A new agreement between Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) and International Zeolite Corp. (IZ) aims to introduce a revolutionary new growing system to assist growers, boost food production, and create opportunities for students.

For NC’s Research & Innovation division, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IZ is the first of its kind and builds on several years of its work with one of its industry partners. HESIC has worked on 10 projects for IZ since May 2021.

“HESIC prides itself on creating strong, impactful research relationships like the one we have with International Zeolite Corp. At NC, we provide organizations with research solutions that help to evaluate innovations and move their products toward commercialization,” said Kimberley Cathline, HESIC Research Program Manager. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with IZ, and this new agreement will enable even more innovative research.”

NC has agreed to provide priority and support for research projects to IZ, through the new MOU. The projects are in relationship to IZ’s proprietary grow system NEREA® and will be conducted by HESIC, which will provide IZ with ongoing access to resources, staff, and space to support its research projects.

The College will work with IZ to explore prospective advanced manufacturing, business and commercialization projects and alignments, as opportunities may arise. NC also supported IZ in establishing a production facility in Niagara which is now operational.

IZ first turned to NC’s Research & Innovation division for research to support the use of zeolite, which is a mineral that’s mined for its water and nutrient holding capabilities, to help with growing when used as a soil amendment.

The proprietary way to embed all the nutrients necessary for plant growth right into the zeolite, a grow system branded as NEREA®, was developed by researchers in Cuba. While the Cuban studies demonstrated several benefits to the use of NEREA® including an increased crop – which means the time to harvest was significantly reduced compared to conventional methods and made for a better quality, larger plant that required significantly less fertilizer than conventional methods – the company turned to NC to help validate the Cuban findings.

“Niagara College is recognized as one of Canada’s top research college institutions. They are evaluating our NEREA® grow system, as well as providing us with recommended solutions supporting rapid adoption of our products and solutions by growers in the horticultural segment,” said Mark Pearlman, IZ President and Chief Operating Officer. “We have gained incredible competitive advantage through our partnership with HESIC. This group takes research and development and makes it practical, and we wouldn’t be where we are without the magic of this unique partnership.”

Pearlman believes that the new growing system can help growers increase yields and reduce their costs, as well as help reduce greenhouse gases.

“It’s been an absolutely incredible partnership with the College because we are able to collaborate with the College to validate our NEREA® grow system, learn from the College about growers and their approach to agriculture, and have a legitimate agricultural research and development group as a ‘branch’ of our team,” said Pearlman.

The partnership is a win for IZ as it hopes to validate a product to help growers produce more fruits and vegetables – and feed more people around the world.

With the MOU in place, IZ is ramping up and has just recently opened a pilot plant manufacturing facility in Niagara, with plans to commercialize and begin product development and production.

The project is also a win for NC as it opens doors to conduct important research and create new opportunities for students to gain experience on projects with real clients.

IZ is supporting the cost of employing a HESIC research associate and will have a stream of projects that open up opportunities for student involvement, as well as access to IZ’s pilot plant in Jordan where students will be able to learn more about production processes and engage closely with industry.

Alberto G. Hardt, who recently completed the Horticultural Technician (Co-op) program, has been working with HESIC since January 2022 and was recently hired as a Greenhouse Research Associate to work on IZ projects. Working on campus has allowed him to fill in gaps in his timetable by working when he wasn’t in class and gave him a chance to apply knowledge he learned in the classroom to real-world projects – and vice versa.

Graduating Horticultural Technician (Coop) student Alberto G Hardt was hired as a HESIC Research Associate to work on research projects for IZ.

What stands out to him is not only the work opportunity itself and the experience he is gaining but how his work is valued.

“Student opinions and suggestions are really taken into account when we have a challenging situation that needs a solution. The research leaders are really open to our ideas,” he said. “At first, I imagined that our work as part-time students would only be operational, following guidelines from research leaders on how to proceed with the experiments, but actually what happens is much more interesting, because we students participate in some of the meetings with IZ and feel that our opinions and suggestions are really heard and taken into account.

“I did not expect this level of appreciation for our work as student research assistants.”

Hardt, who graduated from university in Brazil before attending NC, chose his program with a focus on gaining employment in this in-demand field. The opportunity to work for HESIC was beyond his expectations.

“I didn’t imagine that my first job right after graduation would be so fulfilling,” he said. “I like the work environment, my co-workers, the facilities and especially the dynamic model we work in, where decisions are constantly being made, and we always need to stay in touch with the team to make sure we’re on the same page.”

