Passion for agriculture innovation earns recognition

Recently the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA) recognized Blake Weiseth, Saskatchewan Polytechnic research chair, with the prestigious Outstanding Young Agrologist Award. This accolade is presented to a member of the institute under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional service and made significant contributions in the fields of agriculture, bioresources, food or the environment.

Weiseth holds a joint role as the applied research lead at Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm and as a research chair with SLICE at Sask Polytech. With a deep-rooted passion for innovation and a relentless drive for excellence, Weiseth spearheads groundbreaking research initiatives that push the boundaries of agricultural technology and education.

"Blake's expertise and dedication are making a real difference in the world of agriculture," says Dr. Robin Smith, director of Sask Polytech’s Sustainability-Led Integrated Centres of Excellence (SLICE). "His commitment to advancing agricultural research and promoting practical and effective solutions to the challenges faced by farmers today is truly commendable. Congratulations to Blake, we are lucky to have you as part of our applied research team."

“My research is currently focused on water use efficiency,” says Weiseth. “Agriculture water management is an important topic, how we deal with drought conditions moving forward will directly impact the prairies in western Canada.”

Weiseth’s unique role with Discovery Farm and Sask Polytech has many benefits. “With this dual role, we can be really effective at designing and conducting applied research that makes the best use of all the resources available to us, including those provided by other industry partners,” says Weiseth.

In addition to his in-field work at Discovery Farm, Weiseth is a subject-matter-expert that consults on programming related to Sask Polytech’s Agriculture and Food Production diploma program and has worked on microcredential development in biomass production and handling with Continuing Education. Weiseth always encourages students to consider a career in agriculture, “It’s a great community to be a part of. There are lots of disciplines and career options. It’s exciting to see the fruits of your labour.”

He adds, “It’s a collaborative industry; when it comes to agriculture, we are all in this together. We all face the same challenges with weather, pests, high-input costs and volatile markets.”

Weiseth has a professional agrologist (PAg) designation. He has really enjoyed being a SIA member. He shares, “One of the most powerful things about being a member is the community. My own success is not because I have all the technical skills and know-how. My success is attributed to collaboration and access to a great network of professionals.”

Weiseth, a driven and accomplished academic, holds a Master’s degree in soil science from the College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan. Currently pursuing a PhD in Soil Science, Weiseth's passion lies in advancing the understanding of soil and its impact on the environment. His research focuses on evaluating agricultural management practices and emerging technologies to optimize water and nutrient use efficiency while minimizing nutrient losses in runoff water.

Saskatchewan has long been an agricultural innovator. SLICE helps to accelerate that innovation by undertaking agricultural-focused applied research projects with sustainability at their core—from water management to the development of digital tools for smart farming and precision agriculture. Learn more about SLICE at saskpolytech.ca/SLICE.

Learn more about Sask Polytech’s Agriculture and Food Production diploma program.

Many full-time programs still have available seats for fall 2024. Find a program and apply today.