HOME » CHAPTERS » Toronto Chapter » 2009 CONFERENCE » SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

‘Growing for Nourishment’ Nourishing the Future
2009 Conference

Speaker and Moderator Biographies

Name	Organization	Picture	Biography
Carlo Leifert	University of Newcastle, School of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development QLIf (Quality Low Input Food)		Meet project leader Carlo Leifert head of the largest most comprehensive organic study ever undertaken involving 30 research institutions, companies and universities throughout Europe and beyond. Called the Quality Low Input Food Project, it identifies nutritional quality and safety issues associated with organic and low input farming using science to clearly delineate fact from fiction. The variety and scope of the results will help determine future directions for eaters and farmers.
Emerie Brine, Chef	Jarden Branded Consumables		For Chef Emerie Brine, the love of fresh food started as a young child. Growing up on a farm on the east coast, Emerie shared in the toils of his large family garden. As one of eleven children, home canning was a yearly tradition in his home, not only providing nutritious foods at a busy table, but acting as an avenue for the creative palate of a budding chef. Emerie credits his mother with his love of food. “Until my youngest brother and I started school and my mother returned to work, I had no idea that you could purchase sliced bread, meats, and cereal at a store. Everything my family ate came directly from the farm”. While Emerie’s roots are firmly planted in the country, he now enjoys the opportunities that urban life in Toronto provides. The global food market allows for experimentation and a full year of culinary fun. However, Emerie’s belief in the value of “fresh-picked” foods makes his partnership with Bernardin a natural. Emerie worked both as a Food Technician and a Consumer Relations Associate at Kraft Foods.  He is an expert in the tastes of the Canadian palate. His own catering company specialized in dietary-needs menus, and after a proud 3-year service as chef for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Emerie has mastered the efficiencies that preserving can provide. As the chef for Bernardin, Emerie is looking forward to continuing to experiment with new recipes for home canners. “As a child, my family picked, pickled and canned every possible fruit and vegetable that we grew. Now, with the abundance of herbs, spices and vinegars available, we can add some zip to traditional recipes, and create new taste combinations that will become family favourites”.
Margaret Webb	Margaret Webb.com		Margaret Webb, author of the acclaimed and much loved Apples to Oysters: A Food Lover’s Tour of Canadian Farms (Penguin Canada, 2008), is a passionate advocate for farmers, local foods and sustainable organic agriculture. She has been called a few names for her attempts to bring farmers into the foodie spotlight, along with local foods and chefs.  CBC hailed her as “the woman who hugs farmers.” The Winnipeg Free Press dubbed her a “kitchen-sink activist” while the Calgary Herald called her book “an engaging, engrossing and personal account, a lyrical song for sustainable agriculture and the hard-working farmers who persevere in feeding Canadians.”
Mark Cuff	The Living Vine Return to Terroir		Mark Cuff is the Owner of The Living Vine, the largest importer of Organic Certified Wines in North America. They represent wines from all over the world across the Canada and is currently representing over 70 producers. Mark also acts as the Canadian Director for the Return to Terroir - which is a organization for Organic/Biodynamic wineries which tours around the world showcasing their wines every two years in Toronto and other cities in Canada. Other Links Return to Terroir - New York 2009 Two Hands Plus Tasting Oct 2, 2008
Kera Pesall			Kera Pesall has worked on organic farms, in offices & test kitchens around the GTA. For nine years she was the Home Economist for Bernardin Ltd. and later worked in ingredient sales for Dempsey Corporation.  The concept of organic food was introduced to her through the Toronto Vegetarian Association and by shopping at farmers markets in the city. She learned how organic farming could benefit the environment, other people & her own health and wanted to “give it a go”. For three seasons, she ventured off to work on various market gardens around Toronto including a 7-month internship at Greenfields Farm.  Kera has an HBSc in Food & Nutrition and is currently waiting for the right farming opportunity to present itself.
