Dr. Jim Brandle Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Happy dollars from Andy for his fly fishing experience; Lori for taking her parents to Vancouver on the train and then driving the California coast from San Francisco to Carmel; and Wayne for dry walling his daughter's house. Also today is Wayne's birthday!
The Dundas Valley School of Art is holding a fundraiser on October 24 and Kathy, Sharon, Mary-Lou and Roisin are taking part as photographers. You can sponsor them if you want. Also, please pick up a new application for your police check. The one given out previously is out of date.
Our guest speaker this morning was Jim Brandle, CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre at exit 57 on the QEW in Niagara. The centre is an independent not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance horticultural research and innovation to support a healthy future. Horticulture in Ontario is a $2.1 billion business made up of 29% field vegetables, 24% greenhouse flowers, 19% greenhouse vegetables, 11% nursery and sod, 9% fruit, 7% mushrooms and 1% honey and syrup. Jim commented that half of the nation's mushroom supply comes from Ontario.
Vineland works with stakeholders across the horticultural value chain from grower to distributer and retailer to the consumer. Its intent is to link science and business and connect research with innovation to improve food supply and distribution through techology.
Although this all sounds pretty technical, Jim gave a spirited and interesting presentation and had us thinking about the importance, to our food supply, of production, marketing and genomics.
An extra piece of information that was in Jim's handout indicated that the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has facilities to host conferences and meetings.