A Conversation with Brittany Lacasse of CropLife Canada
Brittany Lacasse, manager of stewardship and sustainability at CropLife Canada, is a strong advocate for FieldWatch in the Canadian provinces, especially now with three provincial members. Saskatchewan became the first provincial member in 2014 with Manitoba and Alberta joining in 2025. For stakeholders across Canada, FieldWatch reduces the risk of pesticide drift, supports better decision-making and brings diverse groups together — all while remaining free to use, lowering barriers to participation.
In this interview, Brittany shares how FieldWatch is already making an impact in Canada and what she envisions for the future.
FieldWatch (FW): Thank you, Brittany, for taking the time to tell us about your experiences. Please explain your role at CropLife Canada and why you connected with FieldWatch.
Brittany Lacasse (BL): I’ve been with CropLife Canada for nearly three years, working on stewardship and sustainability. My background is in agricultural science and sustainability management, and I’ve always been fascinated by innovations for sustainable outcomes and collaboration in the ag industry.
I first came across FieldWatch while exploring ways to strengthen communication between farmers, beekeepers and other stakeholders in Canada. I reached out to the FieldWatch team two years ago, and since then, it’s been exciting to watch FieldWatch expand from one provincial member, Saskatchewan, to three with Alberta and Manitoba joining earlier this year.
FW: What factors helped drive the Canadian expansion?
BL: Our first step was to engage with stakeholders—beekeepers, farmer associations, aerial applicators, organic associations and provincial governments—to discover their goals for improving efficiency and focusing on sustainability. Alberta emerged as a natural fit with its canola industry’s reliance on pollinators. Manitoba followed, as stakeholders quickly recognized the value FieldWatch could bring to their work.
These groups immediately determined that FieldWatch provided real value: it broke down silos, gave applicators easier access to contact information for beekeepers and growers, and created opportunities for collaboration. Many aerial applicators operate across multiple provinces and want a tool that helps them work more safely and efficiently.
FW: Why is FieldWatch an important tool for Canadian agriculture?
BL: At its core, FieldWatch supports ongoing stewardship activities and efficiency for stakeholders. Agriculture involves maximizing productivity while protecting the environment, which requires strong communication and trust between sectors.
FieldWatch stood out to us because of its strong commitment to data quality and verification. That level of precision builds trust and helps ensure crop protection products are applied effectively and responsibly. Unlike other registries, FieldWatch brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, from beekeepers to organic and conventional growers to applicators, making it a truly inclusive tool.
FW: How does FieldWatch align with CropLife Canada’s stewardship goals?
BL: Stewardship is central to our industry: from research and education to product use to end-of-life product management. For us, supporting FieldWatch is a natural fit. It helps ensure that pollinators and crops can thrive together on the Canadian landscape.
We also appreciate that FieldWatch offers privacy protection for beekeepers concerned about hive theft and continues to evolve with the needs of growers and applicators. It’s not just about mapping sensitive sites. It’s about enabling safer, more transparent and more sustainable practices across the agricultural landscape.
FW: What future opportunities do you see for FieldWatch in Canada?
BL: Ultimately, our goal is to see FieldWatch available in every province. Ontario is one of the next areas we’re exploring because of its diverse mix of crops and strong beekeeping sector.
The key to success will be continued awareness and engagement. We’ve already seen strong uptake in Alberta and Manitoba, and we know building habits takes time. Through partnerships with industry associations, retailers, applicators, and farmer and beekeeper groups, we will continue our momentum and work to expand provincial membership in FieldWatch.
I hope in 10 years, FieldWatch is a standard stewardship tool across Canada, one that not only maps sensitive sites but also fosters relationships between groups that didn’t historically talk to each other. Additionally, I’d love to see the current conversation shift: rather than framing agriculture and pollinators as being in conflict, people will recognize FieldWatch as proof that industry-led stewardship initiatives can have positive outcomes for biodiversity and pollinator health.
The more people who join and engage with the platform, the more powerful it becomes for Canadian agriculture as a whole.
*Thank you to CropLife Canada for the photos with this article.
More information:
If you would like more information about CropLife Canada, please visit the website here.
For the recent contact information for each province’s FieldWatch data steward, check out the directory here.
