Supporting Agri-food Businesses in Northern Ontario

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The agri-food business in Northern Ontario is considered a "Hight Potential Sector" by The Ontario Ministry for Agriculture, generating over $200 million in revenue annually and supporting over 4000 jobs1. The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened consumer demand for fresh, high quality, nutrient dense, safe food, with a marked public interest for locally grown and produced foods. To respond to both industry, consumer, and workforce challenges and needs, Collège Boréal (Boréal herein) is proposing a series of applied research projects in collaboration with multiple business partner organizations in Northern Ontario's agriculture sector. The proposed applied research projects, innovation solutions, and student training activities are grouped by the following themes: 1) Horticultural crop protection and optimization; and 2) Crop diversification in agriculture. Collectively, these activities will contribute to the environmental sustainability and economic viability of Northern Ontario's food supply, as well as equip students with leading-edge skills and knowledge essential for the future competitiveness of the agri-food sector.