A new research laboratory at Trent University that supports the development of sustainable agricultural systems received a significant $100,000 funding boost on January 8 as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced the lab as one of over 250 facilities in 37 universities across Canada to receive funding under the John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
The Innovative Sustainable Agriculture Laboratory is the brainchild of Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture at Trent University. The lab’s infrastructure determines principles and practices that support the development of sustainable agricultural systems with emphasis placed on multi-disciplinary research to understand fundamental agro-ecological processes underlying the functioning of sustainable food production systems.
“Meeting the food demand of a global population will require major changes in agricultural production systems,” said Professor Sharifi. “This lab will help to achieve the goal of moving toward more sustainable production systems by studying the efficient use of ecological processes in agriculture production systems. The research will be focused on studying nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics and assessment in agroecosystems, improving management of organic amendments, and adaption of cover crop for different cropping systems.”
Prof. Sharifi’s research program focuses on use of ecological process for management of nutrients within the agroecosystem to improve yield, yield quality, and environmental sustainability. This innovative research program will place at Trent University and will be on par with leading international sustainable agriculture research centres. The proposed combination of fundamental and applied research will be further strengthened by the establishment of the new analytical laboratory at Trent University dedicated to sustainable agriculture research. The new sustainable agriculture laboratory will also enhance hands-on training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at Trent University and advance practical knowledge in the developing Sustainable Agriculture program.
Speaking of the $63-million CFI investment announcement, The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology), said: “Our government believes significant investments made in Canadian research are essential to sparking innovation, economic prosperity and to improving the lives of Canadians. Supporting Canada’s universities, colleges and research hospitals will bring more innovative ideas to market and strengthen the economy of our country.”
About Dr. Mehdi Sharifi
As a Canada Research Chair, Prof. Sharifi is a recognized expert in the study of nutrient cycling in agro-ecosystems. His research interests are nutrient dynamics in soil, soil and plant testing, cover crops and organic amendments management under broad theme of Sustainable Agriculture. Prior to moving to Ontario and Trent University, he held the Nutrient Management Research Chair position at Nova Scotia Agricultural College (currently faculty of agriculture at Dalhousie University). Previous to that, Prof. Sharifi held the position of postdoctoral fellow at the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Prof. Sharifi is also currently the coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture program at Trent and the associate editor of the Horticultural crops section at the Canadian Journal of Plant Science.
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
The Canada Foundation for Innovation gives researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI is helping to attract and retain the world’s top talent, to train the next generation of researchers, to support private-sector innovation and to create high-quality jobs that strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life for all Canadians. For more information, visit Innovation.ca.
Dr. Mehdi Sharifi, assistant professor, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Agriculture, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 ext. 7954 or mehdisharifi@trentu.ca