Works and Days is led by Michael Babcock (PhD). As President of operations and research, Dr. Babcock has extensive experience working in the Alberta agricultural industry as a primary producer on his extended family’s cattle ranches in East Central Alberta. In addition to this, he owns degrees in Political Economy (BA, Athabasca University), the Liberal Arts (MA, Simon Fraser University), and Renewable Resources (PhD, McGill University).

His doctoral research reflects upon his agricultural background and focuses on agriculture energetics, specifically the use of energy in crop production, processing, and export. This research was additionally informed by extended periods spent in East Kalimantan, Indonesia where Dr. Babcock worked with an Indigenous Dayak community in agricultural production and socio-economic institutions. Dr. Babcock spent a number of years teaching in the Economics Department at McGill University in Montreal, where he assisted students in better understanding the interface between economic growth and energy consumption. These experiences and research permit a nuanced and deep understanding of Alberta agriculture, and specifically with the issues associated with transitions to sustainability from economic, energetic, and social perspectives.

The reminder of the Works and Days team is made up of data analysts, computer coders, and GIS aficionados. Under Dr. Babcock’s supervision Works and Days is able to tackle a wide-range of technical and scientific topics, ranging from the individual farm to the corporate and municipality scales. Our team is kept small, and our contracts limited in quantity to ensure the highest quality client support, as well as a full dedication to each and every client and the issues at hand.