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By Sophie Webb  Photos submitted

For Jill Lockerby, agriculture has never just been a field study; it’s been a way of life. Growing up on a beef farm in Prince Edward Island, she was immersed in the realities of farming from an early age, an experience that quietly shaped the path she would eventually follow.

Now a graduate of Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Honours) in Plant Science, with certificates in Integrated Pest Management and Sustainable Soil Management, Jill’s academic journey reflects both strict focus and a deep-rooted connection to the field.

“I grew up around agriculture, so it always felt natural,” she said. “But as I got older, I started to find my own interests within it, especially in cropping systems and environmental work.”

That curiosity led her toward plant science, a discipline that brought together her academic strengths with her lifelong connection to the Island’s agricultural landscape.

Choosing Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture also felt like a natural extension of her family’s history within the institution. Her brother is a Dal AC graduate, her father attended when it was still the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and her grandfather was inducted into the Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame, housed on campus.

Throughout her time at Dal AC, Jill built an experience that was as dynamic as it was demanding. She balanced the weight of an honours program with varsity athletics, first competing in rugby before transitioning to soccer, while also taking on leadership roles as a Class of 2026 grad co-chair and volunteering as a soccer coach for the Rams Summer Camp.

Her dedication both in and out of the classroom earned her the K.S. Marchant Award, given to a full-time student-athlete with the highest GPA.

The balance between academics, athletics and leadership became one of the more defining aspects of her time at Dal AC. “You need that outlet,” she said. “For me, it was sports and being with my friends. That balance made me more successful academically.”

Jill’s ability to excel across multiple areas stood out to faculty members, including Dr. Yunfei Jiang, one of her honours project supervisors.

“Jill has been an outstanding student,” said Dr. Yunfei Jiang. “She demonstrated exceptional academic ability, strong analytical skills and a genuine passion for agronomy. Her work ethic, leadership and ability to balance rigorous studies with high-level athletics have been truly impressive and reflect the kind of well-rounded excellence we hope to see in our graduates.

At the centre of Jill’s academic journey was her honours thesis, which focused on optimizing nitrogen management in potato production following a legume crop rotation. Conducted in collaboration with industry partners in PEI, the project reflects her deep commitment to practical, farmer-focused research.

“I’m really driven by finding solutions that are practical for farmers while also being economically viable,” she explained. “That’s always in the back of my mind… how can this actually help production?”

Her connection to the work is quite personal. With family still actively farming, Jill approaches agriculture with a firsthand understanding of both the challenges producers face and the importance of sustainable, effective solutions.

Although she was initially unsure about taking on an honours project, encouragement from Dr. Jiang ultimately pushed her to pursue it, a decision she now considers one of her proudest accomplishments.

“It was challenging at times, but it was so rewarding,” she said. “I’m really grateful I did it.”

Jill has accepted a contract position with Syngenta Canada, where she will gain experience in the agri-chemical sector, while also considering the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree in the future.

While she’s excited for what comes next, she says it’s the people and close-knit community at Dal AC she’ll miss most.

Summing up her experience in just a few words, Jill describes it as “rewarding and well-rounded,” – a very fitting reflection of both her time at Dalhousie and the path she’s forged moving forward.