He also sees it as a sign that his work has been well received.

“I was lucky, but I also believe I showed I was capable. I was invited to continue working on the team even before I graduated,” said Hardt, who will graduate at NC’s Spring Convocation ceremonies in mid-June. “I am very proud to state on my resume that I work on the Research & Innovation team at the number one research college in Ontario.”

Top photo: Christine George, Research Lead for HESIC, conducts trials for International Zeolite in the NC Teaching Greenhouse.

Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre specializes in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations and improvements. We have extensive experience in innovations that are close to commercialization. Our expertise includes assessing technologies, production practices, packaging, media and pots, pest, and disease control approaches and more.

Located at both the Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland campuses, the Centre works with faculty experts and students from several programs, including several programs, including Greenhouse Technician (Co-op), Horticultural Technician (Co-op), Commercial Cannabis Production, Commercial Beekeeping and Environmental Technician, to provide a wealth of knowledge to industry partners, giving them a competitive advance in researching solutions to provide a wealth of knowledge to industry partners, giving them a competitive advantage in researching solutions.

The Centre leverages the resources of the colleges 16,000 square-foot greenhouse, implementing IPM infrastructure; controlled-environment agriculture facility and specialized equipment dedicated to cannabis research; and licensed cannabis and hemp research growing facilities, including greenhouse, outdoor and controlled-environment.

NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division administers research funding support from various regional, provincial, and federal agencies. Students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers and assist industry partners with leaping forward in the marketplace. Students come from a variety of the College’s programs, such as the Commercial Cannabis Production Program, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Business Administration – Marketing, and Computer Programmer.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]

For the second year in a row, Niagara College Photonics Engineering Technician students were awarded the Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Photonics is the study of the physical science of light waves which explores the generation, detection and manipulation of light.

Students Harsha Gopi and Janvi Patel are among the four recipients of the $2,500 scholarships awarded on behalf of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Both students just completed their first year in the Photonics Engineering Technician program and will be returning to NC in the Fall term to continue their studies.

The scholarships support tuition and fees, textbooks, computer, or computer upgrade, and supplies and equipment needed for courses of instruction. Scholarship winners also receive a one-year complimentary SPIE Student Membership, which offers tools, workshops and network opportunities for professional growth, lifelong learning, and career advancement.

“On behalf of Niagara College, I’m pleased to congratulate Harsha and Janvi for receiving this international recognition and scholarship,” said Leo Tiberi, Dean, Media, Trades and Technology. “We are proud to see our Photonics Engineering Technician students apply the practical skills taught in our labs to reach academic achievements outside the classroom that will help advance their future careers as technicians.”

“SPIE congratulates the Eichenholz-SPIE Photonics Technician Scholarship winners,” said Kent Rochford, SPIE CEO. “With the optics and photonics industry’s rapid growth, there’s an increasing demand for skilled technicians. We very much appreciate Niagara College’s commitment to developing this critical workforce for the exciting jobs that await Harsha and Janvi.”

Both from India, Gopi and Patel hold a bachelor’s degree in physics and came to Niagara College in the Fall of 2022 to enhance their education in photonics.

Patel is especially proud to be studying in one of the only college-level programs in photonics technologies and manufacturing in Canada, allowing her to pursue her interests in photonics, nanoscience, and plasma physics.

“It gives me a sense of pride and honor to be a part of this unique program only offered at NC,” she said. “During my time at the College, my classmates and I have been provided with well-equipped labs and experienced professors who can demonstrate photonics through experimental setups.”

Similarly, Gopi feels the program’s integration of experiential learning has helped her grow as both a student and person by elevating her knowledge, confidence, and curiosity.

“I am gaining tons of hands-on experience that I know will adequately prepare me for the workplace,” said Gopi. “I can learn from professors who are well-experienced in the field and are always available to offer helpful support and guidance.”

Program Coordinator and Professor, Cristina Simionescu, encouraged both students to apply for the scholarship and guided them through the complex application process that required strong academic performance, a personal essay, and two references.

“Congratulations to Harsha and Janvi for being awarded this scholarship and thank you to SPIE for their unwavering support of our students,” said Simionescu. “Harsha and Janvi’s passion for photonics is inspiring, and this recognition will undoubtedly lead them to pursue excellence in everything they will do, not only professionally but also as supporters of the photonics community.”