Rob Grand	Grassroots Environmental Products		Rob Grand is the owner of Grassroots Envi- ronmental Products, Canada’s largest green lifestyle retailer. Prior to opening Grassroots in 1994, Rob spent many years working with non-profit environmental organizations in various capacities: educa- tor, spokesperson, organizer, project man- ager, and media liaison. During this time, Rob recognized a lack of alternative, earth-friendly products in the marketplace. Determined to effect change, Rob had all the motivation he needed to create Grassroots – a business that would offer consumers low-impact choices for a healthy, sustainable future while providing him with a platform to continue his passionate work for the environment. In his 18 years of environmental work, Rob has become a leading advocate, spokes- person, and educator on green lifestyle products and issues. He has served as a director of several non-profit environmental organizations, such as the Toronto Environmental Alliance, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Earthroots Foundation, Friends of the Don East, and the Toronto Recycling Action Committee. He currently volunteers as a director with the Coalition for a Green Economy, Green Enterprise Toronto, and the Local Flavour Plus Foundation. Rob has also been a guest lecturer at a number of grade schools, colleges, and universities. As a spokesperson for green products and environmental issues, Rob has appeared in every major radio, print, and television media outlet in Canada. (Grassroots Media Bio)
Laura Telford, Dr	Canadian Organic Growers		Dr. Telford has been the Executive Director of the Canadian Organic Growers for over four years.  Laura has a Ph.D. in Psychology and spent many years as a researcher in univerisities in Canada and the US before moving to the environmental sector.  In her time with the Canadian Organic Growers she's become an expert in the field and widely cited spokesperson, representing the environmental perspective of the organic sector.
Milly Ryan-Harshman			Milly Ryan-Harshman has an undergraduate degree in journalism and two advanced degrees in human nutrition.  A former public health nutritionist, she is the owner of FEAST Enterprises, and has been a private consultant since 1996.  Milly specializes in nutrition and agricultural production, functional foods and vitamin and mineral nutrition.  She writes for both public and scientific audiences and has a wide range of public speaking experiences including Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines and Malaysia.  Milly participates in research about nutritional genomics and dietetic professional practice with Dr. Ellen Vogel and other colleagues within Canada.  Milly also teaches in both the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).
Helene St. Jacques	Informa Research		Hélène St. Jacques started Informa after managing research departments in Canada and Australia at MacLaren Advertising, Qantas Airways, Foster and J. Walter Thompson. She favors a hands on collaborative, approach and brings together the corporate and community worlds.. Hélène is currently engaged in volunteer activities and community development initiatives. Board positions include: FoodShare, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Jessie's Centre for Teenagers, Canadian Foundation for Women's Healthcare, Dixon Hall, and Sheridan College School of Crafts and Design.
Paul DeCampo	Henry of Pelham Family Estate Slow Food Toronto		Rooted in Niagara, Paul DeCampo grew up with traditional food culture from both Italian and Slovenian agricultural backgrounds. An orientation toward understanding food, from farm to plate, has led him to work in industries as diverse as natural/organic foods, craft beer production, and teaching outdoor education. He is drawn to wine, as many are, because wine conveys so transparently the character of fruit, site, climate, history, culture, innovation, and the wildcard of vintage; all in a glass that you can enjoy with friends, family and food. After entering the wine business in 2000, DeCampo now represents Henry of Pelham Winery of Niagara to the hospitality trade in Toronto. As a volunteer, he works with Slow Food Toronto to increase access to good, clean, fair food, by supporting local, artisanal producers, and maintaining gastronomic traditions. Tasting T.O. with Paul DeCampo Paul DeCampo on Connect 2006 Paul will be moderating the wine panel this year.
Johann Kleinsasser	Whole Circle Farm		Johann and Maggie Kleinsasser, stewards of Whole Circle Farm, practice the principles of organic and biodynamic farming.  These sustainable and health-oriented practices provide their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members and market customers with wholesome, nutritious food and contribute to a healthy local food system.
Karen Burson	Hamilton Eat Local		Karen Burson is a self trained chef living in Hamilton.  She recently moved to one of the SURCH urban agriculture sites and will be supporting the development of a health inspected kitchen and gardens at the Murray St. Site.  Previous to this move, she helped establish the Bread & Roses Café in downtown Hamilton.  This organic/fair trade café won a major national award from Canadian Organic Growers in its first year of operation, and on a shoestring budget, with no paid advertising or marketing.  Karen went on to establish Kidzfood last year, the city's only local/organic healthy school lunch service, which now serves three area schools.  Karen is now Project Manager for Hamilton Eat Local, encouraging folks to eat locally and sustainably.  She administers three busy blogs, writes for two monthly publications (H Magazine and Mayday), and is founder and a current Co-chair of Slow Food Hamilton.
Larry Lenhardt			Larry Lenhardt has a long history in the agriculture and organic industry.  He studied horticulture and plant breeding at the University of Guelph, and, throughout his career, has expanded his knowledge to include, among other things, soil and water science, ecology, organic standards and organic certification both domestic and international.  His practical experience over a 35 plus year career include establishing Kawartha Hills Organic Farms, teaching and administrative positions at Sir Sandford Fleming College, senior positions with OCIA Canada and OCPP/Pro-Cert Canada, two prominent organic certification agencies, and advisory and board positions on numerous organizations including the Canadian Organic Advisory Board, the Canadian General Standards Board, Organic Food Conferences Canada, and the Organic Council of Ontario.  He has also found time to volunteer with the Canadian Executive Service Organization which has taken him to China, South America and Eastern Europe.
