Dr. Barry Bruce
Dr. Bruce received his MD from UWO, and established a family practice (and a family) with Dr. Carol Bruce in Carp Ontario in 1973. He was Chief of Staff, Queensway-Carleton Hospital, Lead Physician West Carleton FHT, (awarded Family Practice of the Year, 2010), received the Ontario “Physicians Care Award”, carried the Olympic Torch for the CMA, received “Family Physician of the Year” for the Champlain Region and the Order of Ottawa, both in 2013.
Professionally, Dr. Bruce provides primary care clinical work, planning, and research, leads a local Primary Care Network, works on various LHIN and MOHLTC committees and was a clinical running instructor. Dr. Bruce leads the “Physical Activity and Therapeutic Exercise” team for the West Carleton Family Health Team, and is the clinical lead for a Community paramedic program embedded in the WCFHT.
As co-chair of the "Rural Healthy Living Coalition" (RHLC), nutrition, food equity and food insecurity were important agenda topics. This lead to the development of a working group of local food experts and advocates, and eventually spawned the development of the Deep Roots Food Hub.
Professionally, Dr. Bruce provides primary care clinical work, planning, and research, leads a local Primary Care Network, works on various LHIN and MOHLTC committees and was a clinical running instructor. Dr. Bruce leads the “Physical Activity and Therapeutic Exercise” team for the West Carleton Family Health Team, and is the clinical lead for a Community paramedic program embedded in the WCFHT.
As co-chair of the "Rural Healthy Living Coalition" (RHLC), nutrition, food equity and food insecurity were important agenda topics. This lead to the development of a working group of local food experts and advocates, and eventually spawned the development of the Deep Roots Food Hub.
Alberto Suarez Esteban
Alberto (he/him) was born in Asturias (NW Spain), where he developed a deep fascination for Nature. This fascination led him to a B.Sc in Biology, a M.Sc in Conservation Biology and a PhD in Ecology.
While doing research and teaching, he realized the huge impact that agriculture has on biodiversity, and decided to start a farm and show that it is possible to grow food while supporting the health of humans and non-humans alike.
These days developing and running Nature's Apprentice Farm takes most of Alberto's energy and focus. Some winters, Alberto gets to teach courses at Carleton University and/or Algonquin College.
Alberto enjoys whitewater canoeing, playing basketball and pickleball, rockclimbing, and cross country skiing.
www.naturesapprenticefarm.ca
https://www.facebook.com/naturesapprenticefarm
https://www.instagram.com/natures_apprentice_farm/
While doing research and teaching, he realized the huge impact that agriculture has on biodiversity, and decided to start a farm and show that it is possible to grow food while supporting the health of humans and non-humans alike.
These days developing and running Nature's Apprentice Farm takes most of Alberto's energy and focus. Some winters, Alberto gets to teach courses at Carleton University and/or Algonquin College.
Alberto enjoys whitewater canoeing, playing basketball and pickleball, rockclimbing, and cross country skiing.
www.naturesapprenticefarm.ca
https://www.facebook.com/naturesapprenticefarm
https://www.instagram.com/natures_apprentice_farm/
Judith Lockwood
Judith is a formally trained analytical chemist, who co-founded a research and analytical test laboratory shortly after graduation from university. In her first career, she used her knowledge and experience to guide and work with her research and laboratory teams on contracts in a variety of fields; including environmental priority pollutant testing and site remediation, decontamination of surfaces, and development, evaluation, and quality assurance of human and environmental protective products. A significant part of her responsibilities included assisting non-technical clients to understand the basic science behind their technical challenges and what set their product apart from their competitors.
In semi-retirement, Judith has engaged in a second but equally exciting adventure in the education space (DecoScience) to assist youth to understand fundamental concepts of science though hands-on projects, as well as the importance of working with nature to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
To enhance her own knowledge, Judith recently completed the Soil Food Web Foundation courses on methods for improving soil health and sequestering carbon. She also obtained a certificate in the basics of Permaculture taught by the late Graham Bell, a food forest pioneer.
It is this path that brought Judith to join the Deep Roots Food Hub (DRFH) in its mission to develop a more sustainable, restorative local food system that improves community health and access to nutritious foods.
https://lockwoodscientific.ca/
In semi-retirement, Judith has engaged in a second but equally exciting adventure in the education space (DecoScience) to assist youth to understand fundamental concepts of science though hands-on projects, as well as the importance of working with nature to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
To enhance her own knowledge, Judith recently completed the Soil Food Web Foundation courses on methods for improving soil health and sequestering carbon. She also obtained a certificate in the basics of Permaculture taught by the late Graham Bell, a food forest pioneer.
It is this path that brought Judith to join the Deep Roots Food Hub (DRFH) in its mission to develop a more sustainable, restorative local food system that improves community health and access to nutritious foods.
https://lockwoodscientific.ca/
Rob Tovell
Rob is a 12 year resident of West Carleton, working within the high tech sector in Ottawa/Kanata.
Prior to moving to Ottawa for school, he was raised in a small farming community in Southern Ontario. Growing up, Rob spent a lot of time on his grandparents' farm and working on his uncles' farms. He also spent every summer helping his parents plant, maintain, and harvest their garden.
Rob feels that it is important to continue growing in his own garden for his family, learning new techniques, and sharing some of what they harvest so that others can learn the importance of growing food.
Prior to moving to Ottawa for school, he was raised in a small farming community in Southern Ontario. Growing up, Rob spent a lot of time on his grandparents' farm and working on his uncles' farms. He also spent every summer helping his parents plant, maintain, and harvest their garden.
