Horticultural and environmental research and education will have a new place to flourish in Niagara.
Niagara College has broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse, which will plant the seeds for more innovation to benefit students and industry.
“It is an exciting time for Niagara College as we break ground on a new, cutting-edge greenhouse that will support advancements in applied research and new, hands-on student learning opportunities,” said President Sean Kennedy.
The site of the future greenhouse was recently fenced off behind the existing Teaching Greenhouse at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and construction will soon be underway, scheduled for completion by March 31, 2024.
The new greenhouse will be a hub for the College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC), which aims to meet growing demands for applied research services from industry and together, with the existing Teaching Greenhouse, will provide an expanded learning environment and new opportunities for students in NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture.
One of four research and innovation centres within NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division, HESIC specializes in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations and improvements. Currently, HESIC utilizes space within the NC Teaching Greenhouse, which is primarily used for academic purposes. HESIC offers extensive experience in innovations that are close to commercialization, including assessing technologies, production practices, packaging, media and pots, pest and disease control approaches, and more.
“The new greenhouse is a testament to the Niagara College spirit of innovation,” said Mishka Balsom, Chair of the Board of Governors. “The new facility will increase capacity for the College to meet the strong industry demand for horticultural research while providing new real-world learning opportunities for students.”
“I am very pleased that this incredibly important project will become a reality,” said John F.T. Scott, who served as chair of NC’s Board of Governors from 2017-2020, and oversaw the initial conception of the project. “This new facility will significantly enhance Niagara College’s capacity for horticultural education and research which will further solidify its position as a key driver of innovation and growth in one of Niagara’s core industries and Ontario’s key economic sectors.”
One of four Innovation Centres within NC’s award-wining R&I division, HESIC specializes in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations and improvements. HESIC has HESIC offers extensive experience in evaluating horticultural innovations that are close to commercialization, including assessing various technologies, production practices, packaging, media and pots, pest and disease control approaches and more.