Dawn Trautman
2020
Scholar
Dawn has over 10 years of experience working in agriculture and food research and innovation.Most recently she worked at Alberta’s innovation engine, Alberta Innovates, wheres he was involved in designing programs and building relationships with the agri-food and innovation industries and scientific and research communities to help create a profitable and sustainable future forAlberta’s agri-food sector.
Dawn obtained degrees in biology (BSc), agricultural economics (MSc), and business (MBA) at the University of Alberta. In 2020 she was selected as a recipient of the Canadian Nuffield Agricultural Scholarships where she is investigating opportunities for on-farm adoption of agriculture technologies.
Smart Agriculture Policies and Practices
Agriculture stands at a critical juncture, facing the urgent task of feeding an expanding global population with finite resources, navigating the complexities of climate change, societal shifts, and unpredictable market dynamics. Yet, amidst these challenges lies a golden opportunity for Canada to lead the way in cultivating a future of sustainable, healthy, and safe food through strategic investments in agri-food innovation. This field spans a vast terrain, touching on macroeconomic policies to grassroots innovation, including critical topics like soil and water conservation, biotechnology, and the development of new, value-added products and services.
The research presented in this paper zeroes in on the policy landscape surrounding agri-innovation, underscoring the need for policies that not only incentivize but also build capacity for breakthroughs in agricultural technology (agtech). There's a pressing need for solutions that boost productivity, foster resilience, minimize emissions, and ensure fair profits. It's a collective effort, requiring the engagement of stakeholders across the spectrum to sculpt the food systems of tomorrow. While roles within this ecosystem may overlap, each entity primarily contributes to research, business development, or serves as a crucial bridge in the innovation chain.