Farming Smarter welcomes past student as new Research Assistant

Camryn Wojtowicz is the latest addition to Farming Smarter’s team. Having just completed her environmental science degree, she is eager to jump back into the field with both feet.

This summer, she rejoins Lewis Baarda’s Field Tested team to support research trials while getting her bearings on numerous potato agronomy research projects. With her role’s emphasis on spuds, she hopes to be leading the projects very soon.

“I love potatoes – it’s where my passion lies,” says Camryn.

Working with Baarda’s team last year, Camryn received a sneak peek at what her new role will include, helping to break ground with five new potato research projects that began in 2025.

Now, she will support Baarda in kicking off six additional potato agronomy projects in 2026. These include variety trials, fertilizer trials, and many more that all aim to advance best management practices with potato agronomy.

Over the next year, Camryn’s goal is to see the potato agronomy research program expand by bringing in new clients and building personal relationships throughout the industry.

“I’ve found that having a personal relationship with people, growers especially, makes a huge difference. Coming into this position with that perspective is going to be my strategy and I hope to achieve success through that,” she states.

Camryn’s love for potatoes blossomed from two years as a field technician prior to working at Farming Smarter. There, she fell in love with the industry and with the crop.

Towards the end of her summer at Farming Smarter, the team approached her to see if she would be in this role after graduating. It was an easy answer for Camryn, “The culture here is really great and all of the supervisors know so much about what they work on. Plus, I’m excited to be working with potatoes again!”

Farming Smarter’s potato agronomy research program enters its third year in 2026. With plenty of room for it to still grow and find itself, Camryn is ready to guide the program to find its place in the industry while she finds herself in the workforce.

“I hope to provide a middle ground for growers and industry while providing a fresh perspective for the program and organization as a whole in this job,” Camryn declares.

Camryn completed a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences with a focus on plants and soils from Lethbridge Polytechnic. She looks to grow her agronomy knowledge from the solid base she joins us with and seeks to eventually specialize in potato agronomy as well as secure her Professional Agrologist designation.

As she forges the skillset of a potato agronomy expert, she hopes to eventually design and lead a project of her own. “I would love to continue looking into the Saving Soils aspect with potatoes; I would love to see what else there is to explore with no-till practices.”

Camryn’s favourite potato is Ivory Russett – not only are they delicious, but the field is also absolutely gorgeous when their pink flowers are in bloom.