March 2024

A collaboration between OMAFRA and the University of Guelph

Stories of the Alliance people, places and programs generating impact in the agri-food sector in Ontario and around the world. 

In this issue:

• 2024 KTT Symposium
• A sustainable food future
• Skills for Research Impact advanced sessions
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

Tuesday, April 30 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hybrid Event | U of G Arboretum and Zoom

The annual Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) Symposium, led by the University of Guelph (U of G) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is back in spring 2024 with a focus on building skills for the future of KTT in agri-food.

This symposium brings together participants from government, academia, industry and local communities to support networking and capacity development in the agri-food KTT community, and to learn more about KTT projects funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

Join us on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in person at the U of G Arboretum Centre Auditorium or online to:

• Learn about the power and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for KTT in the agri-food space and how AI can elevate our work
• Build practical skills for using AI in your own KTT work
• Hear from Alliance-funded researchers about effective and innovative KTT for the future
• Network with colleagues from across government, academia and industry who are working to enhance outcomes in the agri-food sector through innovative KTT strategies

An Alliance Special Initiatives project led by Dr. Silvia Sarapura, professor in U of G's Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), aims to improve food security among First Nations communities in northern Ontario. 

Her project is featured in a story about OAC researchers and graduates working to enhance food security in three key areas: Indigenous food sovereignty; food production in controlled environments, notably vertical farming; and food safety under climate change. 

This story is part one of a series exploring how OAC creates a more efficient, prosperous and sustainable global agriculture and food system.

Enhance the impact of your research with the winter Skills for Research Impact workshop series advanced sessions!

NEW hybrid advanced session:

TODAY! March 5: Creating Fact Sheets and Policy Briefs

March 12: Accessible Knowledge Products

For more information, email kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.

A selection of Alliance people, places and programs cited in popular and trade media.

U of G names new Research Leadership Chairs (Feb. 27, U of G News)

Congratulations to all recipients, including Alliance-funded researchers whose work has contributed to the research and innovation needs of today's agri-food sector.

Advanced bean production, capacity the goal of new funding to U of G (Feb. 20, U of G News)

Growing dry beans more efficiently and sustainably is the goal of a new gift from the Ontario Bean Growers (OBG) to the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). 

Including these gifts from OBG and an anonymous donor, a total of $2 million will help support the OBG Assistant Professorship in Weed Sciences faculty position at U of G’s Ridgetown Campus.

Why vets aren't going north (Feb. 20, RealAgriculture.com)

Listen to Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Sara Epp discuss survey findings on why vets aren't going north.

Addition of fibre provides balance in diets of developing gilts (Feb. 19, Farms.com)

Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Lee-Anne Huber discusses research aimed at improving the mammary development of gilts.

New event teaches farmers how to be In The Know when managing mental health (Feb. 15, Guelph Today)

In the Know was originally developed at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College with Alliance support. It continues to educate the agricultural community via this free, online event.

Addressing mental health in agriculture: 'It's OK to not be OK' (Feb. 15, Northern Ontario Business)

Mental wellness resources discussed during the 2024 Northern Ontario Ag Conference include the Alliance-funded In the Know program. 

Northern-centric solutions needed to address vet shortage: researcher (Feb. 13, SooToday)

In 2020, Dr. Sara Epp received Alliance funding for a multi-year study of the veterinarian shortage in Northern Ontario. On Feb. 12, she presented her findings in Sudbury during the 2024 Northern Ontario Conference, taking place over two days at Science North.

Record-setting U of G scholarships to address labour shortages in agri-food sector (Feb. 13, U of G News)

Thanks to a $2-million gift from U of G alumnus Andy Wilder (BSc Agr. ‘84), three new scholarships have been created to attract top Canadian and international students to the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) to pursue a career in the Canadian agri-food sector.  

U of G students demonstrate plant-growth chamber for Canadian Space Agency (Feb. 8, U of G News)

The U of G Canada GOOSE (Growth Options for Outer Space Environments) team is made up of students and staff from the Ontario Agricultural College with members from the Interdisciplinary Design Lab, College of Arts and their external partner from Noki Farms (Guelph).

Building soil health over time (February, Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine)

A Soils at Guelph researcher discusses long-term trials continuing at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Ridgetown.

Comments? Feedback? Events or content to include? Email kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.

This newsletter is produced by the University's Office of Research. The views expressed are the views of the University and do not necessarily reflect those of OMAFRA. Questions regarding the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Agreement can be addressed to omafrago@uoguelph.ca.