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New Director for Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada
Dr. Andy Hammermeister has been appointed Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC). Dr. Hammermeister has worked with OACC since 2002, most recently as manager of the Centre and the Canadian Organic Science Cluster research program.
“We at NSAC are very proud to be the physical home of OACC, while recognizing that its’ most important capacity is as a knowledge, research and education network across the country for organic agriculture,” said NSAC Co-President Dr. Leslie MacLaren. “It is a wonderful example of cooperative partnership and collaboration for the benefit of the sector.”
Dr. Hammermeister grew up on a mixed beef and grain farm in southeast Saskatchewan. He has a Bachelors degree in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, a Masters degree in Land Reclamation and a PhD in Applied Ecology from the University of Alberta. He came to NSAC as a research associate in 2002 and took on the role of Soil and Crops Professor in late 2007. He conducts research on crop rotations, soil amendments, pesticide risk reduction in soybean and more. Dr. Hammermeister is currently working toward identifying and addressing organic research priorities across Canada, linking the needs of producers with researchers and funding agencies.
“The past ten years have been a very interesting time for the growth and development of Canada’s organic sector,” said Dr. Andy Hammermeister. “I’m very excited to be part of it and look forward to leading OACC in ongoing collaboration with industry, university and AAFC partners. The spirit of collaboration is unprecedented and we will see significant advances in organic science in the coming years.”
Founding Director, Dr. Ralph Martin, announced his pending retirement from NSAC after ten years of leading OACC and 20 years as an NSAC faculty member.
As the only institution of its kind in Canada, the OACC plays a leading role in organic research and education and is located on the campus of Nova Scotia Agricultural College.
NSAC is a specialized university that cultivates learning and research, focusing on improving and sustaining our environment for the health and well-being of society.
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