IWCA series: Mary Ruth McDonald

Mary Ruth McDonald has always been interested in plants, which led her to the University of Guelph, the study of plant pathology, and an interest in crop protection. But it was a summer job as a pest management scout in Ontario’s Holland Marsh that clarified what she wanted to do with those interests. Between her work as an OMAFRA pest management specialist and as a professor in the department of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph, McDonald has spent almost her entire career focusing on vegetable cropping in the unique agricultural production conditions of the Holland Marsh, acting as a bridge between research and application in the field.

In this episode of AgAnnex Talks, McDonald, one of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture, speaks with Fruit and Vegetable and Top Crop Manager East editor Alex Barnard about trying new things, rolling with the punches and seeing research in action.

IWCA is a program created by the agricultural brands at Annex Business Media designed to recognize women who make a difference in Canada’s ag industry and provide them with a platform to share their knowledge, triumphs and advice.

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Special thanks to Bayer Crop Science, platinum sponsor of the 2022 Influential Women in Canadian Agriculture program.