OMAFA looks to bolster field crop team

"According to the job posting, the successful candidate will serve as the lead provincial specialist for edible beans and edible oilseeds, including Identity Preserved (IP) soybeans, spring and winter canola, flaxseed, and sunflower. The role centres on technology transfer - developing and implementing strategies, policies, and programs - while coordinating projects that assess new and existing practices for their suitability under Ontario conditions. The specialist will also prepare and deliver educational tools, act as a liaison between the research community and industry, support policy and program development, and manage high-priority or contentious issues in the sector."

"A second search is underway for a bilingual integrated pest management specialist to be located at Kemptville, Ont. This position focuses on field crop-specific integrated pest management (IPM), working with a team to evaluate research and production practices from around the world and adapt findings to Ontario's needs. A major component of the role includes facilitating industry change through education and outreach - including publications, media releases, social media, speaking engagements, and one-on-one engagement with producers and stakeholders - while providing evidence-based options and recommendations in response to emerging issues."

Ontario's field crop sector faces new pests, shifting disease pressure, changing markets, and a continuing need to translate research into practical on-farm decisions. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) is recruiting two full-time permanent provincial specialists to bolster the Field Crops Unit. One role is an edible bean and oilseed specialist based at Harrow, Ridgetown, or Stratford, responsible for IP soybeans, canola, flaxseed, and sunflower, with emphasis on technology transfer, project coordination, education, research-industry liaison, policy support, and issue management. The second role is a bilingual integrated pest management specialist in Kemptville focused on field-crop IPM, adapting global research to Ontario and leading education and outreach while providing evidence-based recommendations for emerging issues.

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