Charlotte Chambers	Golden Elm Farm
Lauren Baker	York University		Lauren Baker is the director of Sustain Ontario - the Alliance for Healthy Food and Farming. She is a food researcher and activist with over ten years of experience building local food economies, implementing sustainable agriculture projects and addressing food policy. From 1997-2003, Lauren worked at FoodShare as the founding urban agriculture program coordinator. Lauren has a PhD from York University and is a lecturer at the University of Toronto.
Maureen Reilly	Sludge Watch Sludge Watch List Serve		For the  past decade Maureen Reilly has been working together with a variety of environmental, public health, and advocacy organizations on food, soil, water, and air contamination issues.  She is the administrator of  Sludge Watch, a listserve and advocacy service for people and communities struggling with issues related to contamination from wastewater, sludge, and other industrial residuals. She had standing on the Walkerton Inquiry on biosolids related matters.  She taught a course called "Sewers through the Centuries" at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Maureen is actively committed to protecting food lands, food production, and food and water safety.  She divides her time between city and farmhouse, and travels extensively.
Marla Carlson	Farmer Direct Coop/Fair Deal		Marla Carlson was hired two years ago by Farmer Direct Co-operative (FDC) Ltd. to manage their domestic fairtrade program, 'the fairDeal'.  FDC is a farmer owned co-operative of 70 certified organic family farms on the Canadian prairies.  Before FDC, Marla spent 12 years at the Bristol, England City Government culminating in her promotion to senior manager of elections, births/deaths and marriages.  In this capacity Marla was responsible for the administration and facilitation of local, national and European elections for Bristolians.  Marla is also President of 'Care from the Core' a community non-profit association concerned with health, wellness and spiritual growth.  Marla will be presenting an update to the fairDeal including FDC's work to certifying our co-operative to Domestic Fairtrade standards with the Agricultural Justice Project. Care From the Core
Amy Chow	True Restaurant		Amy Chow is the co-owner of True Restaurant in Toronto.  The philosophy behind True is to provide a fresh, local and organic dining-out experience.  She believes restaurants can be part of a more sustainable future by taking responsibility for their impact on the environment.  That is why she sources from local organic farms as much as possible and looks for products coming from fair trade partnerships with small farming communities.
Elizabeth Guillette	University of Florida, Department of Anthropology		ELIZABETH A. GUILLETTE, PH. D.     Dr. Elizabeth Guillette recently retired as an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida.  She is best known for her longitudinal research on the interplay between Mexican children’s health and development and their exposure to pesticides.  She has also done research in India and Africa.  Her research techniques for investigating communities at risk are now published in book form and are used internationally.  Recognizing her leadership in innovative contaminant research, Canadian Broadcasting Company produced a feature video, Playing With Poison, on her work and its implications.  She also serves as a research advisor for multiple organizations.  She has been an expert witness dealing with the effect of contamination on both the national and international level.  She has been very active in providing a scientific basis for the bans on the misuse of pesticides in Canada.  She has also been invited to speak on the cultural implications of contamination, addressing various Asian governments and the United Nations.  She was active with the development of the United Nations international treaty for the elimination of persistent organic pollutants.  Currently, she is actively providing scientific knowledge in multiple court cases involving contamination as well as presenting scientific speeches around the world. Corresponding Address: 32 SW 43rd Terrace Gainesville, FL 32607, USA Phone 352-375-5929 E-mail:  eguillet@anthro.ufl.edu Fax: 352-392-6929
Saeed Rouhani	Camros Organic Eatery		Camros Organic Eatery (formerly Camros Organic Foods) is a family-owned and operated organic restaurant/take-out in the heart of downtown Toronto. "The idea for Camros Organic Eatery was born when we decided to fuse our new-found affinity for organics with delicious, aromatic Persian recipes, and turn the idea into a viable, fulfilling enterprise that uplifts those who come into contact with it (and works in a positive direction for sustainability). Our Head Chef (Mojdeh Shams) decided to apply her honed cooking skills and share delicious, wholesome, 100% organic Persian dishes at farmer's markets around the Greater Toronto Area. The response at the markets was very positive, and this led to our unique Persian meals being sold to the public at large health and sustainability tradeshows in Toronto. We have participated at major Ontario tradeshows such as "The Whole Life Expo", "The Yoga Show", "Total Health Expo", "Holistic World", "Windfall Ecology Festival", and the "National Women's Show"." (from the Camros Organic Eatery Web site)
Jens Gemmrich	Frog Pond		Jens Gemmrich grew up in a vineyard in the southern Baden Wuertemberg part of Germany where his family has been growing grapes, grafting vines and making wine for generations.  Following in the footsteps of his older brother Martin, Jens fulfilled his dream by moving to Niagara with his young family in 1994 where he used his expertise and experience in viticulture and oenology as farm manager and later as the head winemaker at Stonechurch Vineyards. Two years later Jens acquired a beautiful ten acres property in Niagara-on-the-Lake, dug a pond, and planted Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines. Jens strongly believes in working with nature and not against it and he didn’t hesitate to practice what he was preaching. After receiving organic certification for his vineyard, Jens decided to take the next step and establish the first organic winery in Ontario by cellaring a dry Riesling and a full bodied Cabernet Merlot.  Since its inception in 2001 Frogpond Farm Winery has tripled its production and Jens currently successfully farms 30 acres of grapes without the use of any chemical fertilizers, herbicides, synthetic fungicides, or insecticides. For eight years OC/Pro-cert Canada has continuously issued organic certification for both the vineyards and the wine making process.
