The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair celebrates its 101st anniversary this year and the University of Guelph will return to engage visitors in its innovative research, bringing an educational perspective to the celebration of the very best food, livestock and horsemanship in Canada.
U of G’s exhibit at the fair, centered on the Future of Food, promises an interactive experience and opportunities to learn about careers in the agri-food sector. Attendees will engage with student ambassadors – U of G’s emerging leaders – to learn about One Health and its work connecting animal, human, land and plant health.
Visitors can learn about the ways U of G researchers are advancing vertical farming, climate resilience, biodiversity, soil health, food security, AI and technology and much more. Learn how researchers are using robotics to detect plant disease and developing new methods to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables using cold plasma.
“The University of Guelph is proud of our continuing relationship with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair,” said Dr. Rene Van Acker, interim vice-president (research). “The Royal is an ideal venue for showcasing how our cutting-edge researchers are transforming the future of food and agriculture, changing the way we grow, think about and consume food.”
U of G to host education symposium
As the presenting education sponsor, U of G faculty and researchers from the Ontario Agricultural College will lead discussions at the Education Symposium: The Future of Food, from Nov. 7-9.
In featuring scientific innovations and emerging technologies in STEM fields, the symposium will highlight how these developments impact society, solving real-world problems in food and farming.
Among the speakers will be:
- Dr. Rene van Acker, U of G interim vice-president (research), Dr. Asim Biswas, Ontario Agricultural College professor and Research Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture and MSc student Laura Hanley will discuss Canada’s Moonshot: using agri-food technology to drive the green economy, create jobs, ensure Canada’s global leadership and deliver a carbon neutral food system
- Dr. Christine Baes, animal biosciences professor will present a talk on cows and climate change connected with her research on breeding calves that emit less methane, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
- Paul Kelly will present an update on U of G’s Honey Bee Research Centre, speak to the health challenges honeybees face and how the centre’s research is addressing them
- Dr. Andreas Boecker of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics will discuss how food systems respond to demographic and climate change, and how research plays a central role in responding to these changes by adopting new technologies and changing management practices
- Food science PhD student Louis Colaruotolo will present a talk on designing and building longer-lasting food, exploring the tools scientists are using to gauge shelf life
- PhD student Navneet N. will showcase her research that aims to create better bean-based ingredients to produce clean, gluten-free, high-protein bakery products
Since 1922, the fair has attracted more than 300,000 visitors annually to what is now the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world.
This year’s fair takes place Nov. 3-12 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Contact:
Claire Alexander
Associate Director, Office of Ceremonies and Events
calexand@uoguelph.ca