3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Westin Edmonton, 10135 100 St NW, Edmonton Alberta
The Honourable Rob Black, Senator for Ontario and former Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry joins us to explore the recently released report, “Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health.” The publication is a much-anticipated follow-up to the previous report released forty years ago, and it highlights the crucial role soil plays in the sustainability of our agricultural practices, economy and the well-being of Canadian society.
Following the free lecture as part of the Bentley Lecture in Sustainable Agriculture, enjoy a reception to view student poster presentations, share ideas and further discuss the challenges and solutions presented. This event welcomes ALES alumni, supporters and the greater community to engage in an important conversation about the future of agriculture and the environment in Canada.
This event is organized in partnership with the Alberta Soil Science Workshop (ASSW) taking place at the Westin from February 18-20. If you wish to register for any ASSW events, including a banquet on the evening of Feb. 19, email edaly@ualberta.ca.
About the speaker
The Honourable Rob Black is a member of the Senate of Canada and the former Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Through this work, he has been at the forefront of discussions on the environmental challenges related to soil degradation, and has worked tirelessly to ensure that soil conservation and sustainable land management practices are integral to Canadian policy. His efforts are reflected in the committee’s Critical Ground report, which emphasizes why soil is essential to Canada’s economic, environmental, human and social health.
Senator Black’s deep commitment to Canada’s agricultural sector began long before his appointment to the Senate in 2018. He is a long-time leader in agricultural networks as an advocate for rural communities and champion of sustainable agriculture. His work has been recognized within the agricultural and environmental sectors, and his dedication to policy-making continues to have a lasting impact on Canada’s agricultural landscape. In February 2021, Senator Black was recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Agriculture by Canadian Western Agribition, and in 2024 he was made an honorary member of the Canadian Society of Soil Science.
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