Tori Waugh, principal consultant of Conservation Ag Consulting, steps in as executive director of the Ontario Soil Network as of early January 2021.
The Ontario Soil Network is a farmer-led learning and networking organization formed to connect and support farmers across the province through training, access to research, and networking opportunities.
Waugh has been involved with OSN as a participant, volunteer, officer, ambassador, and most recently as the provincial coordinator from 2018 through late 2019. Waugh’s organizational experience, soil science background, social network expertise, and diverse skill set will be crucial over this next year to lead the anticipated work plan that comes on the heels of our newly developed Strategic Plan.
The announcement comes as a result of a rigorous competitive procurement process, involving a recently issued request for proposals.
“Tori Waugh’s vision, diligence, and leadership will support the Ontario Soil Network’s success,” says Ontario Soil Network chair, Woody Van Arkel. “She has grown the Ontario Soil Network from the innovative project founded by Mel Luymes, into an organization with a strong base of support to continue building partnerships for improving soil health in Ontario. We look forward to supporting the community of practice focused on soil health in Ontario with the direction and expertise provided by Tori. After four months of fulsome discussion and an excellent selection of candidates to choose from, Tori’s experience, passion and skill-set distinguish her in the field as a strong fit to help us start our strategic cycle with focus and strong direction.
Ontario Soil Network also says that Mel Luymes, Lisa Holland, Jenn Doelman, and Jim McComb will play vital roles in supporting the anticipated accomplishments of the organization.
“I am very pleased to be joining the Ontario Soil Network as executive director. I am most excited to be working with and for farmers across Ontario; but I’m also looking forward to building and strengthening the many rewarding partnerships between the Soil Network and Ontario’s organizations, academic institutions, private industry, and federal and provincial ministries. I look forward to building on the accomplishments of the Ontario Soil Network and contributing to the way we support the uptake of soil health best management practices in Ontario,” Waugh says.
The Ontario Soil Network board of directors has also announced that Dr. Erin Nelson, assistant professor in the department of sociology and anthropology at the University of Guelph, will join the board effective early January, 2021. Nelson fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Ian Nichols and Alan Kruszel in 2020.