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Our Sympathies: Helmut Frederic Loewen

helmut holding a fish

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Helmut Loewen, a proud member of the OAC Class of 1960 (Crop Science), who passed away peacefully after a short illness.

natalia sitting on a bench on campus

Championing Women and Youth in Agri-Food: OAC Alumna Natalia Piedrahita’s Global Impact

When Natalia Piedrahita began her studies at the University of Guelph’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE), she never imagined her research would one day shape conversations at the Africa Food Systems Forum. Today, as a gender economist working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, her work is influencing how governments, researchers, and organizations think about the future of food systems, particularly through the lens of women and youth.

Cara McCreary cheerfully smiles while standing in a greenhouse.

Protecting Ontario’s Food: Ridgetown Alumna Leads Innovation in Greenhouse Pest Management

Having robust and comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) is essential to protecting crops and supporting a strong, sustainable food system in Ontario. U of G Ridgetown Campus alumna Cara McCreary is at the forefront of protecting Ontario’s food supply and has dedicated her career to advancing pest control strategies in controlled environments.

Our Sympathies: Arthur “Art” of Winthrop

It is with great sympathy that we share the passing of Arthur “Art” of Winthrop, OAC Class of 1955 on September 25, 2025. He was 94.

After graduating from OAC in 1955, Art worked as Assistant Ag Rep in Huron County, before returning full time to the McKillop family farm. Following in his father’s footsteps, he became a Select Seed Grower, growing, processing and selling Certified Seed to local farmers and as far away as PEI and Manitoba under the trade name R.T. Bolton and Son.

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