“I am so grateful for Professor Simionescu and all my other professors in the program for motivating me and helping me through this process,” said Gopi. “Winning the scholarship was truly a proud moment for myself and taught me some important lessons: to believe in myself, to be grateful for all the opportunities I am receiving from this program and to uphold my eagerness to learn more.”

For Patel, winning the scholarship has given her a sense of achievement that serves as motivation to progress in her studies and career.

“I want to continue making my family and mentors proud,” she said. “Winning this scholarship has given me the motivation to work harder and toward achieving more accomplishments in the future.”

This scholarship program is made possible by the generous support of SPIE Fellow Jason Eichenholz. Eichenholz is a serial entrepreneur, executive, and recognized pioneer in laser and optics enabled innovation, product development, and commercialization.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

Good spirits abound at Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery, with three new medals from an international competition, and with the debut of five new craft spirits from the College’s Artisan Distilling Class of 2023 to graduate in June.

Competition wins

The NC Teaching Distillery won two silvers and a bronze at the 2023 U.S. Open Whisky and Spirits Championship. Silver medals were awarded for Spirits 101 Single Malt Whisky (Canadian Whisky category) and Spirits 101 Spiced Rum (Rum Spiced/ Flavoured category) while School Spirits Vodka (Vodka category) won bronze.

“Winning three international awards shows that our Teaching Distillery produces some of the best craft spirits in the world,” said Steve Gill, General Manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “We are so proud of our NC students who are involved with the making of all of our premium spirits, with instruction and guidance from our expert distillers and faculty.”

School Spirts Vodka and Single Malt Whisky are from the Teaching Distillery’s core line of spirits, made with student involvement, while Spiced Rum launched as a student capstone project.

“It’s tremendously rewarding when student projects garner international awards,” said Maija Saari, Associate Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, which includes NC’s School of Wine, Beer and Spirits. “The outcome speaks to the remarkable creativity the students bring to the professional distillers, who help them nurture the ideas to life. It is truly a collaborative and unique learning environment.”

Head Distiller David Dickson noted that winning awards is even more impressive when considering that most students begin the one-year Artisan Distilling program with little or no distilling experience.

“It feels like a validation of what we are teaching the students in the program and the Teaching Distillery, as well as the students’ capabilities for the future, when entering the workforce,” said Dickson.

Single Malt Whisky, first released in December 2022, was distilled by the second cohort of Artisan Distilling student (Class of 2020). The recipe for this staple spirit was created by Head Distiller David Dickson and each student in the program is involved with its production.

“Every class does the steps but there is variation in how the cuts are made and how the whole process goes – so each class will have an impact on the flavour profile,” said Dickson.

While they have an idea of what the spirit will be like before it goes into the barrel, Dickson noted that there is a “wait and see” element to the process, since the final product requires a three-year minimum aging period.

“We are immensely proud of how this Single Malt turned out. We can get an idea of what it will be like before it goes into barrel, but we still have to wait the minimum of three years to see if we were right,” said Dickson. “This was the first of its kind for our distillery which debuted when we were so young as a program.

“This spirit has a lot of beautiful, aged whisky notes despite only being in barrel for three years, and the ex-bourbon barrel has given it a nice finish with a touch of sweet smoky character.”

Spiced Rum was a student Capstone project from 2020. It was first released in December 2022. The “molasses forward” base rum and its spice blend were developed by a group of students in 2020 and, after the aging process, the recipe was adjusted by College distillers – based on the change of flavours over time in the cask. The Class of 2023 assisted with the final balance of flavours.

Lokesh Khismatrao, who graduated from Artisan Distilling in 2020 and was among students who worked on the Spiced Rum starting in 2019, said it feels good to hear that it won silver.

“It was a first project. We spent a lot of time working on recipes and development but winning the award feels like our hard work paid off,” said Khismatrao, who is currently Head Distiller at Tumbleweed Spirits distillery in British Columbia.

School Spirits Vodka, another staple spirit which debuted in 2019, has been distilled, filtered and bottled by students since the first cohort of the program.

‘This Vodka is one of the better ones I believe we have produced. From our grain spirit, we have taken this base up to 96.4% which takes out most of its flavours,” said Dickson. “Despite all that, there is a slight caramel note I get from it that makes it not just a plain vodka but gives it some dimension in a cocktail.”

Assistant Distiller Ian Bickle noted that while the Teaching Distillery’s focus is on education rather than winning medals, trickles down to benefiting students.

