Innovation at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre driving change for
Canadian horticulture

Industry-government collaboration leads to success in food, flowers and plant research

VINELAND, ON, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, opened the Vineland campus doors today to share latest science and innovation work with industry partners.

"Vineland is transforming leading edge research into innovations that will bring prosperity to the Canadian horticulture sector. Our industry partners expect this," said Dr. Brandle, Vineland's CEO. "Today's open house gives us an opportunity to showcase our results and to prove the value of innovative research in Canadian agriculture. A modern organizational model built on government, industry and science collaboration is absolutely necessary to achieve success."

Latest industry-driven research at Vineland includes:

    
    -   refining variety and growth requirements for world crop production
        locally;
    -   commercializing new peach, pear and plum varieties;
    -   developing drought tolerant plants for water conservation;
    -   analyzing local vs. organic consumer purchase patterns; and,
    -   investigating highway tree planting survival methods for a greener,
        healthier environment.
    

"With a start up in 2007, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is still a young organization. Yet we have already amassed an excellent team of researchers and business professionals who are working skillfully across the value chain to assess what is needed for a highly competitive sector," commented Donald Ziraldo, Vineland's Chair. "Vineland research partners such as Campbell Company of Canada and Longo's and Loblaw are showing us that if we want to be successful horticulture players on the global stage we have to be close to the consumer."

In order to build on these early successes, in 2011 Vineland will implement a major facility revitalization plan designed by Diamond + Schmitt Architects, modernizing facilities and creating new spaces. A capital campaign in support of the plan is chaired by Mark Cullen, well-known Canadian gardener and public figure.

About Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is an independent, not-for-profit organization that was created to be a world-class centre for horticultural science and innovation. In its capacity to enable and foster relationships with industry, academia and government, Vineland works to deliver premium product and production innovations. Vineland brings a global perspective to the Canadian horticulture industry and offers a broad range of lasting benefits to stakeholders both locally and internationally. Aligned with industry needs, Vineland's research priorities and outcomes are focused on the growth of the entire horticulture industry. Vineland is funded in part by Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

For further information: Isabel Dopta, Director, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, 905-562-0320, Ext. 791, [email protected], www.vinelandresearch.com