Year-round blueberry production funded
Researchers at Kwantlen Polytechnic University who are studying how to sustainably grow berries out of season in Canada recently received a $1 million contribution from the Weston Family Foundation.
A proposal from the Institute for Sustainable Horticulture at the university has advanced to the Shepherd Phase of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge.
Researchers now have 18 months to develop and demonstrate a small-scale proof of concept to create and deliver a market-ready system to reliably, sustainably and competitively produce berries out of season in Canada.
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The proposal is to grow strawberries and blackberries inside high-tech greenhouses in a pesticide-free, carbon-neutral environment with support from industry collaborators and Simon Fraser University researchers.
Researchers have outfitted a greenhouse compartment with a combination of cutting-edge technology focused on plant health and clean energy to create a prototype suitable for widescale rollout across Canada.
Sensors and robotic technologies driven by artificial intelligence will control the growing environment while monitoring for pests and diseases, which will be treated with non-chemical solutions. Clean energy will be harvested and stored between seasons, waste heat will be recovered and carbon dioxide will be extracted from the air to enrich the plant environment.
KPU researchers are among 11 teams advancing their projects for the Homegrown Innovation Challenge, a six-year, $33 million competition that will ultimately allow four teams to develop and scale their idea.
The scaling phase is scheduled to begin in 2025, when up to $5 million will be awarded to each of the top four teams over three years to scale and demonstrate a market-ready solution. By 2028, the Homegrown Innovation Challenge will award two $1 million prizes: an overall winner and a breakthrough technology winner.
Community groups receive donations
Lallemand Plant Care recently announced the Alberta and Saskatchewan winners in its Hometown Roots Family Contest.
Kache Miller of Milk River was named the Alberta winner and selected the Milk River Ridge School to receive a $5,000 donation.
In Saskatchewan, Brendan Kuntz of Leader selected the Pumpkin Growers, which organizes an annual pumpkin contest to raise money for the community.
Pulse growers seek advisers
Alberta Pulse Growers is looking for producers willing to let their names stand for election as an adviser at their zone meeting this fall.
A team of advisers leads extension activities specific to each of organization’s five zones. Directors on the group’s provincial board often serve as advisers first.
Positions are available in:
- Zone 1 — one position, Dec. 5 meeting in Taber
- Zone 2 — one position, Nov. 8 meeting in Red Deer
- Zone 3 — four positions, Nov. 14 meeting in Westlock
- Zone 4 — six positions, Nov. 28 meeting in Grande Prairie
- Zone 5 — two positions, Nov. 16 meeting in Vegreville
Producers must have sold pulses and paid service charges since Aug. 1, 2021, to be eligible.
Those interested in running should submit a nomination form, available at www.albertapulse.com, by Nov. 7. Candidates must be endorsed by another pulse producer from their zone.
