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New Ridgetown Director Named
Prof known for work in field-crop pest management
Plant agriculture professor Art Schaafsma has been appointed director of Ridgetown Campus for a five-year term that began Jan. 15.
Dr. Schaafsma is an accomplished leader with a demonstrated commitment to the success of our research, teaching and outreach programs, says OAC dean Craig Pearson. He also has superb connections with the industries and communities of rural Ontario. I am delighted that he has agreed to lead the Ridgetown Campus through what promises to be an exciting period of growth over the next few years.
Schaafsma, who has taught at Ridgetown since 1986, is known for his research, teaching and extension work in field-crop pest management. As Ridgetown's ninth director, he will oversee about 150 faculty and staff and an annual budget of $11.5 million.
It will be my privilege to work with our students, staff, alumni and industry stakeholders, all of whom play an important role in the programs and services we provide at Ridgetown, he says. I am excited about the future of new initiatives and look forward to working closely with our many rural community clients.
Schaafsma succeeds Gary Ablett, director of Ridgetown since 1997. Ablett will continue to teach and do research on soybean breeding at Ridgetown and will be engaged in special projects with the University.