Fostering Agriculture Research Expertise in Southern Alberta

Before an in-field presentation, Rigas Karamanos typically takes a pleasant stroll to admire research plots. Focused on his fight to keep his posters upright in the unpredictable gusts of Lethbridge wind, he was unaware of the opportunity that awaited him.

Dr. Rigas Karamanos has more than 400 publications and more than 1,040 presentations to his name as of November 2024. Globally, his expertise as a soil scientist is renowned for his ability to deliver “the straight goods.” Though the Greek native currently works from Calgary, Alberta, his knowledge is global including Zambia, India, North Korea, Argentina, and China.

Now, he assists Farming Smarter to push the industry innovation envelope and champion extension in agriculture

The unexpected beginning of a lifelong passion

Eager to tackle the world's challenges and begin his career, an odd happenstance put the young Dr. Karamanos into the industry that would ignite his passion.

“My father was a lawyer, I grew up in the middle of large city – I didn’t have a connection to agriculture,” the soil scientist recalls.

Agriculture ranked twelfth on his desired placement for the exams to enter post-secondary as a young man in Greece. His marks saw him accepted into the school of Agriculture Studies at his university of choice. However, he resigned himself to retaking the exams the following year in hopes of pursuing his top picks.

It was his father who encouraged him to remain enrolled in the program and study agriculture. “I’m thankful he said that,” Dr. Karamanos comments fondly.

His Bachelor of Science thesis calibrating the Olsen method with alfalfa triggered his interest in soil science. When given the opportunity to continue his studies at the University of Saskatchewan in 1973, he immediately jumped on it. After completing his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry and Fertility, his global journey to advance soil health began.

Dr. Karamanos played a pivotal role as a researcher and agronomist in the fertilizer industry. He first encountered Farming Smarter shortly after formation in 2012 while contracting research projects for a major company.

Farming Smarter invited Dr. Karamanos to showcase his expertise at its 2012 Farming Smarter Field School. Ken Coles, Farming Smarter Executive Director, appreciated Dr. Karamanos’ direct attitude and refusal to sugar coat information and the quality of work at the fledgling research facility impressed him.

“The quality of the trials was amazing!” Dr. Karamanos expressed, reflecting on his arrival at the 2012 field event.

“Both the scientific and social qualities at the organization impressed me. Farming Smarter showed a dedication to quality reflected by the summer students and permanent staff,” he adds.

The professional relationship between Dr. Karamanos and Farming Smarter continued as his career progressed. The agronomy research facility occasionally reached out to the soil scientist for insight after he’d moved on from contracting research. The pair shared a desire to improve agriculture knowledge and champion extension together yet never found the right opportunity.

In 2024, 12 years after first meeting Coles, another happenstance catalyzed a new opportunity.

Closing the gap of knowledge transfer

Dr. Karamanos spoke at the 2024 Farming Smarter Field School on nitrogen fertilizer management. Here, he and Coles shared a conversation on recommendations must be updated and how to best share this information.

Following the event, Coles worked to create a spot for Dr. Karamanos at Farming Smarter which Dr. Karamanos eagerly accepted.

“His scientific skills and extension skills are perfect for an organization like us,” says Coles. “He has a lifetime of skills and knowledge, both in soil fertility and as a teacher.”

Through his role, Farming Smarter will enhance its current level of research in agriculture and elevate its extension potential.

Dr. Karamanos works alongside Dr. Thierry Fonville to design research projects relevant to southern Alberta farmers and agronomists. Dr. Fonville’s unique opportunity to work with a wealth of information gives him a new appreciation for research.

“It’s almost like being a postdoc with a professor,” Dr. Fonville comments.

“There’s a more experienced set of eyes that can pick up on the little things I wouldn’t necessarily know. He can pull from past experiences and previous studies to help us keep new projects relevant,” he adds.

Already, Dr. Fonville appreciates the chance work alongside someone who is as insightful and supportive as Dr. Karamanos.

“Academic writing tends to be very compressed; Rigas brings insight you wouldn’t be able to get if you’re reading papers or getting your information just from educational or academic sources,” states Dr. Fonville.

Following the conclusion of their projects, the two doctors will compile results into both publication and presentation formats. Falling on the presentation skills of Dr. Karamanos, this information is expected to be concise and easily digestible for readers.

His time at Farming Smarter comes when the industry faces a looming mentorship problem. Dr. Rigas Karamanos aims to bridge the gap with the next generation of agriculture professionals.