Ann Sperling	SouthBrook Wines/Vineyards		Director of winemaking Ann Sperling learned the art of sustainability at Ontario's Malivoire Winery from 1998 to 2005. Working in those now-certified organic vineyards, the seed of biodynamism was nurtured. Southbrook's 30 hectares (in 2008, expanded to 60.7 hectares) is her testing ground for a very advanced, and yet somehow ancient, viticulture.
Mario Fiorucci	The Healthy Butcher		"There are those who eat to live.  And then there are those who live to eat.  The Healthy Butcher caters to the latter.  Whether you are buying fresh organic meat to be used in your own food creation or buying our gourmet prepared foods to be eaten by candlelight accompanied by a nice glass of wine, we ensure that what you’re eating instigates within you a passion for food and most importantly, has been produced the way nature intended."
Tomás Nimmo	Guelph Organic Conference		Tomás Nimmo runs Organic Farm Services which is a consulting venture in the field of 'organic market development.' Activities include managing the 27th Annual Guelph Organic Conference, serving CHFA in the Organic Promotion program, writing an organic column for Canadian Natural Health Retailer and supporting the sector as a delegate on the federal Organic Value Chain RoundTable.
Ted Soudant	Feildgate Organics		Ted Soudant is president of Field Gate Organics Inc., and Field Gate Organics Processing Ltd. as well as the Chair of the Organic Council of Ontario.  Field Gate Organics is an organic farming community made up of over 30 family farms working together to market and distribute certified organic meat and produce for a healthier life style and cleaner environment.
Wayne Roberts	Toronto Food Policy Council		Wayne Roberts, PhD, is a leading Canadian thinker and writer on sustainability issues, and the senior author of seven books, including ‘Get A Life!’ (a green economy primer),  and ‘Real Food For a Change’ (which focuses on food system reform and its implications for individuals, communities and the planet). He is the Co-ordinator of the Toronto Food Policy Council, on the Board of both the North American-wide Community Food Security Coalition and Food Secure Canada, and Chair of the Coalition for a Green Economy. In 2001, NOW Magazine named him one of Toronto’s top ten visionaries of the past 20 years. He was awarded the 2002 Canadian Environment Awards Silver Medal for his contributions to sustainable living.
Rick DeSylva	The Herb Works		Rick DeSylva is a respected herbalist whose company, The Herb Works, provides premium quality herbs and herbal formulae to clientele, natural food stores, and distributors in Canada and internationally.  In 1998, he started an organic herb farm to provide top quality botanicals for his company.  He is an active and current lobbyist for herbalists and herbal medicine, co-founding the Central Canadian Herbal Practitioners Association and the Natural Health Coalition.  He founded The Botanic Institute, an educational establishment for botanic medicine, and he writes and lectures extensively in Canada and internationally.
Meadow Rose	The Big Carrot		Meadow Rose is the buyer in the Body Care department at the Big Carrot, Toronto's largest independent health food retailer, which carries over 5000 body care products.  She is also a member of the Standards committee, which researches and implements progressive initiatives with customer education as a primary focus.
