33 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FEBRUARY 2024 working with Dr. Hugh Earl on a soybean micronutrient deficiency trial. “Providing farmers with the knowledge of clear plant symptomology would allow better diagnostics and more efficient fertilizer applications, especially when using a variable rate applicator,” says Wittemore. “Real world applications that actually reach farmers and have a beneficial impact is the work I strive to accomplish throughout my career.” NEXT APPLICATION INTAKE The Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship will open for applications in the summer of 2024.• “I hope that my career will inevitably involve continuing to support farmers on a policy level, where I will use my juris doctor to become an advocate sector-wide,” says Miller. “The success of Canada is best supported by continued policy craft that focuses on our invaluable agricultural economy and food systems.” Scott Moore is studying plant breeding in genetics in pursuit of an M.Sc. degree at the University of Guelph. Working with Dr. Istvan Rajcan, Moore is investigating soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance genetics. “My research in soybean breeding and genetics will benefit the Ontario grain sector by improving resistance to SCN, which is single-handedly the most destructive pest in Ontario soybean production,” says Moore. “Given that soybeans are the highest-acreage crop in Ontario, and other management practices are of limited effectiveness, it is of great importance to identify new genetic SCN resistance to maintain the integrity of Ontario soybean production.” Julianna Tindall is a University of Guelph student pursuing a B.Sc. in agriculture, majoring in crop science. Tindall is currently working on a wheat research project with Dr. Helen Booker. She plans to pursue a master’s degree following graduation. Tindall’s future goal is to become a plant breeder. “As a plant breeder, I will have the opportunity to work on projects which will improve the quality of products for farmers across Canada,” she says. Lauraine Vandermyden says that a passion for food security and a keen interest in protecting the environment led her to pursue a B.Sc. in agriculture from the University of Guelph; she is now pursuing an M.Sc. in environmental science. Her research focuses on the impacts of nitrogen management and cover crop practices on greenhouse gas emissions in winter wheat production. “Through research like mine, we can develop improved recommendations for management practices that producers can use to benefit their productivity and reduce emissions,” says Vandermyden. Matthew Wittemore is a crop science major pursuing a B.Sc. in agriculture from the University of Guelph, with plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science after graduation. Wittemore is currently The Legacy Scholarship program received 140 applications in its second year, a 40 per cent increase from its inaugural year in 2022. Nine students received a $5,000 scholarship to support their postsecondary education. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
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