Board Members

  • Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj is a biologist, environmental photographer, and dedicated nature conservationist based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His work focuses on the intersection of land use, biodiversity conservation, and food security. Passionate about supporting and restoring biodiversity in agricultural landscapes, he advocates for the wider adoption of nature-based climate solutions. As a Croatian-Canadian, Branimir brings a multicultural perspective to nature conservation and reimagining food systems on the Canadian Prairies. He takes pride in his cultural heritage and ancestral connection with the land.

    Branimir has made significant contributions to the non-profit sector, serving on the board of directors for several organizations and as an appointed member of the University of Saskatchewan Senate. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in genetics, as well as a Master of Sustainable Environmental Management degree. Recently, he earned a Certificate in Non-profit Management, which he uses to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the non-profit organizations he supports.

    Branimir has published two award-winning books on prairie conservation: "The Great Sand Hills: A Prairie Oasis" and "Islands of Grass". In 2013, Branimir was recognized by the Canadian Environmental Law Association for extensive contribution to environmental non-profits, and for using his photography to advocate for nature conservation.

  • Raised on a farm in Saskatchewan, Neil has spent 40 years working with crop-based agronomy, applied research and rural development in Western Canada and Latin America. Neil has particular interests in facilitating farmers to achieve more sustainable cropping systems through crop diversification, particularly by incorporating legumes into crop rotations. He applies empowerment-based learning techniques with farmers and colleagues. Neil also enjoys planning extension events for farmers and translating science-based agricultural knowledge into written educational material for farmers and the general public. Neil currently works with Organic Alberta. 

  • Paul Hanley has been involved with environmental and agricultural issues and activities since 1970. He has published seven books and 1600 articles on these and other themes, including Earthcare: Ecological Agriculture in Saskatchewan (1980), The Spirit of Agriculture (2006), and the award-winning book ELEVEN (2014). His biography of Richard St. Barbe Baker, Man of the Trees (2018), featured a foreword by HRH Prince Charles (King Charles III) and an introduction by Jane Goodall. Paul is a recipient of the Rockefeller Foundation’s Food System Vision 2050. Paul is married and has three sons and three grandchildren. He has lived in Saskatchewan for most of his life but now resides on the island of Molokai.

  • Marla Carlson is a passionate advocate for healthier, more just, and sustainable food systems across the Canadian Prairies. Since 2006, she has held numerous leadership roles in Saskatchewan's agricultural sector, including serving as the first Executive Director of SaskOrganics.

    Marla has also been deeply involved in the Prairie Food System Vision Network, a thirty-year project aimed at decolonizing the food system on the Canadian Prairies. She has contributed to the initiative since its inception, initially serving as a Steering Committee member when the project was awarded the Rockefeller Foundation’s Food Systems Top Visionary Prize. Marla was also a founding board member of the network.

    More recently, Marla took on the role of Community Animator, helping to further develop the organization and enhance its impact.

Founding Board Members
& Steering Committee Members

  • Dr. Martin Entz (UM Plant Sci), Professor in Natural Systems Agriculture and newly appointed inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Natural Systems Agriculture for Climate Solutions. He received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988 and worked as a farm manager and research agronomist before embarking on his academic career.

    “The goal of my program is to discover new ways of farming ecologically; to empower farmers with knowledge to design organic and ecological farming systems adapted to where they live; and to engage students in this exciting process”.  He leads the Glenlea study – Canada’s oldest organic-conventional farming systems comparison study, which is in its 32nd season.  In 2011, Martin started Canada’s first farmer participatory wheat and oat breeding program focussed on organic production.  “Farmer involvement is an important part of my research program”. Entz currently leads the “Nature-based agriculture for climate resilience in East Africa” project and has engaged students in international research projects in Central and South America. The quality of his research, teaching, and mentorship of students has been recognized with the Leadership in Organic Science Award in 2019.