The University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus has received $6.5 million from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs toward construction of a new field crop services building.

Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, made the announcement today at Ridgetown Campus.

Funded through the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO),  the investment will support the building of a 12,000-square-foot facility intended to modernize crop research on campus and provide students with a cutting-edge space to conduct research and learn from industry experts.

Construction is under way for completion by spring 2022.

“As Canada’s food university, the University of Guelph is committed to providing Ontario’s farmers with world-class research and on-farm solutions that promote crop health and productivity,” said Malcolm Campbell, vice-president (research). “Investments in infrastructure ensure researchers have the tools they need to make profoundly important discoveries that fuel innovation and that ensure crop production remains economically competitive and a mainstay of safe, dependable, sustainable and nutritious food.”

The new building will bring existing crop sample receiving, processing and storage facilities under one roof.

“Building a new home for agronomy at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph is part of our strategy to modernize our current research network,” said Ernie Hardeman, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. “Investments in agri-food research infrastructure contribute greatly to the sustainability, protection and viability of the Ontario food supply.”

ARIO chair Lorne Hepworth said, “We are proud to work with U of G to modernize field crops research infrastructure at Ridgetown Campus to enhance the competitiveness, prosperity and sustainability of Ontario’s agricultural and food sectors and rural communities.”