As he retires at the end of the month, a leading Canadian plant pathologist shares insights on legacy, mentorship and the real-world impact of crop disease science.

Dr. Kelly Turkington has spent more than four decades studying the diseases that shape Western Canadian crops, but ask him about his career, and he’ll tell you it’s really about people.

In the latest episode of the Seed World Canada podcast, Turkington — longtime plant pathologist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Lacombe, Alta. — reflects on a career that helped farmers better understand and manage crop disease, often saving them thousands of dollars in the process.

From his early days as a University of Saskatchewan student inspired by a single plant pathology class, to years spent scouting fields on his hands and knees in rural Saskatchewan, Turkington’s story is one of curiosity, humility and connection. Along the way, he built a reputation not just as a scientist, but as someone who listens — whether to farmers, agronomists or colleagues.

In this conversation, Turkington opens up about the realities of a life in agricultural research — the importance of mentorship, the challenge of public speaking, and the camaraderie that makes the work meaningful. He also shares candid reflections on impact: those moments in the field when a simple conversation leads to better decisions and measurable results for farmers.

Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Kelly Turkington on the Seed World Canada podcast.

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