Soil health lecture examines agronomic gains in a changing climate

The University of Manitoba’s Department of Soil Science and Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC) are pleased to present the third Ted Poyser Lecture in Soil Health, featuring Dr. Joann Whalen of McGill University. This year’s lecture, titled “Soil Health for Monitoring Agronomic Gain: Perspectives from West Africa and the Sahel,” will take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm in Room 219 Animal Science Building, 12 Dafoe Road, University of Manitoba. A pre-event reception begins at 11:30 am outside the auditorium. The event will also be available virtually via livestream.

Dr. Whalen is a Professor and James McGill Professor at McGill University and an Affiliate Professor at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco. Her internationally recognized research focuses on soil biology, soil health, and agricultural nutrient management, with particular emphasis on developing field-based tools that link soil health to agronomic performance across diverse agroecosystems.

In her lecture, Dr. Whalen will explore how soil health can be used to monitor agronomic gain in West Africa and the Sahel, a region facing rapid population growth alongside significant challenges from soil degradation, erosion, and declining fertility. Agriculture underpins livelihoods for a large proportion of the population in this region, yet farmers must contend with unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and increasing climate extremes. The lecture will highlight how practical, field-level soil health tools can support farmer decision-making, guide responsible fertilizer use, and build resilience in the face of climate change.

Dr. Whalen will also discuss how these efforts align with broader international commitments, including the African Union’s Nairobi Declaration (May 2024), which calls for improved soil health as a foundation for enhancing agricultural productivity across Africa. By integrating soil health assessment into extension and policy frameworks, these initiatives aim to increase farmer awareness while generating data to track measurable agronomic and environmental outcomes.

The Ted Poyser Lecture in Soil Health is made possible through the Ted Poyser Plant Ideas Fund, established in 2021 to honour the legacy of Edward A. (Ted) Poyser and his lasting contributions to soil science and landscape conservation programming in Manitoba. Administered by the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy, the fund supports initiatives that promote soil health and sustainable agriculture across the province.

A graduate of the University of Manitoba in the 1950s, Ted Poyser was a major contributor to Manitoba’s soil survey and later led the development and management of several landmark agricultural and conservation initiatives. These included Manitoba’s watershed conservation district program, the Funds for Rural Economic Development (FRED) program, the Canada Land Inventory, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan in Manitoba, and foundational work on Manitoba’s Crop Insurance program. Throughout his career, Ted emphasized the importance of integrating soil conservation and agricultural producer interests into all conservation programming.