Vineland releases inaugural impact report

Canada: Economic importance of the Canadian horticulture industry is paramount

As Vineland Research and Innovation Centre approaches its tenth anniversary, it’s the right time to talk about progress.

In 2007, Vineland was a new concept, an independent research organization set up with a focus on creating impact for the Canadian horticulture sector. Impact in this context means acres in the field, shelf space in the grocery store. It means profitable farms and greenhouses, exports, new businesses, jobs and environmental gains.

With $5.3 billion in farm gate sales alone, the economic importance of the Canadian horticulture industry is remarkable. It also brings us the fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants essential to a healthy and vibrant lifestyle. In a global marketplace, Vineland needs to ensure the Canadian horticulture sector remains prosperous and sustainable to safeguard this lifestyle for generations to come. Innovation can help do that.

Today Vineland’s most obvious achievement has been rebuilding the centre into a thriving hub of horticultural research. Almost 100 full-time staff have been added, abandoned laboratories have been renovated and outfitted with the latest scientific equipment and our new pre-commercial greenhouse is full to capacity. This in itself is good news for the horticulture sector but what they are most excited about is the impact Vineland’s work is generating. Horticultural research timelines can be long and commercialization challenging. As Vineland has grown, they have refined their approach and developed innovative processes to keep the impact of research and innovation front and centre. The effort and the investment are beginning to pay off.

Click here to download the impact report.

Publication date: Wed 2 Nov 2016