CANVAS is an annual meeting that is hosted this year by the American Society of Agronomy, the Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America. At this event, people from differing industries, government agencies, and academic institutions come together to explore advances in agronomic, crop, and soil sciences.
A big congratulations goes to Amy Hurst, a grad student pursuing her Master's under Dr. Fernanda Krupek, who was selected as a 2025 Bridge Scholar at this year's CANVAS event! Luckily, Amy had a minute to tell us about what this means to her...
What does being selected as a 2025 Bridge Scholar by the Agronomic Science Foundation and the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America mean to you?
I am thrilled to be selected for this honor, and I hope that I can represent the spirit of the Bridge Scholarship program with my participation. Globally, women produce 60–80% of the food in developing countries and are responsible for half of the world’s food production. In the U.S., 56% of farms have a female producer, yet women remain underrepresented in senior scientific and policy roles. The future of horticultural science—and STEAM more broadly—depends on leadership that reflects the communities we serve. This is how we build stronger science, richer collaboration, and a more just and sustainable future.
Can you highlight some of the key research and accomplishments that contributed to this recognition?
I am currently a master’s student with the Urban Food Innovations Team in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University, where I also earned my B.S in HCS in 1999. My graduate research examines cover crop and compost impacts in urban high and low tunnel systems. As a mid-career student, I bring over 25 years of leadership experience through my professional roles and extensive community volunteer work. Most recently, I served as founding director of Learning 4 Life Farm in Johnstown, Ohio, a nonprofit job training farm for youth on the autism spectrum, partnering with farmers, conservation groups, and agencies including USDA, ODNR, NRCS, OSU Extension, and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts. I served as Student Farm Manager and co-coordinator of the 2024 Student Growing Collaborative, and I remain active with the Ohio State Student Farm this season.
What inspired you to pursue sustainable, regenerative, and urban agriculture?
As an undergraduate in 1996 at Baldwin Wallace University, initially studying sociology, I had a watershed experience in a semester abroad course in Ecuador, focused on conservation and environment. Tours of banana farms, shrimp farms, commercial cut flower operations - all focused on high-input production for export - contrasted with visits to indigenous communities practicing traditional low-input subsistence agriculture, opening my eyes to the challenges faced by tropical economies, ecosystems and communities, and the value of sustainable locally based food production in both the US and tropical countries. Urban and peri-urban agriculture is estimated to produce 15-20% of the global food supply, including legumes, vegetables, and tubers, and can potentially increase by 30%, offering higher yields per unit area than rural production. My hope is that urban agriculture can continue to develop sustainably, shortening and bolstering the food supply chain, improving health and access to local food, and building community.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s CANVAS Annual Meeting?
As a master's student researching cover crop and compost use in urban high and low tunnel systems, I look forward to presenting my work to a diverse and knowledgeable audience, hopefully contributing to the broader discussion of sustainable agriculture in urban settings and inviting valuable feedback for my ongoing research. I look forward to building relationships with peers and professionals from industry, academia, and government at CANVAS, and to attend CANVAS career workshops, tours of local agriculture and environmental sustainability efforts, and science policy sessions.
Closing thoughts?
Thanks again to the folks at ASA, CSSA, SSSA, and ASF, and the Bridge Scholars' Program for this opportunity!
Check out more information about CANVAS here!