A Great Organic Day : $ 8,660,000 Invested in Organic Research

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz announced a funding of $6.5 million, matched by $2.2 million from industry partners to establish Canada’s Organic Science Cluster (OSC).

The funding, awarded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Growing Forward Program, is meant to support growth in the organic sector by strengthening the science behind organic agriculture in Canada.  

The Organic Federation of Canada is the applicant on behalf of the Canadian organic sector, but the OSC will be managed by the Organic Agriculture Center of Canada.

The OSC:

-          involves 80 lead and collaborating scientists, the longest standing and leading scientists in organic agriculture, who will be working alongside other scientists who are leaders in their respective disciplines;

-          will run until March 2013, spans the country with activities in nine provinces, engaging all major agricultural universities in Canada and enlisting the collaboration of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientists;

-          involves twenty industry partners, representing many aspects of the organic sector across the country, that will contribute $2.2 million in matching funds to support research activities;

-          includes 30 research activities

o   that will set the groundwork for significant improvements in phosphorus use efficiency in organic crop production,

o   lead organic into an era of low-till production without herbicides,

o   provide a landmark breakthrough in energy efficient organic greenhouse production,

o   develop effective systems for management of organic horticultural crops,

o   characterize the contribution of organic production to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,

o   establish benchmarks for animal health and welfare in dairying,

o   and address barriers in high value fruit production. 

The Organic Science Cluster will serve to strengthen the capacity and market for domestic organic production while supporting ecologically sound farming practices. 

Regular updates will be posted on OACC website.