Supporting those who support our farmers
Hello wheat and barley researchers,
I know many of you from previous collaborations, conferences, or as colleagues. In February 2021, I joined the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions as their Agronomy Research Specialist. One of my responsibilities is to build stronger relationships with the researchers that we fund. I will be providing support for developing funding proposals to help align producer funded research with grower needs, while upholding strong scientific rigor. I will also be assisting with extension of research findings, so that they resonate well with farmers leading to increased adoption.
To support our valued scientists, I will be sending out “Shop Talk with Sheri” emails with various types of information. We have two goals. The first is to deliver the best science to help Alberta wheat and barley growers be more successful. The second is to focus efforts on research that has a high probability of success because we know that the grant application process takes a great deal of resources that are better served engaging in research.
These research scientist focused communications will provide information about upcoming webinars, funding calls, and research priorities.
The first communication is an article on “The Value of a Treatment List” written by George Clayton, Murray Hartman, Brian Rossnagel and myself (please see the attached). This article gives researchers insight into the commissions’ expectations for a successful full proposal.
Members of our research scientist community are at different stages of their careers. Some of the communications will be more relevant to different scientists based on their career stage and backgrounds, but I hope that all scientists will find value in building this relationship with the commissions regardless of their career stage.
As you work through funding ideas, proposal development, and eventually extending research findings, please reach out to me if I can be of assistance. I would also like to highlight that my efforts are supported by the commissions’ fantastic research team: Lauren Comin, Director of Research; David Simbo, Research Program Manager; Jeremy Boychyn, Agronomy Research Extension Specialist; and Brian Kennedy, Grower Relations and Extension Manager.
We will also have a presence on Twitter. To find related tweets, check out #ScienceShopTalk. Additionally, if you know of anyone in the research community who would benefit from this network, please encourage them to connect with me at sstrydhorst@albertawheatbarley.com.
I look forward to working with you over the coming years and funding cycles, and stay tuned for future “Shop Talk with Sheri” emails!
Sincerely,
Sheri Strydhorst, MSc PhD,
Agronomy Research Specialist