Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Anatomy of an academic firing

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Former University of Guelph professor Doug Powell says he has been fired from his professorship at Kansas State University. While at Guelph, Powell launched Food Safety Net, an Internet-based compilation of food safety issues worldwide. It was widely followed, but one Ontario agriculture ministry veterinarian confessed to Better Farming that he unsubscribed because the litany of food safety disasters was too depressing.    

Powell renamed his chronicle "barfblog.com" when he moved stateside. On Mar. 29, Powell wrote: "Today I was told my contract would not be renewed beyond June 30, 2013, because of bad attendance."

He continued: "I was hired by K-State in 2006 for my food safety outreach activities, research and teaching. I was promoted to full professor in 2010 in recognition of successfully fulfilling those objectives." He went on to describe a wide-ranging and successful academic career. Powell planned to follow his wife to Brisbane, Australia, where she had been offered a tenure position at the University of Queensland. "I consulted with the dean of the vet college, and my department chair and, given the electronic and eclectic nature of my research, extension and teaching, they agreed to experiment with me being based in Brisbane," Powell wrote.

"Today I was told my contract would not be renewed beyond June 30, 2013, because of bad attendance. I'm getting fired for not being there to hold my colleague's hand during tea. Stay tuned. Lawyers are up next." BF

Current Issue

May 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

How will Carney work with Farmers?

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Prime Minister Carney has a mandate to lead the country, but the country is quite divided, and much of the agriculture industry feels alienated. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged cooperation on key issues like U.S. tariffs. As the new... Read this article online

Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top