Bill Barrett	Planet Bean Coffee		Bill Barrett has been involved in promoting fair trade practices for over two decades.  He is a founder of Planet Bean Coffee (1998), one of the first fair trade certified coffee companies in Canada.  Planet Bean has always exclusively roasted certified organic coffee but over the past year the roastery, production facility and two retail coffee bars have been certified organic.  This completes the chain of organic integrity from seed to cup.
Scott Graham	Eco Flora		Scott Graham is the owner of EcoFlora and a floral designer who uses fair trade and organic cut flower to make arrangements delivered throughout the GTA.
Joey Shulman, Dr.	Sweet Pea Baby Food		Dr. Joey Shulman DC, registered nutritionist is the author of Winning the Food Fight - Every Parent's Guide to Raising a Healthy, Happy Child (Wiley, 2003) and the National Best Seller The Natural Makeover Diet - 4 steps to Inner Health and Outer Beauty (Wiley, 2006) . Her latest release The Last 15 - A Weight Loss Breakthrough became an instant national best seller upon release January 2008. As one of Canada's foremost authorities on nutrition and wellness, she is a highly sought after speaker, inspiring and educating large audiences across North America. Her client list includes Nike, The National Post, Research in Motion, Cadbury and Nesbitt Burns. No stranger to the media, Dr. Shulman has been called upon to make hundreds of radio and television appearances throughout Canada and the US. She is also a regular contributor to many publications including Alive Magazine, Canadian Living, Homemakers and Tonic. In addition, she currently resides on the medical advisory board for Alive publications. Dr. Joey Shulman is founder and CEO of Shulman Weight Loss Clinics - facilities dedicated to long term and healthy weight loss results. She is also a proud spokesperson for Genuine Health supplements and is head nutritionist for Sweetpea Baby Food - a line of top quality, frozen organic baby food. Dr. Joey Shulman is also proud to be the lead nutritional consultant for Stonemill Bakehouse - a family bakery with over 100 years of experience in making whole grain, high quality bread. Dr. Shulman graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and went on to become a registered nutritionist. Her passion and dedication for integrative medicine and high quality research is a key focus in her career. Her approach to health and wellness combines science based nutritional recommendations and applications with a holistic/whole body approach.
Gavin Dandy	Everdale Environmental Learning Centre		Gavin Dandy has been a farmer and educator at Everdale since 1996. Gavin manages Everdale Farm, a 150-acre operation that includes: 12-acres of vegetables, mixed grains, hay, pasture, diverse livestock, cut flowers, and a Seeds of Diversity garden. Everdale farm sells produce to over 200 CSA members, at farmers markets, and at the farm gate. In 2000, Gavin launched Everdale's Future Farmers program which has since become one of Canada's most effective organic farming field-training internships with 16 graduates now farming. Currently, he is working with a collective of farmers and local food activists to launch a mentorship-based program called Farmers Growing Farmers .
Ann Clark, PhD	University of Guelph		Dr. Clark is an Associate Professor in Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph ,  the proud mother of a 19 year old son, and an avid organic gardener.  Her research program encompasses pasture and grazing management and organic agriculture, as well as risk assessment of genetically modified crops.  In a career spanning 28 years, she has authored 15 books or chapters in books, presented papers at more than 50 conferences and symposia, and published 25 refereed journal and 150 technical and extension articles. In addition to her teaching and research responsibilities, she is also a frequent invited speaker at scholarly and producer conferences.  Recent talks in the areas of risks of GM crops and organic production systems.  Ann Clark's Publications
Patrick Conner	The Big Carrot The Non GMO Project		After having shopped at the Big Carrot for many years, Patrick became a Member in 2007. He was recently voted onto the Big Carrot Board of Directors and is serving as Chair of the stores Non GMO Committee. The Big Carrot was founded as a worker owned co-op in 1983 with seven members and has now grown into a large retail operation and a leader in Canada’s organic movement. The Big Carrot instituted a GMO Free policy in 2001 and was a founding force in The Non GMO Project. Members of the Big Carrot donate funds to projects concerning healthy eating and conscientious growing practices.
Harriet Friedmann	University of Toronto, MIssissauga EnviReform		Professor Harriet Friedmann is Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Sociology and Fellow of the Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto. She lectures and publishes widely in U.S., European and Canadian journals on issues related to food and agriculture. Professor Friedmann¹s research includes international regulation of food and agriculture, family and corporate enterprises in the agro-food sector of the world economy, patterns of international trade and farm structures, persistence and change in diets and cuisines, and agroecology. Professor Friedmann received her Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1977. Professor Friedmann is co-investigator in "Strengthening Canada¹s Environmental Community through International Regime Reform" (the EnviReform project) at the University of Toronto.