Emma Cross

Stacy's Bio

Stacy Murray is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and the agriculture industry. Currently the extension coordinator with Gateway Research Organization (GRO), a non-profit producer-led applied agriculture research association, she has spent her career sharing her knowledge and passion with youth and producers around the province. GRO does research and demonstration projects relating to crop production, soil, water, livestock and grazing. Stacy supports this work hands-on in the field, by organizing field days and workshops, sharing with school groups, and through various print and electronic means. 

Stacy grew up on a mixed farming operation and her family’s involvement in various agriculture organizations provided opportunities to travel much of Western Canada and learn about wide range of operations in the agriculture industry. She was raised with a belief in sustainable and regenerative concepts before they became terms applied to the agriculture industry. Stacy has a BSc in Agriculture and believes that cooperation between all involved in the agri-food value chain - producers, industry, processors and consumers - can lead to solutions that will benefit everyone economically, environmentally, and for health.

Gateway Research Organization

Charles's Bio

Charles Russell is the owner of Plains Pantry Pemmican, where he leads interactive workshops that bring the art of pemmican-making to life. Blending traditional Blackfoot teachings with modern science, Charles helps participants explore how this traditional Indigenous food continues to offer value in today’s world. His sessions create a bridge between traditional knowledge and contemporary understanding through storytelling, hands-on learning, and food.

Dr.'s Bio

Ed is an internationally-recognized expert on the behavior and welfare of a wide variety of species (Beef cattle, Dairy cattle, Swine, Poultry, and Lab Animals) as well as having expertise in animal welfare standards and legislation. Dr. Pajor has published over 140 scientific papers and consulted with numerous national and international companies.

An effective and enthusiastic teacher, Professor Pajor was named a University Peak Scholar, was awarded the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Great Supervisor award, and served on the AVMA’s Model Animal Welfare Curriculum Planning Group which was charged with developing an animal welfare-based curriculum for veterinary schools in North America. Ed is a graduate of the University of Waterloo with an Honors Co-op B.Sc. Degree in biology. In addition, he earned a MSc. and PhD. degree in biology from McGill University specializing in Animal Behaviour.

W.A. Ranches

Mike's Bio

As the Sr. Manager, Environmental Sustainability at Nutrien, Mike leads Nutrien’s global sustainability work on water, biodiversity, waste, and climate as priority sustainability topics and how they relate to sustainable agriculture. He also supports Nutrien’s climate strategy and looks for opportunities around system solutions between the nature-climate-food nexus with agri-food value chain partners.

Mike received his Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Environmental Science and his Master of Science with a concentration in Hydrology from the University of Lethbridge. He is registered as a Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.) and an Environmental Professional (EP), and currently serves as the Chair of the Water Committee for the Potato Sustainability Alliance in North America.

Nutrien