From: Martin Entz
Sent: April 22, 2021 8:24 AM
To: Bev Godard <Bev.Godard@umanitoba.ca>
Subject: Please send to graduate students

Dear Plant Science graduate students

It is Earth Day, and I want to take this opportunity to share some information on a field study that has been running in the Dept since 1992. The Glenlea study was established at a time when "Sustainable Development" was introduced to the international community as a goal for humanity.  This term came from the global north as it was the focus of a book authored by the then Prime Minister of Norway, Gro Brundtland.  Similar voices were coming from the Global South - for example, MS Swaminathan's "Evergreen Revolution". The idea that agriculture should pay more attention to global biodiversity was also driven by the world's first summit on biodiversity - held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992 . 

This year is the Glenlea study's 30th anniversary.  I have written a short description of the study's history and some of its accomplishments.  I would like to share it with you. Perhaps you will find it interesting. And, if we are allowed small field tours this summer, perhaps you will participate.  I will keep you posted.

Long-term studies are part of a healthy research portfolio for any agricultural university, so we are lucky that the Department has supported the Glenlea study for many years.  There are similar studies around the world, and I have had the great fortune to work on several of these - in Europe, Australia, and Uruguay.  One of my career goals, still unfulfilled, is to visit some organic long-term rotations in India, studies that are being conducted in collaboration with FIBL in Switzerland.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Glenlea study.  

Best wishes in your studies and Happy Earth Day!!

Martin

Martin Entz, PhD, FCSA

Follow our research group on Twitter @SystemsAg_UM

Professor of Cropping Systems and Natural Systems Agriculture
Department of Plant Science
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
R3T 2N2. Ph 204 474-6077 

Much of our past research is summarized here: http://www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/naturalagriculture/