Innovation North and the University of Guelph have partnered since 2022 through the Sustainable Agri-Food Futures project. This partnership aims to address key challenges in the farming industry by promoting and implementing sustainable agriculture practices. The primary goal is to ensure food security, efficient resource management, and environmental preservation for Ontario’s farming communities and ecosystems.
Imagine a world...
where soil is fertile and resilient, contributing to robust food systems for generations to come.
Farmers face more challenges today than ever before. The rising cost of land, pesticides, labour, fertilizers and other resources have made farming economically challenging. Many of these challenges pertain to the pressures imposed by the natural environment, which are being aggravated by the extreme weather events catalyzed by climate change, which are affecting crop yields and quality. By extension, changes in bird migration have resulted in an increased spread of diseases and higher animal mortality. Each challenge has the ability to create a devastating domino effect on agricultural sustainability and prosperity.
Rooted in a systems thinking approach, Innovation North and the University of Guelph collaborated to identify potential areas to catalyze innovation in the agricultural sector in Southwestern Ontario. Guided by the Innovation North Compass, this project identified soil health as the heart of agri-food sustainable futures. Soil conditions directly influence production processes and costs, and healthy soil facilitates reliable crop yield as well as carbon sequestration, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The project aimed to uncover opportunities for farmers to improve soil health. But, there are many more opportunities if farmers collaborate with others. The project brought farmers together with experts in various domains, including industry associations, small businesses, academics, and government to create new ventures that leverage technologies to foster long-term soil health. Read more about the outcomes of the these ventures, or watch the video recap.
Farmtario also covered the in-person workshop which took place on April 28, 2023.
Imagine a world...
where livestock production is symbiotic with nature, ensuring resilient, healthy animals and a flourishing environment.
Building on the success of opportunities generated to improve soil health, the University of Guelph has re-engaged Innovation North for a second phase of work centered on sustainable livestock production. This phase addresses the complex issue of meeting the increasing global demand for animal-based food products while responsibly managing resources and minimizing environmental impacts.
To tackle these challenges, Innovation North and the University of Guelph hosted the Sustainable Agri-Food Futures Workshop: Livestock Management at the University of Guelph on March 26, 2024. This event brought together livestock producers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from Ontario. Participants engaged in a facilitated exercise to identify potential desirable futures in livestock agriculture, the barriers preventing these futures from being achieved, and opportunities to overcome these obstacles. This collaborative effort generated a diverse range of ideas and potential solutions.
The workshop resulted in 5 fundable applications to the University of Guelph’s research grant “Advancing Research Impact Fund.” This grant promotes continued collaboration, ensuring that researchers address issues meaningful to farmers and that farmers have a significant voice in the research process. By systematically addressing these unique challenges, the Sustainable Agri-Food Futures project propels progress toward a more resilient and sustainable future for Ontario’s farming communities and ecosystems. Read more about the workshop and proposed solutions, or watch the video recap.
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