Dr. Jim Robertson was a passionate and energetic driving force behind the vibrancy and success of the Breton Plots. His involvement and dedication to the Breton Plots began as a Professor in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Alberta. His involvement extended well past retirement by remaining active with the Breton Plots Soil Conservation Society and the Breton Plots Management Team.
Dr. Robertson’s first involvement with the Breton Plots began in 1955, when Dr. Toogood (then Department Chair and supervisor of the Plots) requested help with fall soil sampling of the long-term Plots, on a cool, rainy day. While direct involvement in management of the Plots in the years to follow (1955 – 1975) was minimal, Dr. Robertson helped when requested with soil sampling, harvesting and assisted during the annual Breton Plots Field Days.
In 1976, Dr. Pawluk, then Chair of the Department of Soil Science, asked Dr. Robertson to supervise the Breton Plots. In an interview with Dr. Robertson in 2018, he said that he recalls that conversation, and saying, “we must do it well; it needs improvement”.
In 1979 Dr. Robertson, with Dr. Domier (Department of Agricultural Engineering), established the Phosphorus Plots at both the Breton Plots and at the Ellerslie Research Station in Edmonton. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on the yield of crops under conventional and no-till/direct seeding conditions. These plots continued for 30-years, with numerous students and publications over the period.
The Breton Plots Field Day has been an annual event (with some exceptions), generally scheduled on a day in late June or July of any given year. Often, the main attraction for participants at the Field Day was Dr. Robertson. His depth of knowledge of the Plots and its experimental results, combined with his ability “to tell a story” or “to create a narrative”, kept everyone’s attention. Dr. Robertson will be remembered by many for his gift of teaching, both in the classroom and in the field.
One of the main challenges with continually managing the Breton Plots was finding sufficient funding and labour for proper operations. The demand for labour increased when the University gradually took over all the field operations from Bill Flesher (late 1970's). Support staff from the Department of Soil Science, who were often funded indirectly through various research projects, assisted with the management of the Plots. Numerous budget cuts at the University over the years impacted support staff positions, and continued staffing was a challenge. A solution to funding that was independent from University budgets was soon viewed as the only means of survival of the Breton Plots.
In 1983, Dr. Robertson established the Breton Plots Endowment Fund. The purpose of the fund, as stated at that time, was “…to use the interest generated by this fund to assist in the general operations of the Breton Plots.” The next step of growing the Endowment Fund was taken with the help of Dr. Bentley. During 1998 to 2000 Drs. Robertson and Bentley went on a fund development campaign, visiting ten counties and the Alberta Cattle Commission. The results of these visits was significant, with the Endowment doubling in size during this time from contributions after these visits. In 2000, the Breton Plots Soil Conservation Society (BPSCS) was established. The BPSCS was operated “arm-length” from the University, and allowed for solicitation of funding that supported the Breton Plots, and couldn’t be deposited directly into the Endowment Fund. For example, in 2001 a successful grant application by the BPSCS resulted in the building of a wildlife exclusion fence around the Plots. The BPSCS operated from 2000 to 2011, and was successful in securing funding for several key projects, including the “History Project” lead by Dr Shirley Ross.
Although Dr. Robertson retired in 1996, he continued to be the main contact for staff conducting field operations at the Plots. In 2001, together with Dr Les Fuller and operating staff, the Breton Plots Management Committee (later Team) was formed “to provide decision-making support for the Breton Plots”. Dr. Robertson was a faithful member of the Management Team, providing insightful advice for numerous management decisions, all the way to 2024, when deteriorating health prevented his further participation. At this point in time, Dr Robertson faithfully served the Breton Plots for 68 years! He is truly a legend.
In 2025, the Breton Plots Management Team recognized Dr. Robertson’s contributions to the Breton Plots by naming a modern, multifunction building at the Breton Plots in his name. The Robertson Building is the hub for operations at the Plots, and future academics, staff and visitors will be exposed to the Robertson name during visits to the Plots. May his Legacy continue!
