Researchers at Bishop’s University and University de Sherbrooke collaborate to grow CANberries

Sherbrooke, April 19th, 2024 – Dr. Mirella Aoun, from the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Geography and Dr. Sébastien Poncet of the Faculté de Génie de l’Université de Sherbrooke are collaborating to develop a method to extend the growing season of raspberries to meet demand regardless of climate conditions.

The research team from Bishop’s University and Université de Sherbrooke are benefiting from a $1M research grant through the Shepherd Phase of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge through the Weston Family Foundation. Should their work prove successful, the team can apply for an additional $5 million through the upcoming Scale Phase, which would allow the project to grow in scale through an additional $5 million in funding.

“At the heart of this competition lies the belief that the fusion of collaboration and broad expertise is the key to solving complex challenges in agriculture,” said Garfield Mitchell, Chair of the Weston Family Foundation. “Our grantees bring out-of-the-box, yet achievable, ideas to the table, and we are excited to see the innovations that arise from their shared passion and collaboration.”

Making raspberries grow outside their normal season will require Dr. Aoun’s extensive expertise in preconditioning and berry plant types and varieties to stagger production and techniques to “trick” the plants into “believing” it’s time to produce berries.

“By capitalizing on the symbiotic relationship between research and teaching, and by leveraging our relationships within Bishop’s and the community, our researchers do world-class work in fields as diverse as astrophysics, digital indigeneity, and youth generativity”, indicates Dr. Kerry Hull, Dean of Sciences and Mathematics and Associate Vice-Principal Research at Bishop’s University.  “The CANberries project is a perfect example of this principle.   Thanks to the support of the Weston Family Foundation and the tireless work of Dr. Aoun, Bishop’s faculty, staff and students will be able to work alongside colleagues from the University of Sherbrooke to address the critical issue of food security.”

In collaboration with Dr. Leyla Amiri, Assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department and Mr. Jean-François Lerat, Research and Development expert, Dr. Poncet will integrate Agrivoltaic and air technologies into a solar passive greenhouse (AARG) to control air, light, heat, and electric input management, as well as water treatment and irrigation to compensate for Canada’s low light and cold temperatures outside of natural berry production season.

If the researchers are successful, it could mean that raspberries could be produced sustainably to meet demand in Canada outside of the typical growing season, whether in urban or remote environments, and decrease reliance on imports.

ABOUT CANBERRIES

CANberries is one of eleven projects funded by the Weston Family Foundation, as part of the Homegrown Innovation Challenge. Now entering the second phase of the Challenge, eleven Canadian teams have been awarded $1 million each to develop their bold ideas for extending the growing season of berries. Each team only has 18 months to build and test its proof-of-concept ideas before the next phase of the Challenge, which will see this group of eleven reduced to four teams. Learn more about the CANberries project here.

ABOUT THE HOMEGROWN INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Delivered over six years, the $33 million Homegrown Innovation Challenge supports the development of tools and technologies to enable Canadian farmers and producers to grow berries out of season – sustainably and competitively. We believe that by accomplishing out-of-season berry production, we can unlock solutions for myriad other fruits and vegetables.

ABOUT THE WESTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

At the Weston Family Foundation (formerly The W. Garfield Weston Foundation), more than 60 years of philanthropy has taught us that there is a relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy people. That is why we champion world-class health research and innovation with the same passion that we support initiatives to protect and restore biodiversity on Canada’s unique landscapes. We take a collaborative approach to philanthropy, working alongside forward-thinking partners to advance Canada and create lasting impacts. We aspire to do more than provide funding; we want to enable others to find transformational ways to improve the well-being of Canadians.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sonia Patenaude

Communications Manager – Bishop’s University

819-342-2587 | sonia.patenaude@ubishops.ca