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By Alice McFarlane
The 2025 recipient of the Les Henry Award is a retired professor with the department of soil science at the University of Manitoba.
Over his career, Dr. Don Flaten published nearly 100 peer-reviewed papers and delivered more than 300 extension presentations. His work has advanced nutrient management practices and bridged the gap between scientific research and on-farm practices, exemplifying the spirit of leadership and impact that the Les Henry Award celebrates.
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Flaten said receiving the award was a special honour.
“In addition to being an excellent soil scientist, Les was a fantastic mentor and friend of mine for nearly 50 years, and I miss him dearly. Every time Les and I chatted by phone, exchanged emails, visited a field or met in his office, it was a personal tutorial where I learned something valuable,” Flaten said.
“In addition to my respect and appreciation for Les’s outstanding contributions to prairie agriculture, I am also personally grateful for the interest and effort he invested in me and my career.”
The inaugural 2024 Les Henry award recipient, Dr. Jeff Schoenau, said Flaten has made exceptional contributions in his soil and water research activities on the Canadian prairies.
“In particular, his work on developing fertilizer and manure phosphorus management strategies to enhance crop recovery and reduce phosphorus losses in runoff has contributed to better yields while protecting water quality in prairie landscapes,” he said.
The Les Henry Award recognizes an individual in Western Canada who demonstrates excellence in soil and water science and its application to the farming community. Flaten is the second recipient of the award, which was established by the late Les Henry himself in 2024.
The award will be presented to Flaten in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions to the study of soil fertility and crop nutrition across the Canadian prairies.
Henry was a renowned soil scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan. He received many honours and awards throughout his career, including induction to the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. He also authored “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water.”
The official presentation of the award will take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. during Ag in Motion near Langham, Sask. in the soil pit at the University of Saskatchewan’s booth.
