John Ippolito, PAg, Crops Extension Specialist
John has a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan. He has worked in agriculture extension with a focus on crop production and farm management since 1987. His main areas of focus are crop production with specialization in pulse crops and precision agriculture.
Dwayne Summach, PAg, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist
Dwayne grew up on a mixed farm west of Saskatoon. He received a B.Sc. in agriculture, majoring in animal science and a M.Sc. in ruminant nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan. Dwayne has previously worked as a research associate for the Western Beef Development Center, as a rangeland agrologist with the Grazing and Pasture Technology program, as a ruminant nutritionist in a commercial feed mill, and as a farm forage production extension specialist, for Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.
Cassandra Schroeder, AAg, Range Management Extension Specialist
Cassandra has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan with a major in agronomy. She has worked in plant breeding and, most recently, in land management with the Ministry’s Lands Branch. As a Range Management Specialist she offers ranchers strategies to better manage their rangelands. Cassandra grew up on a mixed farm in central Alberta.
Ann Dies, Regional Services Representative
Ann grew up on her family's farm in Australia. She had the opportunity to travel to Canada as an Agricultural Exchange Student. She currently operates a mixed farm at Netherhill. Ann worked for the Kindersley School Division and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation before joining the Ministry.
Kaitlin Bancroft, Administrative Support
Kaitlin has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages and has held various customer service roles in the agriculture industry. She now works as a Customer Service Representative and Administration Support for the Kindersley Regional Ministry of Agriculture and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation offices. Kaitlin lives on a farm in Tyner with her partner Stefan, two dogs, three horses, and a very personable donkey.