GFO commits $200,000 to Ridgetown Campus research centre

OMAFRA cereals specialist Joanna Follings speaks to growers at Ridgetown College.

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) will contribute $200,000 to the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus for its new Crop Research and Innovation Centre.

The Crop Research and Innovation Centre will be a key resource for future research innovations in crop production, management, sustainability, and more, says GFO.

“Our farmer-members have always recognized the importance of understanding new innovation and evolving best practices based on science and experience,” says Brendan Byrne, chair, GFO. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus and we thank them for their commitment to grain excellence.”

Grain farming in Ontario is responsible for more than $18 billion in contribution to the province’s economy and more than 75,000 jobs.

“This tremendous show of support from Grain Farmers of Ontario exhibits their commitment to future crop research results that will help drive our local, provincial, and global agri-food economy. Thank you to each of the 28,000 members of Grain Farmers of Ontario for this significant leadership gift. Your continued support to Ridgetown Campus exemplifies the work of our crop scientists and their contributions to high quality, safe, and sustainable food production,” says Brett Shepherd, director, Ridgetown Campus.

The new facility will provide a number of scientific labs equipped with the latest technology, to allow scientists to raise the bar on the types of crop research projects they will be able to complete. The new facility will also provide engaging training opportunities for agri-food students and other industry stakeholders to learn important practical skills they can apply to their farms and agribusinesses.

Currently, project leads are working hard to secure provincial support for this project, says the University of Guelph, with an estimated 80/20 funding model — an 80 per cent financial commitment from the province is a cornerstone, prior to project groundbreaking.

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