John has served as the soil fertility extension specialist for Manitoba Agriculture and previously with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food in extension and field crop research. He was "book-schooled" in Crop Science from the University of Guelph and in Soil Science for Purdue University. He has had 23 years of "in-field schooling" from patient Manitoba farmers. John hosts the MB Soil Fertility Advisory Committee which reviews research to develop provincial soil fertility guidelines. John is a proud Certified Crop Advisor and was recognized as International CCA of the Year in 2014. John’s odd obsession is hunting the officially designated state and provincial soils – of which he has captured 41 states, 8 provinces and 2 African countries. He is a proud cheerleader for Manitoba's own provincial soil - the Newdale Clay Loam.