Ontario’s Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has tapped horticulture experts worldwide for a new science advisory committee to help co-ordinate its research on horticulture and ornamental crops.
The non-profit Niagara-region centre, in the midst of reworking itself as an international hub for horticultural research, said Wednesday that its new committee is now holding its first meeting, expected to run through Thursday.
The committee will advise Vineland’s board and CEO on a research vision and direction for
the centre, and will “reflect on emerging trends and opportunities for
Read Also
Alberta Crop Report: Rains in the south, dryness in the north
Rain fell onto the southern half of Alberta last week, while hot and dry conditions persisted in the northern half, according to the province’s crop report released on July 18.
suggestions based on experience in private not-for-profit research and
potential linkages, and explore the role of biotechnology and genomics in
horticulture, the value of a health and wellness focus, and the role of
consumer impact on horticultural products.”
The centre is credited with developing over 150 new varieties of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants, as well as production techniques and post-harvest technologies.
The committee’s depth of expertise will ensure “that Vineland’s programs will deliver a
range of lasting benefits for the industry, not only for the Niagara
Peninsula, but also on a national and global scale,” said Vineland board chair Donald Ziraldo in a release.
Science committee members include Karel Bolckmans of Dutch crop protection firm Koppert; Brock University biologist Vince DeLuca; University of Guelph environmental biologist Mike Dixon; Ian Ferguson of HortResearch (New Zealand); horticulture professor Rina Kamenetsky of Israel’s Volcani Center; research director Matt Kramer of Chicacgo’s Ball Horticultural Co.; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada geneticist Brian Miki; Geoff Scollary of Australia’s National Wine and Grape Industry
Centre; research scientist Clément Vigneault of AAFC’s Horticulture Research and Development Centre at, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., and plant scientist Roger Wyse of Burrill and Co., a U.S. life sciences merchant bank.
The science committee is the second of three Vineland plans to establish. It announced a stakeholder advisory committee last week.
