.png "Don Flaten Honored With Les Henry Award for Excellence")
Bonnie Johnson
July 15, 2025
Media ArticleThe University of Manitoba’s professor emeritus, Don Flaten, has been honored with the 2025 Les Henry Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals in Western Canada who show excellence in soil and water science and their service to the farming community.
Flaten, who served in the Department of Soil Science, becomes the second person to receive this honor. The award was first introduced in 2024 by the late Les Henry — a well-known soil scientist from Saskatchewan and professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan.
“Receiving the Les Henry Award is a very special honour for me,” says Flaten. “In addition to being an excellent soil scientist, Les was a fantastic mentor and friend of mine for nearly 50 years and I miss him dearly. Every time Les and I chatted by phone, exchanged emails, visited a field, or met in his office, it was a personal tutorial where I learned something valuable. In addition to my respect and appreciation for Les’s outstanding contributions to prairie agriculture, I am also personally grateful for the interest and effort he invested in me and my career.”
The award highlights Flaten’s exceptional career in studying soil fertility and crop nutrition across the Canadian Prairies. His research work and dedication have made a lasting impact on agricultural practices and education in the region.
Through years of service, Flaten has contributed to advancing soil science knowledge, providing valuable insights for both researchers and farmers. The award serves as recognition of his commitment to improving farming methods and supporting the agricultural community.
This honor not only celebrates his achievements but also remembers the legacy of Les Henry, who inspired generations of soil scientists and agricultural leaders.
