Emcee: Rebecca Archibald

Rebecca works full-time with Truro Agromart in internal sales, logistics and administration, where she enjoys dealing with farmers and crop inputs across the province. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and owns a dairy farm in Upper Stewiacke with her husband where they are raising their two young children. Aside from the office, the farm, and her sweet little girls, you can find Rebecca dedicating her time to Agriculture through involvement in the Minister’s Youth Council, Nova Scotia Young Farmers, and several industry and community boards.

John Weigelt 

John Weigelt is the National Technology Officer at Microsoft Canada where he leads their strategic policy and technology efforts. He helps individuals and organizations across Canada innovate with technology while avoiding the unintended consequences that might arise. 

John has contributed to many technological efforts that established the foundation for the electronic services we take for granted today and he continues to lead efforts to evolve technology standards and policy. His extensive experience in technology, business and policy provides him with a unique perspective of our technology enabled economy. 

When he’s not thinking about what’s next in technology, you’ll either find John tending his bees, boiling maple syrup, brewing cider at his home or travelling the globe in search of his next culinary adventure.

Rochelle Owen

Rochelle Owen has worked in the environment and sustainability field for 35 years in government, non-profit, academic sectors and now as a consultant. Rochelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Environmental Studies, Certificate in Financial Management and is a LEED GA. Her roles in advisory, community engagement and leadership positions have provided her with insight into governance, an invaluable asset in grant writing, community facilitation and supporting project development. Rochelle has been involved in the implementation of 15 solar projects and has recently presented on opportunities for PV recycling and agrivoltaics.

Dr. Brandon Heung

Dr. Brandon Heung joined Dalhousie University in 2017 and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, where his primary research interests are in the field of digital soil mapping (DSM). Since 2018, he has been co-chairing the Canadian Digital Soil Mapping Working Group, a national network of soil mappers that are tasked with coordinating and developing national-scale mapping products. Through this Working Group of the Canadian Society of Soil Science (CSSS), they have been advancing and promoting DSM research across the country and have offered multiple workshops to the soil science community. He is also leading a $6.9-million national project to oversee the modernization of Canada’s soil data infrastructure to ensure data is accessible to all Canadians and reduce the cost of soil testing.

Dr. Rozita Dara

Dr. Rozita Dara is an Associate Professor at the School of Computer Science, and the Director of Artificial Intelligence for Food (AI4Food), at the University of Guelph. Dr. Dara has established an interdisciplinary research program that spans applied artificial intelligence and data and technology governance, with a particular focus on agri-food systems. She has also spearheaded several initiatives related to digital agri-food at both the global and national levels. Her agri-food automation projects cover areas such as developing surveillance tools for avian influenza monitoring and prediction, early identification of mastitis in dairy cows, and mushroom harvesting.

Peter Chapman

In 2007, Peter started a company to provide customized services to producers, processors and retailers across Canada. SKUFood works directly with producers and processors to help them understand their customers, the retailers. Peter is the author of A la cart, a supplier’s guide to retailers’ priorities, he is the president of Food and Beverage Atlantic in 2024 and he was the national president of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers in 2021. He has provided food industry insights to Canadian Grocer, The Globe & Mail, Maclean’s magazine, Canada AM and he writes a monthly column in the Grower. 

Kraig Porter

Since 2017, Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Lead Energy Manager for Agriculture, Kraig Porter has helped those in the agricultural sector identify opportunities to save over $2 million per year on their energy bills. An employee of Efficiency Nova Scotia since 2012, Kraig works with farmers, the Department of Agriculture, industry associations, engineering firms, contractors and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Kraig is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University (BSc in Environmental Earth Science with interdisciplinary studies in Aquatic Resources) and the Annapolis Valley Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College (diploma in Energy Sustainability Engineering Technology).

Rod Babcock

Rod is passionate about the bioeconomy and renewable resources, spending the beginning of his career in operational roles with Alberta Pacific Forest Industries and Bowater Mersey Paper Company, where he specialized in forest management. In addition to an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, Rod holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick. Rod is also an entrepreneur and has been involved in the launch of several ventures that support product and process innovation in the Canadian bioeconomy. He serves as the Executive Director of the Greenspring Bioinnovation Hub, a not-for-profit focused on supporting the growth of Nova Scotia’s bioeconomy.

Terri MacPherson

Terri has been with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture since 2015 and has 8 year’s experience as a Professional Agrologist. Her roles have ranged from business development to her current position as a Climate Change Specialist. Terri’s favorite part of her current role is learning about the climate adaptation leadership demonstrated by Nova Scotia producers and having the privilege of sharing their inspiring stories with others.

Thomas Grégoire

Thomas Grégoire is the Founder and President of VITIS Vines, Inc., based in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. He leads the company’s strategic direction, driving innovation in grapevine propagation through advanced tissue culture technology. With a B.Sc. in Biology and extensive experience in molecular genetics, Thomas oversees operations, manages financial strategy, and fosters partnerships to advance sustainable viticulture.

