FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 8, 2026

SASKATOON, SK – Croptimistic Technology is pleased to announce Dr. Rigas Karamanos as the 2025 recipient of the Les Henry Award. The official presentation of the award from Dr. Don Flaten to Dr. Karamanos will occur Tuesday, July 21 at 10 AM during Ag in Motion in the soil pit at the University of Saskatchewan booth near Langham, SK. A special interview panel session will follow at the SWAT MAPS booth at 10:30 AM where inaugaural winner Dr. Jeff Schoenau will join them. The 4th printing of Henrys Handbook has been completed and will be available at the booth for purchase and autographs from the award winners.

The Les Henry award recognizes an individual in Western Canada that demonstrates excellence in soil and water science and its application to the farming community. Karamanos is the third recipient of the award, which was established by the late Les Henry himself in 2024. The award will be presented to Karamanos in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions to the research, teaching and extension of soil fertility and agronomy across the Canadian prairies. Henry’s legacy, passion, and integrity in agriculture is carried forward with this annual award.

“This is a real honor,” says Karamanos. “Les played an important part in the extension part of my career, from presenting to communication with growers. Les and I developed a new system of fertilizer recommendations in 1991 based on water use efficiency, later published as Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendation Zones.”

Karamanos and Henry shared the common similarity of being fixtures in soil and water extension meetings in western Canada for over 50 years. Over his distinguished career, Karamanos authored or co-authored over 400 research, technical and conference proceedings and delivered over 1000 extension presentations. He taught at universities, operated a Saskatchewan soils lab, and helped senior positions in industry at companies such as Esso, Viterra and Koch. His work has advanced nutrient management practices and bridged the gap between scientific research and on-farm practice, exemplifying the spirit of leadership and impact that the Les Henry award celebrates.

The 2024 Les Henry award recipient, Dr. Don Flaten will present this year’s award to Karamanos. Dr. Flaten comments, “Rigas has contributed so much to the agriculture community in the Canadian prairies over the past 50 years and has certainly earned this recognition.”

Henry was a renowned soil scientist in Saskatchewan and Professor Emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan. He received many honours and awards throughout his career including induction in the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame. He authored “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water” and contributed columns to the Grainews newspaper for 48 years.

The copyright to Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water and the Les Henry Award were passed on to Cory Willness of Croptimistic Technology Inc. Read more on the legacy of Henry’s Handbook here. Orders for Henry’s Handbook can be made online at swatmaps.com/shop or available for purchase at the SWAT MAPS booth at Ag In Motion.

About Croptimistic Technology Inc.: Croptimistic Technology Inc. is an AgTech company providing SWAT MAPS, a turn-key variable rate process that combines data layers of Soil, Water, And Topography (SWAT) into a soil-based management zone map and process. Their SWAT ECOSYSTEM of hardware, software, support and training is adopted internationally. Learn more about SWAT MAPS by visiting swatmaps.com.

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For more information, contact:
Cory Willness
CEO, Croptimistic Technology Inc.
cory@swatmaps.com