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Vineland Research: To deliver commercialization opportunities to the horticulture sector: Any Ideas for them?

I wondered what feedback people had on this announcement? Thanks, Joe



GOVERNMENTS PARTNER TO BUILD NEW MARKETS FOR HORTICULTURE PRODUCERS
AgCanada News Release

VINELAND, Ontario, October 16, 2009 – Faster access to new plant varieties and processes will help horticulture producers remain innovative and competitive. The Governments of Canada and Ontario will invest $15.6 million in the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) to coordinate and deliver commercialization opportunities to the horticulture sector.



"Research and innovation are the keys to the competitiveness and profitability of our growers,” said Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux, on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This investment will translate into new advances which will in turn translate into more economic opportunity for the horticulture sector.”



“Industry-driven research and a focus on commercialization will result in more jobs, a more competitive horticulture industry and a stronger economy,” said Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.



VRIC will work with the agricultural industry, colleges, universities and other research institutions, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, to develop the capacity of horticultural producers to grow new, high-value crop varieties, to use more efficient production processes and to find ways to increase the year-round supply of products.



“Horticulture producers in this region and across Canada are true leaders in providing the highest quality and innovative food and plants to consumers,” said Member of Parliament Dean Allison (Niagara-West-Glanbrook), who made the announcement with Mr. Lemieux in Vineland, Ontario today. “The Government of Canada supports these efforts through investments in world-class research institutes like Vineland.”



“On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, I thank the federal and provincial governments for their contribution to developing the Centre's science capabilities,” said VRIC CEO Jim Brandle. “We are committed to horticultural research and innovation that strengthens the competitiveness of Canadian farmers and agri-business through leading edge science and business development. Today's announcement is another important milestone to reaching that goal.”



This investment in VRIC is one of Ontario’s innovation and science initiatives under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial agricultural policy that supports the development of a profitable and innovative sector. For more information about Growing Forward, visit www.agr.gc.ca/growingforward or www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/growingforward/index.htm.



The VRIC was created in 2007 as an industry-led, not-for-profit organization specializing in horticultural research and commercialization. For more information about VRIC, visit www.vinelandresearch.com.

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Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Canada-U.S. Trade Dispute Raises Concerns for Agri-Businesses

A Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey warns that ongoing Canada-U.S. trade tensions and tariffs threaten the viability of many affected cross-border agri-businesses.

New Canadian tariffs take effect against the U.S.

These levies include multiple ag items

Pulse Market Insight #305 – September 4, 2026

Black Sea Disruptions Shift Pulse Demand Toward Canada Over the past several years, Russia has grown into one of Canada’s largest competitors in pulse markets, especially for yellow peas into China and India, along with growing volumes of lentils and chickpeas moving into Turkey and South Asia. That’s what makes the current barriers to shipping out of the Black Sea region so important for the year ahead. The situation could change quickly, but for now the disruptions are limiting movement from two major exporters at the very time importers are lining up new-crop coverage. The early market signals suggest that demand is starting to shift toward Canada. The disruptions are landing in a year when pea supplies were already tightening. Production among major exporters is forecast just under 10.0 mln tonnes, down almost 1.5 mln tonnes from last year’s peak, with the largest declines in Canada and Russia. Effective export availability will shrink even more than the production numbers sugges

Amazing Agriculture Adventure Returns to Bring Hands-On Agriculture Learning to Manitoba Students

Agriculture in the Classroom–Manitoba (AITC-M) is pleased to announce the return of Amazing Agriculture Adventure (AAA), taking place September 22–25, 2026, at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm & Food Discovery Centre. This multi-day, interactive program gives Manitoba students the opportunity to experience agriculture firsthand through hands-on, curriculum-connected learning. Students connect directly with farmers, agriculture professionals and industry experts while exploring how agriculture connects to the food they eat, their communities, the environment and their everyday lives. This year, 1,100 students from 41 classrooms will participate in Amazing Agriculture Adventure, engaging in activities designed to spark curiosity, build agricultural literacy and create meaningful connections to Manitoba’s agriculture and food sector. “Amazing Agriculture Adventure brings agriculture to life through hands-on experiences, helping students discover where their food comes from and explore opport

Minister MacDonald announces up to nearly $895,000 to develop and test new clean technology to benefit Canada's indoor agriculture sector

Today, while visiting Hydragreens Produce Ltd. in Calgary, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced funding of up to $894,673 for SmartGRO Bioengineering Inc. (SmartGRO) under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program – Research and Innovation Stream. Building on the recently announced $3.2-billion National Food Security Strategy and its $750 million dedicated to controlled environment agriculture, this investment will help the Calgary-based start-up to develop and test new clean lighting technology to make year-round indoor agriculture more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. SmartGRO is developing a unique system that uses ultra-fast pulsing LED lights, combined with plant sensors and artificial intelligence (AI). The sensors collect information about the plants such as temperature, health, and growth, and the AI then changes the lighting to give the plants exactly what they need to thrive. Unlike regular LED lights that stay

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