“I personally love the idea of having our spirits judged blind against some big player distilleries across North America,” said Bickle. “These medals show students that they can go out in the world and produce award-winning spirits.”

In 2022 the Teaching Distillery won two golds and a bronze at the U.S. Open. In 2021, it won a bronze.

The Teaching Distillery was listed among only a few winners from Canada in the U.S.-based competition when almost 100 winners in more than 30 spirit categories were announced in mid-April. View usopenwhiskey.com for competition details.

New student spirits

The NC Teaching Distillery is rolling out five new spirits created by NC’s Artisan Distilling Class of 2023.

The new releases include Mediterranean Vodka (with fresh lemon peel, picked basil and mint, coriander seed and a touch of fennel seed), Tanzanite Gin (a gin with butterfly pea flower, giving it its purple-blue colour), Class Amigos Agave (a tequila-style spirit), Fruit and Honey Fusion (a spirit using NC-made honey, from its Commercial Beekeeping program) and Eastern Hospitality (a rice-based grain spirit with inspiration from Japanese shochu).

The five new spirits were all student capstone projects which give Artisan Distilling students an opportunity to come up with ideas for new spirits for the Teaching Distillery and, once a number of projects are approved, work in small groups to produce them. The project is for two of their classes: a technical class where they produce the spirit, and a sales and marketing class.

By the time students complete the program, their capstone projects are bottled and hit the shelves available purchase while supplies last at NC’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre (located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus at 135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on the Lake) or online at ncteachingwinery.ca. Spirits are available in addition to a variety of student-made products from NC’s Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery.

Artisan Distilling student Disha Bhendwalis, who will graduate in June, is excited about the release of her group’s spirit, which they worked on from production to marketing, and is proud to see bottles of the product on the shelves.

“Mediterranean Vodka will always be close to my heart; we have worked really hard, and I feel so elated that it turned out to be really good. Everyone loved it; I got some really great reviews from people who tried it,” she said. “It’s a lifetime opportunity which I was lucky enough to get. Me and my team will always cherish our time together while making Mediterranean Vodka.”

She was also proud to hear that School Spirits Vodka, which she worked on, won silver at the U.S. Open.

“I’m honoured that I got a chance to become part of something important, as well as getting rewarded by such title on an international level, it’s sure going to help me in my career,” said Bhendwal who is already planning to further her studies in NC’s Beverage Business Management program.

NC’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility located at Niagara College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is home to NC ’s one-year Artisan Distilling graduate certificate program within NC’s School of Wine, Beer and Spirits.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

905-328-2532

[email protected]

If you drive by the museum in Welland, you might find yourself doing a double take.

On May 12, a set of replica doors were unveiled on the front of the Carnegie building – home to the former library built in 1923 – in honour of its 100^th anniversary.

The doors were designed and crafted by faculty and students in Niagara College’s School of Trades, with custom work by carpentry and welding experts based on the original blueprints.

Jeff Burch, MPP of Niagara Centre, cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of the new, made-at-NC doors to the Welland Museum. Burch is pictured with Greg D’Amico, Chair of the museum.

Their work was celebrated at the unveiling event, attended by Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, representatives from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Bonnie Fokkens, Councillor for the City of Welland, Julianne Brunet, CEO of the Welland Library, and Greg D’Amico, Chair of the Welland Museum. Members of the College’s Executive Team, faculty, and students also attended.

“The Museum is very impressed with the work done by Niagara College for the reconstructed doors. The building has now been restored to its original grand appeal,” said Chair D’Amico. “It has been such a bonus for us to work with Niagara College for this project and we look forward to a continued partnership with them.”

“Niagara College is passionate about and embedded in the communities we serve, and we are honoured to support the efforts of the Welland Museum to bring the history of our community to life,” said Jeff Murrell, Associate Dean of the School of Trades. “We are proud of the remarkable students and faculty in our School of Trades who lent their time and talents to this one-of-a-kind restoration project.”

Associate Dean of the School of Trades at NC, Jeff Murrell.

The collaborative project was led by Carpentry and Renovation professor Alexander Lukacs, lab technician Marco Giorgi, and a team of student volunteers – in partnership with Welding professors Brendan Ryan, Vic Barker and technologist Bob Lukacs – who devoted their time to this community project.

Lukacs – a professional carpenter-turned-educator with over 17 years’ experience – jumped at the chance to work on the doors which he described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” restoration project. He saw the potential for his students to have a unique learning opportunity to advance their skills, try out new techniques, and work with premium construction materials.

