A coalition of Northern Ontario researchers has received $1 million to develop a new process for growing berries year-round in extreme climates.
Announced on October 4, the funding will go to Research & Innovation Boréal, the applied research arm of Sudbury’s Collège Boréal, along with partners including the Rural Agri-innovation Network (RAIN) in Sault Ste. Marie, Truly Northern Farms in Sudbury, and AgriTech North in Dryden.
RAIN, a part of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre provides agriculture-related support and resources to producers across Northern Ontario. At the same time, Truly Northern and AgriTech North are container farms using sophisticated hydroponic systems to grow greens year-round.
Together, the partners are aiming to develop a new hydroponics approach that combines innovative techniques, infrastructure, and equipment suitable for extreme climates.
Funding comes from the Homegrown Innovation Challenge, an initiative of the Weston Family Foundation, the charitable organization founded by the Weston family, which owns the Loblaw grocery chain.
Daniel Giroux, president at Collège Boréal, said the project aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and address “global environmental challenges related to food production and mass transportation.”
Read the entire article at Northern Ontario Business