Canada stands at the edge of agricultural revolution, with eleven teams striving to reshape berry farming's future. With the support of the Weston Family Foundation's Homegrown Innovation Challenge, these teams are pioneering new paths in sustainable and scalable agriculture.
Pioneering A Sustainable Berry Future
The Homegrown Innovation Challenge, a $33 million initiative, arose from the desire to develop sustainable berry farming techniques. Moving into the second phase, eleven teams, exceeding the initial plan of ten, have been endowed with $1 million each. Their aim? Extend berry growing seasons using cutting-edge science and technology.
Key areas of focus include:
- Overcoming climatic challenges.
- Reducing high energy needs.
- Addressing limited yield issues.
- Tackling short growing periods.
The following teams, an amalgamation of farmers, AI specialists, engineers, and more, are taking on this ambitious task:
Meet The Innovators:
- Bishop’s University, Mirella Aoun: Using revolutionary solar-passive greenhouses to curate renewable energy, reducing the carbon footprint of fruit production.
- Collège Boréal, Sabine Bouchard: Partnering with AgriTech North and RAIN, this team's greenhouse technology is set to revolutionize food production for northern growers, especially in remote regions.
- Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Deborah Henderson: Infusing AI and advanced optical sensors, their greenhouses will be optimized for efficient strawberry and blackberry cultivation.
- Ontario Tech University, Osman Hamid: Creating an energy-efficient, controlled agriculture facility (EE-CEAF) optimized for winter strawberry production, featuring autonomous monitoring systems.
- Simon Fraser University, Jim Mattsson: Focusing on blueberries, this team aims to tailor the environment for optimal indoor cultivation through advanced technologies.
- Toronto Metropolitan University, Lesley G. Campbell: Redesigning vertical farming techniques initially for cannabis to create pesticide-free raspberry and blackberry growing systems.
- University of Guelph, Mike Dixon: Utilizing knowledge from space farming to develop a high-density planting technique for strawberries in the north.
- University of Guelph, Youbin Zheng: Proposing an AI-powered autonomous farming system, the "Digital Twin Model", transforming out-of-season berry farming.
- University of Ottawa, Allyson MacLean: Introducing the "True North Berries", cultivated using genetically engineered microbes and advanced CO2 micro-capture devices.
- Université Laval, Martine Dorais: Advancing hydroponics through aeroponic techniques, integrating rotating carousels and fixed LED lights for efficient berry cultivation.
- Western University, Joshua Pearce: Embracing the sun’s energy, this team looks to boost berry productivity using open-source photovoltaic technology.
With such diversity of innovation, the next 18 months are set to witness these teams transform their concepts into tangible outcomes. The Weston Family Foundation promises to support them with mentorship, networking, and knowledge sharing.
This unique challenge highlights the importance of collaboration and expertise in the agricultural sector. As we anticipate the next round in 2025, the farming landscape in Canada and globally awaits groundbreaking sustainable solutions.
Stay updated with their journey at https://homegrownchallenge.ca/.