Politicians and scientists gather at the U of L's Science Commons building. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

U of L hires three researchers specializing in agricultural studies

Oct 15, 2020 | 1:05 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Three researchers formerly part of the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and now working for the University of Lethbridge.

The Government of Alberta announced $1.8-million in funding over three years to hire the trio and allow them to carry out their projects.

They include:

• Shelley Hoover – apiculture and pollination, focusing on honey bee biology
• Michele Konschuh – irrigated crops, focusing on efficiency in irrigation systems
• Kim Stanford – livestock pathogens, focusing on food-borne pathogens affecting cattle

“It’s something that the industry, it relies on cutting-edge research,” says Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen. “Having these researchers housed in Lethbridge at the university is so important because it can leverage the work that the university already does and it can grow and do more.”

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U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon says the institution has a heavy focus on working with the community and the industry to address specific needs they have.

He believes the work that these three will do will have wide-spread positive implications far beyond the agricultural sector in just Southern Alberta.

Dreeshen spoke in the U of L’s Science Commons building about the importance of these projects for the region.

“There’s more cattle in the province of Alberta than there are people. All these industries are so important to Alberta’s economy and it needs research, farmers and ranchers need research that helps them to compete on a global stage, so having this kind of research here is so important to the agricultural industry.”

While he is a graduate of Lethbridge College and joked about wearing his Lethbridge College socks to the announcement, Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf praised the university for its cutting-edge research programs.

“The University of Lethbridge is already a centre for agricultural research in Alberta. The opportunity to add specialized research programs to the already robust curriculum will allow students and faculty the opportunity for better, more focused research. Funding into agriculture research will allow Lethbridge to continue as a hub for the agriculture and agri-food industry while also strengthening our government’s commitment to further both advanced education and agricultural sustainability.”

Back in December 2019, the Edmonton Journal reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was laying off 50 employees, which reportedly included several in agricultural research.

The three researchers hired by the U of L declined to speak to media at Thursday’s announcement.