Dr. Art Bomke
Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Art was raised on a small farm in Illinois, did his university education in that state at Southern Illinois University (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.) and immigrated to British Columbia almost four decades ago. Art’s educational background is in Agronomy, specifically soil and crop management; and he has taught courses on soil fertility and management since his arrival at UBC. Art has also had opportunities to explore social dimensions of agricultural systems. Since coming to UBC, he has conducted research on both inorganic and organic fertilization, nitrogen cycling, and cropping systems. Currently, his group is studying on-farm use of composts, symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Yukon agriculture, soil health indicators and the City of Vancouver’s foodshed. Most of the work is done in partnership with farmers and other participants in food systems. Art is a strong proponent of small-scale agriculture, including organic and urban systems, and the need to strengthen community food systems. His contribution to the Faculty of Land and Food System’s core Land, Food and Community courses exemplifies this commitment. Finally, Art serves as the Graduate Advisor for the UBC Soil Science Graduate Program.