Harry Stoddart will take the helm of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) on January 16, 2023.
That’s when Stoddart becomes the executive director of OSCIA, taking over from Andrew Graham who plans to retire in June 2023 after a six-month transitional period.
Stoddart brings a unique combination of leadership experience in not-for-profit and public agencies along with 25 years of direct experience in Ontario agriculture. His credentials include considerable consulting experience in agri-food business strategy and policy design. He also has expertise in leading teams of employees and volunteers. Stoddart graduated in 1992 with a B.Sc. in agricultural economics from the University of Guelph and completed his Master’s in economics at Guelph in 1995.
“We are truly excited to introduce Harry Stoddart as our new executive director,” said Warren Schneckenburger, OSCIA president. “With his tremendous experience and leadership capabilities, we think Harry is a perfect fit alongside our skilled team of expert staff and dedicated volunteers.”
Andrew Graham served has OSCIA executive director for the past seven years. He began his 43-year career at Upper Thames River Conservation Authority in London, and then the Oxford County office of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In 1990, Graham’s career in soil and water conservation shifted to OSCIA where he worked for many years, primarily in the design and delivery of numerous stewardship education and incentive programs and special projects for the farm community.
Before joining the Lindsay Agricultural Society as general manager seven years ago, Stoddart and a business partner operated a 2,000-acre family farm that was successfully transitioned to certified organic. While farming, he took part in environmental farm planning and conducted on-farm trials, including building and field-testing the first cover crop roller in Ontario in 2005 to terminate cereal rye while no-tilling soybeans.
“I have deep respect for the reputation that OSCIA has earned through its many accomplishments in stewardship education, cost-share programming and applied research,” says Stoddart. “I am honoured to be joining an organization that continues to play an integral role in leading efforts to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges in Ontario agriculture.”
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