Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture 2026 Virtual Conference

March 3-5, 2026

Farming Beyond Net Zero: Seeking Whole Farm Sustainability
Co-hosted by the University of Manitoba's National Centre for Livestock and the Environment and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Photo credit: Roland Kroebel

A river runs through the foothills

About

This 3-day virtual conference brings together researchers, students, producers, government, commodity organizations and industry representatives with a range of perspectives to collectively share ideas and experiences about how to improve agricultural sustainability in Canada. Sessions will feature brief presentations followed by facilitated panel discussions. The conference will include a hands-on interactive workshop on the Holos model designed to estimate on farm greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a research update featuring graduate students who will share their findings through short videos.

The conference will offer Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units (CCA CEUs).

Conference Planning Committee

University of Manitoba:Kim Ominski, Doug Cattani, Marcos Cordeiro, David Lobb, Joanne Thiessen Martens, Anna Rogiewicz, Kyle Bobiwash, Crystal Jorgenson and Peter Frohlich
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:Roland Kroebel, Sarah Pogue, Aaron McPherson and Emma Stephens
Industry/Farm Production:Melissa Atchison, Kristine Tapley

Conference Hosts

Holos logoAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada

 

 

 

 

Schedule at a Glance

DayTheme
March 3Theme 1: Perspectives, sustainability and secure food systems
March 4Theme 2: Redefining sustainability beyond greenhouse gas emissions
March 5Theme 3: New models for research and industry engagement

Day 1 - March 3, 2026 (pm)

1:00-1:10 pm (CST)Welcoming Remarks
Kim Ominski (University of Manitoba) and Roland Kroebel (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Co-chairs
Greeting from Nazim Cicek, Dean (Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences, University of Manitoba)
1:10-2:15 pm (CST)Keynotes:
Koen Deconinck (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
Tyler McCann (Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute)
2:15-2:30 pm (CST)Break
2:30-3:30 pm (CST)

Theme 1: Perspectives, sustainability and secure food systems

  • Vanessa Hines (Fox Lake Cree Nation)
  • Monica James (Farm Credit Canada)
  • Cheryl Melnyk  (Gambler First Nation Health Centre)

 

3:30-4:15 pm (CST)Panel discussion
4:15 pm (CST)Adjourn

Day 2 - March 4, 2026 (am/pm)

9:00-12:00 am (CST)Holos - Holos model workshop and a preview to the next version of Holos
12:00-1:00 pm (CST)

Ted Poyser Lecture in Soil Health Presenter-Awardee:

  • Joann Whalen, James McGill Professor research chair at McGill University and Affiliate Professor at the Center for Sustainable Soil Sciences of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco
1:30-2:00 pm (CST)Student videos session 1
2:00-3:00 pm (CST)

Theme 2: Redefining sustainability beyond greenhouse gas emissions

  • Sarah Pogue (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
  • Meagan King (University of Manitoba)
  • Lisa Ashton (RBC Royal Bank)
3:00-3:15 pm (CST)Break
3:15-4:00 pm (CST)Panel discussion
4:00-4:30 pm (CST)Student videos session 2
4:30 pm (CST)Adjourn

Day 3 - March 5, 2026 (pm)

12:30-1:00 pm (CST)Student videos session 3
1:00-1:30 pm (CST)Student videos session 4
1:30-2:00 pm (CST)Student videos session 5
2:00-3:00 pm (CST)

Theme 3: New models for research and industry engagement

  • Michelle Carkner (University of Manitoba)
  • Melissa Arcand (University of Saskatchewan)
  • Alain and Nicolas Philippot (Producers)
3:00-3:15 pm (CST)Break
3:15-4:00 pm (CST)Panel discussion
4:00-4:15 pm (CST)Wrap up and concluding remarks
Kim Ominski (University of Manitoba) and Roland Kroebel (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Co-chairs