“It was an incredible experience to watch these students progress over two years and see them build their confidence on such a complex project,” said Lukacs. “Our students are the reason we are here; we cannot operate without them and so it is our duty to provide them the best education we can.”

Carpentry and Renovation Technician students Dongwoo Kang and Hyuk (Evan) Kim from South Korea, Patrick Silva from Hamilton, and Jose Antonio Sandoval Sanchez from Guatemala volunteered their time to work with Lukacs after class.

In addition to donating the material costs, the NC team devoted over 200 hours to the project. This included the artful construction of the frame from sapele wood, artisanal millwork to the trim, installation of shatterproof lexan glass, and custom welding work to create the mail slot, handles, and hinges.

Silva heard about the project from a friend in Lukacs’s class and was eager to get involved.

“This project reinvigorated my interest in historic restoration projects and more artistic work in fine carpentry,” Silva explained as he helped with laminating and milling the boards for the doors.

For Silva, the true value in the project was the one-on-one instruction and the chance to give back to a local organization.

“I’ve learned a lot from Alex in a short amount of time. It means a lot to us as students because we’ve had the chance to experience his expertise in a unique way,” said Silva. “Alex will sit down with you until you get it right, no matter how long it takes.”

In the welding lab, Ryan and the team took inspiration from old photos. They incorporated metal work and blacksmithing techniques to construct the mail slot, handles, and hinges from mild steel, aging the plates to create an antiqued, weathered look to fit the era of the building.

Ryan explained how the team used welding techniques to create the illusion that pieces were cast as they would have been at the time the doors were originally built. As a final step, the pieces were painted black.

While the mail slot and door are purely decorative, Ryan welcomed the chance to collaborate with colleagues, problem-solve, and apply skills – like scroll-making by hand – that he brings from industry.

“Every time we get together, we learn something from each other or from a different trade,” said Ryan. “We learn about ourselves through a challenge like this project, and those ‘aha’ moments when you make something work.”

Earlier in the Winter Term, the NC team designed and constructed three moveable display cabinets that are being used inside the Welland Museum. The cabinets were secured to a welded frame to ensure stability and have hidden wheels so the cabinets can function as movable walls. They were designed with a dark brown, American walnut frame to match the rustic building interior.

Kim and Kang applied skills from their second-year Architectural Millwork course to sand, glaze, spot-putty and spray paint the cabinets. Kim, who came to NC following time in the military back home, hopes to do renovation work. Kang has his sights on cabinet-making.

A truly made-at-NC project from design to construction to delivery, the doors have opened to a great community partnership and represent the impact that students have in our community.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

Brock University and the University of Windsor are the newest members of Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), a Niagara College-led consortium of academic research institutions supporting the research needs of greenhouse and related technology businesses through applied projects.

In 2019, the new network for research and technology in southern Ontario’s greenhouse sector was established with support from a $5-million Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

GTN is a consortium of research-focused centres that increases innovation capacity to grow the Ontario greenhouse industry. Members collaborate with greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario and solve challenges through applied research projects. The addition of Brock University and the University of Windsor to GTN now brings the total number of members in the network to five, including: Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, the Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility (CESRF) at the University of Guelph, and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

“Thanks to the investment by FedDev Ontario, we’ve been able to support greenhouse and technology industries in southern Ontario and allow students to gain experience in applied research projects,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Niagara College’s Vice-President, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Enterprises.

“As GTN grows, we’re thrilled to have Brock University and the University of Windsor join the network as members. With their unique capabilities, plus the offerings our other members have, we will be able to take on even more innovative projects to help move industry forward.”

Brock University

Brock University has existing relationships with greenhouse ecosystem stakeholders. Being a member of GTN will allow GTN to leverage the research capacity and assets of Brock University where more than 70 undergraduate programs, 50 graduate programs, and 600 faculty researchers in seven faculties offer breadth and depth of research opportunities and research facilities for industry partnerships, student training, and knowledge translation.

Brock’s Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute is a landmark facility aimed at making Niagara a research and innovation leader in bioagriculture, bioscience and chemical manufacturing sectors. Brock houses over 300 square-feet of sophisticated temperature and humidity-controlled research greenhouse and plant transformation facilities. Brock also has a national grapevine germplasm repository, a facility that maintains high-quality, virus-free plant materials and eliminates viruses and other pathogens of concern in grapevines. Finally, Brock includes strong expertise and research capacity in the areas of environmental sustainability, plant and fungi science, data science and analytics, the Internet of Things, environmental and biomechanical ergonomics, business, and operations management, and more.

