June 10, 2026
Meet the minds behind our work in this series of profile blogs. We regularly spotlight a researcher who’s asking the right questions, shaping better policy and bringing bold ideas to life—in pursuit of a stronger, cleaner economy.
This month, meet Olivia Richardson, a research associate at SPI whose work focuses on sustainable agriculture and food systems—specifically, how farmers, policymakers and industry can work together to build resilience. From innovative insurance tools and ecosystem outcome markets to regenerative agriculture and food security, Olivia's research explores how environmental and economic resilience go hand in hand. Her work is helping identify the policies, programs and investments needed to support farmers and strengthen Canada's food system for the long term.
For Richardson, food has always been more than what's on the plate.
A member of SPI’s Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-food Systems team, Richardson grew up in a small, community-oriented town in Vermont, where food, people and place were closely connected. Today, that connection continues to shape her work as she studies how Canadian agriculture can become more resilient in the face of environmental, economic and social challenges.
"I've always been interested in food systems," says Richardson. "What fascinated me was the fact that agriculture is vulnerable to climate change and a contributor to it. That tension and opportunity to leverage agriculture as a climate solution really drew me into this field."
After moving to Canada to study international development, Richardson shifted her focus toward environmental sustainability and food security. She later completed a master's degree in geography at the University of Guelph, where she studied emerging agricultural technologies and their environmental impacts while speaking directly with farmers about the opportunities and challenges they face.
"Talking with farmers was one of the highlights of my research," she says. "You quickly realize how diverse agriculture is and how important it is to understand local realities."
Today, Richardson's work at SPI centres on a question she believes sits at the heart of many agricultural challenges: How do we build resilience across Canada's food system?
"In my view, resilience is the foundation for everything else," she says. "We can't have a competitive agricultural sector if it isn't able to manage the risks and volatility it faces."
That question runs through much of her current research. Richardson is helping explore how financial and insurance tools can encourage the adoption of beneficial management practices that strengthen farm resilience while reducing reliance on public business risk management programs. She is also contributing to work with partners, such as CANZA and Regeneration Canada, which examines how farmers can be supported through regenerative and environmentally beneficial transitions.
A common thread across these projects is understanding the relationship between environmental and economic resilience.
"Investing in environmental resilience often creates economic stability over the long term," she says. "We're trying to better understand what policies, tools and incentives can help farmers make those investments."
For Richardson, this work is also about recognizing farmers not only as food producers but also as stewards of the land.
"We want to make it easier for farmers to make choices that work for their businesses and the environment," she says.
While the challenges facing the sector can feel complex, Richardson remains optimistic. She has been encouraged by the growing willingness of governments, industry groups and researchers to collaborate around issues such as food security, soil health and agricultural innovation.
"What excites me most is seeing the sector come together around some of these big challenges," she says. "There's a real appetite for research, innovation and finding solutions."
One lesson her work has reinforced is that agriculture rarely lends itself to simple answers. Conditions vary dramatically between regions, commodities and even neighbouring farms, making nuance essential.
"One-size-fits-all solutions don't really exist in agriculture," she says. "That's part of the challenge, but it's also what makes the work so interesting."
Outside of work, Richardson can often be found outdoors cross-country skiing, hiking, gardening or trail running. She enjoys cooking, hosting friends and exploring creative hobbies such as block printing and upcycling projects. She also volunteers in her community and is a strong supporter of her local buy-nothing group.
A fun fact? She speaks Japanese.
Richardson is eager to continue exploring how agricultural policies, programs and financial tools can help build long-term resilience across Canada's food system. She's particularly interested in emerging work on soil health, food security, farmland succession and the next generation of agricultural innovation.
Her hope for the future is straightforward: a Canadian agricultural sector that works with nature, supports rural communities and continues to provide food security for generations to come.
"I think Canada can produce food in a way that supports people and the natural systems we depend on," she says. "And I'd love to see more people understand and appreciate the farmers who make that possible."
Explore more of Olivia's work, including her latest blog post on resilient agri-food policy and a project blog post on our work with Farmers for Climate Solutions and the Nature Investment Hub.
You can also visit our Sustainable Agriculture and Agri-food Systems page to learn how SPI is helping build a more resilient, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.
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Interested in the people behind the research? Visit the Our thinkers in focus series page to meet more of the researchers shaping smarter policies and practical solutions for Canada's future. New profiles are added regularly.
Research Associate
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