horticultural crops.
Laura Carruthers is a PhD candidate in the Plant Sciences department at the University of Saskatchewan. Her work is focussed on improving nutrient cycling and reducing environmental nitrogen loss in high value cropping systems. Laura’s upbringing on a farm near Lloydminster, SK, is what makes her passionate about conducting research that is highly relevant to producers
Laura Carruthers is a PhD candidate in the Plant Sciences department at the University of Saskatchewan. Her work is focussed on improving nutrient cycling and reducing environmental nitrogen loss in high value cropping systems. Laura’s upbringing on a farm near Lloydminster, SK, is what makes her passionate about conducting research that is highly relevant to producers