“I am delighted that Brock University has joined the Greenhouse Technology Network. Brock’s expert researchers and state-of-the-art equipment, including phytotron and plant growth chambers, have enabled us to develop strong leadership in the agricultural sector, particularly through our research institutes,” said Tim Kenyon, Brock University, Vice-President, Research. “We look forward to contributing to, and learning from, our new partners. Our combined strengths will open new doors in the development, adoption, and implementation of technologies to support the greenhouse industry.”

The University of Windsor

Agriculture at the University of Windsor (AgUWin), enables collaborations between growers, retailers, and technology providers through access to unique research infrastructure, expertise, and resources. It supports the security of Canada’s food supply chain through the adoption of research and technology commercialization while growing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

In engineering, AgUWin supports development in energy systems, waste-water management, sustainable growing practices, sensors and electronics, robotics and automation, network and communications, supply chains and logistics, policy and governance, and sustainability and the circular economy.

Science focus areas include computer science (systems, AI, vision systems), water treatment and chemical analysis, analytical services and testing, integrated pest management (IPM) and integrative biology.

AgUWin will become a centre for commercialization of new technologies, knowledge mobilization, the development of strategic partnerships and innovative training opportunities that incorporates the entire agri/agri-tech ecosystem.

AgUWin has also partnered with Horteca, a joint venture between JEM Farms, a major greenhouse operator in Essex County, and Ecoation, a multi-national agriculture technology solutions provider headquartered in Essex County, to operationalize two acres of active research and development greenhouse space in Ruthven, Ontario into the AgUWin Innovation Greenhouse. This space will further support the research and development of commercially viable research and technology in a live environment and enable experiential learning opportunities for students.

“The University of Windsor is excited to join the Greenhouse Technology Network as we invest in new research, academic programs, and partnerships that will support the growing greenhouse industry in Windsor-Essex and across Canada,” said Chris Houser, PhD, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor.

Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN)

GTN helps greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario solve innovation challenges by:

• Growing connections across the greenhouse ecosystem and facilitating research collaborations;
• Solving challenges by linking businesses with subject matter experts;
• Giving greenhouse and related technology businesses in southern Ontario access to the best research expertise, equipment, facilities, and agile research project managers; and
• Leveraging funding to help businesses lower the risk of innovation.

Members of GTN have a wide range of expertise and capabilities that include:

• Optimizing production with technology;
• Value-added sustainability through technology; and
• Growing businesses using technology.

GTN will leverage over $9 million in cash, which involves $11.5 million in total projects costs directed at research and development. GTN will direct $1.35 million toward productivity improvements. Projects with GTN members will commercialize 65 products, services, and processes. These projects will support $7.6 million in sales resulting from innovations commercialized and create or license over 77 intellectual properties.

Business that have an innovation challenge or a project idea can contact their local institution or the GTN Project Manager Rita Sterne at [email protected] or 905-984-0486. Visit the GTN website for more details.

For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring FedDev Ontario’s pivotal projects, Southern Ontario Spotlight, and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division administers research funding support from various regional, provincial, and federal agencies. Students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers and assist industry partners with leaping forward in the marketplace. Students come from a variety of the College’s programs, such as the Commercial Cannabis Production Program, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology, Business Administration – Marketing, and Computer Programmer.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 9,500 students from over 80 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

 GTN quick facts

GTN was established in 2019, led by Niagara College in partnership with the University of Guelph, and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, with a $5-million contribution from FedDev Ontario. The network has now expanded its members to include Brock University and the University of Windsor.

• GTN is a network of research-focused centres that collaborate with small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to advance the development, adoption, and implementation of technologies to support the greenhouse industry.
• This network leverages researchers, faculty, students, and state-of-the-market facilities and equipment, together with funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario, to support greenhouse and related technology businesses.
• SMEs wanting to innovate but do not have the resources of time, knowledge/skills or finances to take them to the next level can de-risk their research and development by leveraging a 1:1 funding match on projects.

Media inquiries, contact:

Julie Greco

Niagara College, Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

Cathy Majtenyi

Brock University, Research Communications and Media Relations Specialist

Cell: 905-321-0566

[email protected]

Tom Schnekenburger

University of Windsor, Director, Research Partnerships

Cell: 519-984-1485

[email protected]