Since its inception in 2014, the Trent Research Farm has provided leadership in this area by training future small-scale, sustainable farmers, contributing to local food security, and serving as a model of how agriculture can positively interface with natural features.
“The Trent Research Farm includes innovative climate-smart approaches aimed to decrease greenhouse gases and maximize efficient use of nutrient and water resources,” said Dr Karen Thompson, an associate professor within Trent School of the Environment and program coordinator of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems.
For more than 55 years, Trent University has hosted a climate station, which was recently (2023) relocated to the Trent Research Farm site. In partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Trent Climate Station collects a full suite of measurements including air and soil temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and solar radiation.
A lot of change and growth is underway at the new location off Pioneer Road. With the Trent Research Farm spotlighted in the Office of Research and Innovation’s Strategic Research Plan, an important first step in establishing the new location as a research centre has been to name its inaugural director as Dr Karen Thompson.
"This is an exciting time for the Trent Research Farm,” says Prof Thompson. “We're laying the groundwork for Trent University to become a leader in sustainable agriculture innovation and community-focused research. With a strong governance board and a clear vision, we're cultivating the next generation of researchers, farmers, and community leaders."
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