Mainstreaming Organic Research: Canada's New Organic Science Cluster

A. M. Hammermeister and R. C. Martin

Abstract
Organic research in Canada over the past few decades has been led by a relatively small group of researchers who’s dedication to finding ecological approaches to crop production has helped to build the credibility for the science and practice of organic agriculture. The fruit of these efforts has now been
recognized with the development of Canada’s new Organic Science Cluster (OSC).

Research priorities for this cluster were developed from consultation with farmers across Canada in all areas of organic production. The OSC has identified 10 sub-projects including 30 research activities that will be conducted by over 50 researchers plus 30 collaborators in approximately 45 research institutions. The OSC is part of the Canadian Agri-Science Clusters Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Growing Forward Policy Framework, with additional support from industry partners across Canada.

Activities of the OSC will include work in fruit horticulture, agronomy, cereal crop breeding, soil fertility management, vegetable production, greenhouse production, dairy production systems, parasite control in ruminants, environmental sustainability, and food processing. This research comes at a time when there is renewed emphasis on innovation, efficiency (energy, labour, economics), and capturing value-added markets. Most of this research directed toward organic agriculture can also be applied to conventional production systems, drawing interest to this cluster from producers across Canada.

Here an overview of the OSC will be provided, with examples of linkages between organic and conventional.

Source
Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the Canadian Society of Soil Science and the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Beyond Organics session. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 20-24 June 2010.

Author Locations and Affiliations
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O. Box
550, Truro NS B2N 5E3

Posted July 2010


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Research Extension Courses Consumers -------------------------- Virtual Tours Student & Job Opportunities News Articles Standards -------------------------- Market Information Events Issues Animal Welfare Strategic Plans -------------------------- Links Award-winners Site Map	Mainstreaming Organic Research: Canada's New Organic Science Cluster A. M. Hammermeister and R. C. Martin *Abstract* Organic research in Canada over the past few decades has been led by a relatively small group of researchers who’s dedication to finding ecological approaches to crop production has helped to build the credibility for the science and practice of organic agriculture. The fruit of these efforts has now been recognized with the development of Canada’s new Organic Science Cluster (OSC). Research priorities for this cluster were developed from consultation with farmers across Canada in all areas of organic production. The OSC has identified 10 sub-projects including 30 research activities that will be conducted by over 50 researchers plus 30 collaborators in approximately 45 research institutions. The OSC is part of the Canadian Agri-Science Clusters Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Growing Forward Policy Framework, with additional support from industry partners across Canada. Activities of the OSC will include work in fruit horticulture, agronomy, cereal crop breeding, soil fertility management, vegetable production, greenhouse production, dairy production systems, parasite control in ruminants, environmental sustainability, and food processing. This research comes at a time when there is renewed emphasis on innovation, efficiency (energy, labour, economics), and capturing value-added markets. Most of this research directed toward organic agriculture can also be applied to conventional production systems, drawing interest to this cluster from producers across Canada. Here an overview of the OSC will be provided, with examples of linkages between organic and conventional. Source Proceedings of the Joint Conference of the Canadian Society of Soil Science and the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Beyond Organics session. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. 20-24 June 2010. Author Locations and Affiliations Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O. Box 550, Truro NS B2N 5E3 Posted July 2010
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Mainstreaming Organic Research: Canada's New Organic Science Cluster

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