Rob feels that it is important to continue growing in his own garden for his family, learning new techniques, and sharing some of what they harvest so that others can learn the importance of growing food.
Laura Virginillo
Originally from Summerside, PEI, Laura was raised in Vancouver where she started her own family.
Building a career in computer and financial markets, Laura developed skills in
communication, project management and corporate events at a senior level. With a keen desire to expand her knowledge, Laura attended UBC’s Sauder Business School and Università degli Studi di Firenze - UniFI in Italy.
Looking for a more rewarding outlet as a creative entrepreneur, having owned and operated several “side hustles” over the years, Laura established a modern concept of a General Store in south Surrey White Rock BC in 2016.
Fueling this passion, Laura found her niche again in the food industry and has grown her business to become a wholesale specialty food production company based in eastern Ontario. Pivoting her operation to scale up into the B2B market Laura moved to Ontario in 2021, built a manufacturing facility with a retail bakery and cooking school in Kanata north and continues assisting non-profit organizations with their business planning.
A new member of Algonquin’s Culinary Degree Program Advisory Council (2023/24) Laura’s ability to foster relationships with industry leaders, community residents, Members of Parliament, and business associations to achieve shared objectives in our food and agriculture industries.
[email protected]
613.328.7478
www.linkedin.com/in/modern-general-food-group
https://www.moderngeneral.ca/
Building a career in computer and financial markets, Laura developed skills in
communication, project management and corporate events at a senior level. With a keen desire to expand her knowledge, Laura attended UBC’s Sauder Business School and Università degli Studi di Firenze - UniFI in Italy.
Looking for a more rewarding outlet as a creative entrepreneur, having owned and operated several “side hustles” over the years, Laura established a modern concept of a General Store in south Surrey White Rock BC in 2016.
Fueling this passion, Laura found her niche again in the food industry and has grown her business to become a wholesale specialty food production company based in eastern Ontario. Pivoting her operation to scale up into the B2B market Laura moved to Ontario in 2021, built a manufacturing facility with a retail bakery and cooking school in Kanata north and continues assisting non-profit organizations with their business planning.
A new member of Algonquin’s Culinary Degree Program Advisory Council (2023/24) Laura’s ability to foster relationships with industry leaders, community residents, Members of Parliament, and business associations to achieve shared objectives in our food and agriculture industries.
[email protected]
613.328.7478
www.linkedin.com/in/modern-general-food-group
https://www.moderngeneral.ca/
Shirley Bryan
Shirley is an epidemiologist who has spent her career working in the Federal government in various capacities, including as a long time manger of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, as a member of the Canadian Council of Cancer Registries and as a Canadian Cancer Statistics advisory committee member. As an epidemiologist, she has performed research, collected and published data on various chronic diseases and presented findings at scientific conferences nationally and internationally.
Shirley joined the Deep Roots Food Hub (DRFH) as a board member because of her interest in population health and her desire to see every community member have access to nutritious locally grown food throughout the year.
Shirley joined the Deep Roots Food Hub (DRFH) as a board member because of her interest in population health and her desire to see every community member have access to nutritious locally grown food throughout the year.
Rudi Aksim
Rudi Aksim is a climate volunteer in Carp who believes that individual and local action is the only sure way to address the climate crisis. As a result, he is on the boards of three local organizations: Ottawa Biosphere Eco-city, Friends of the Carp Hills and Deep Roots Food Hub.
Rudi is retired from Algonquin College after a long(ish) career as a teacher and a manager in the Learning and Teaching Services and Planning Department, where he managed projects and was involved with teacher professional development.
Rudi is retired from Algonquin College after a long(ish) career as a teacher and a manager in the Learning and Teaching Services and Planning Department, where he managed projects and was involved with teacher professional development.
Elina Elnione
I believe that with the climate change life for the future generations will bring many difficult challenges. Local community collaboration will be the key factor for our resilience. I hope to do my part in building this local community through various organizations and projects.
I am a stay-at-home mom to 3 young kids while volunteering with:
• Briarbrook Brookside and Morgan’s Grant Community Association
new role starting from Dec 2023: Community Climate Resilience
Coordinator
• Kanata Muslim Association Greenspace Working Group Coordinator
• Deep Roots Food Hub field volunteer
Along with my passion and support for regenerative agriculture I bring the perspective of a young family, muslim community and immigrant experience. I would like to evaluate how ExerFarm’s objectives would apply practically to a local family. And demonstrate to the local community the benefits of local, organic, sustainable food supply.
Born and raised in Latvia, a small country that has intimate connection to nature and a culture of allotment and backyard gardens and foraging (berries and mushrooms). I studied Town and Country Planning at the University of Liverpool, UK.
[email protected]
I am a stay-at-home mom to 3 young kids while volunteering with:
• Briarbrook Brookside and Morgan’s Grant Community Association
new role starting from Dec 2023: Community Climate Resilience
Coordinator
• Kanata Muslim Association Greenspace Working Group Coordinator
• Deep Roots Food Hub field volunteer
Along with my passion and support for regenerative agriculture I bring the perspective of a young family, muslim community and immigrant experience. I would like to evaluate how ExerFarm’s objectives would apply practically to a local family. And demonstrate to the local community the benefits of local, organic, sustainable food supply.
Born and raised in Latvia, a small country that has intimate connection to nature and a culture of allotment and backyard gardens and foraging (berries and mushrooms). I studied Town and Country Planning at the University of Liverpool, UK.
[email protected]