Prior to founding VITIS Vines, Thomas spent over a decade in the maritime industry, mostly as East Coast Program Manager for Green Marine, the international sustainability program. His experience in this role shapes his commitment to embedding sustainability into every aspect of VITIS Vines’ operations and vision.

Geoff Larkin

Geoff Larkin is the Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator for the cattle and sheep sectors in Nova Scotia. His background is in cow calf production, where the family farm has Red Angus, Shorthorns and Herefords. Raising high quality beef in a sustainable manner is of importance at Lorcain Farms. He has a degree in Environmental Science from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Over the past decade has been involved in many Boards related to agriculture, including the Young Cattlemen’s Council, Maritime Beef Test Station, Nova Scotia Cattle Producers, Maritime Beef Council, and the Middle Musquodoboit Agricultural Society.

Cheryl Ritz

Cheryl is the Climate Adaptation Coordination for Horticulture Nova Scotia. She is a dedicated professional specializing in coordinating climate information, facilitating knowledge sharing, and managing projects to aid farmers in strategic decision-making for adaptive practices. She ardently advocates for collaboration, recognizing cross-sectoral efforts as pivotal for effective adaptation.

Stuart Downie

Stuart Downie is the Climate Change Specialist at Perennia Food and Agriculture. He currently leads the development of climate change adaptation strategies for Nova Scotia’s tree fruit, wild blueberry, and beekeeping sectors. He also provides climate change support and resources for several other agricultural sectors. Stuart has a BSc in Environmental Science (Trent University) and is soon to defend his MSc (Dalhousie University) specializing in soil chemistry, carbon dynamics, and organic amendments.

Fraser McNab

Fraser Macnab is the Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator for the Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia. In this role, he works closely with Christmas tree growers, producers, and industry stakeholders to design and implement projects that provide the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to address and adapt to the challenges of climate change. Through developing initiatives tailored to the sector’s unique needs, he aims to support the industry in navigating environmental challenges. His efforts are focused on helping ensure the long-term sustainability, resilience, and viability of the Christmas tree industry in an ever-changing climate.

Susan Sipos

Susan Sipos graduated in 2013 with a dual degree in International Food Business from Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture with a Bachelor of Agriculture and CAH Vilentum in the Netherlands with a Bachelor of Business Administration. 

 In 2014 she joined the Sales and Marketing team at Nova Agri, one of the largest fruit and vegetable farms in Atlantic Canada. Her work experience has been focused on the sales and marketing of fresh produce to major retailers, developing an understanding of the supply chain from field to fork and the agricultural challenges farmers face to meet retail needs on the shelf. 

Brandon Millen

In 2012, Brandon and his brother Jonathan founded their own company, J&B Millen Farms, growing their own strawberries and various vegetable crops while continuing to work alongside their parents on the original farm. In 2014, they acquired their first wild blueberry property. Later that same year, they worked with their parents to create the formation of East Coast Wild Blueberry, a company dedicated to producing high-quality IQF wild blueberries. A few years later, they expanded into raising hogs under the Rustic Humane Pork Program. In 2020 they ventured into broiler production by acquiring a company called Stillwater Poultry with another shareholder. Between 2020 and 2023 they added to their blueberry operation with the acquisitions of Slack Farms Ltd., Glenmore Farms Ltd. and Dunmore Farms Ltd.  

Andy Vermeulen

Andy was raised in the farming industry, going on to successfully operate multiple farming companies for over 40 years. As part owner of Vermeulen Farms Ltd., along with his son Ben, Andy has gained considerable experience in financial accounting, strategic business and succession planning, sales, production, and food safety. In addition to his employment background, Andy’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and completion of the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management program from the George Morris Centre in 2012. Andy currently holds multiple positions on numerous boards and committees in his profession and in the community, offering expertise on board structure and operations.

Melissa Quinn

Melissa Quinn is the Project Executive for the governments buy local program, Nova Scotia Loyal, an economic development program designed to promote local growers, harvesters, crafters and manufacturers. Nova Scotia Loyal’s objective is to create a movement so we can all be more thoughtful about the way we spend our dollars – building demand for and consumption of local products to put more money directly into the hands of local producers.

Dr. Craig MacEachern

Dr. Craig MacEachern is a McCain Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University, specializing in precision and digital agriculture with a focus on sustainable food production systems. His research includes work on precision applicators, remote sensing, and AI-based solutions, to enhance efficiency and sustainability in agricultural practices. Dr. MacEachern has led numerous projects addressing critical challenges in wild blueberry production while focusing on improved resource management and environmental stewardship. A recipient of multiple awards for his innovative research and academic excellence, he is committed to integrating cutting-edge science into actionable strategies for farmers, researchers, and policymakers in Nova Scotia and beyond.