Leona Megli is a Research Technician with OCCI's crop research team, and says the crops team is a lot of fun to work with and that she’s learned a large amount about agriculture in the time she's been on the team. Leona’s favourite part of her job is getting to work outside and being hands-on with projects. With the large number of applied research activities and variety trials happening in crop research, Leona says every day is different and she loves the diversity of her job. She finds herself counting germinated seeds one day, inoculating waxworms with nematodes another day, evaluating the effects of chemicals on crops and weeds, or rototilling and cultivating.
Leona obtained her B.A.Sc. from Olds College in 2006 and her interest in research was sparked when she worked as a summer student for the nursery crops division of Crop Diversification Centre South in Brooks, Alta. Prior to joining the OCCI team, Leona worked as a Horticulture Technician for 15 years with Olds College Grounds.
Leona gets a huge sense of accomplishment harvesting a crop that she has helped seed, weed and observe throughout the growing season. She highlights that she gets excited to see the bright green of new growth poking out of the soil and enjoys watching the crops grow. She finds it amazing that each small seed contains all the information it needs to grow into the right plant.
Leona loves that the crop research team is part of creating practical, real-world solutions to issues in agriculture. Producers are in a tight spot, needing to reduce emissions and fertilizer inputs while growing more crop. By comparing how well different varieties grow across the province, and testing chemical efficacy or optical spraying, the crops team is helping producers save on inputs and gain in yield. This work truly adds up to real dollars for producers, and since Leona’s family has a background in agriculture, she knows that makes a huge difference to people's lives.
Leona spends most of her free time with her family and friends — especially her two nieces — and always has a great time whether they are going on cruises to tropical destinations, or staying home and playing games and puzzles. Leona has been an avid Formula 1 fan since 2004 and loves watching the races. She also loves being outdoors and reading. She volunteers with the Mountain View Film Group in Olds to bring TIFF films to the local theatre and at her church's welcome centre. She is also a member of the Olds College Employee Engagement Committee, Vice-Chair of AUPE's Local 71 - Chapter 2 at Olds College, and OCCI's Social Committee.
Any additional free time is spent catsitting Harry — a sweet cat who demands attention, can be a bit of a jerk, and then doesn't even repay Leona with snuggles.
Crop Research
