Members of the agricultural community have the opportunity to tour the Lethbridge College Research Farm during the second annual Farm Field Day on the morning of Tuesday, July 11. Attendees can tour the farm, meet with researchers and learn more about how the college’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) is meeting industry needs.
“Our researchers work directly with agri-businesses, farmers, food processors and industry groups to define and improve best management practices, diversify our economy and strive for a sustainable future,” says Megan Shapka, Director, Applied Research Operations. “We continue to be recognized as a leading applied research college, and we invite anyone involved in the ag industry to see how we are growing, what research we have underway, and what potential opportunities we could collaborate on.”
The Farm Field Day half-day tour of the college’s 385-acre research farm is open to anyone who works in the agriculture industry. Participants will tour the farm and hear from researchers with the college’s Mueller Irrigation Group and Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre.
Dr. Willemijn Appels, senior research chair for the Mueller Irrigation Group, will discuss her team’s latest research on irrigation science and hydrology. Dr. Chandra Singh, senior research chair in the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre, will discuss his team’s work on using emerging technology to create efficiencies in drying, storing and processing commodity and specialty crops.
In addition to the experts from Lethbridge College, researchers from Olds College, Lakeland College, and the University of Lethbridge will also be at Farm Field Day to share relevant and timely research findings. This type of collaboration is supported by other recent initiatives, such as Lethbridge College joining the Pan Canadian Smart Farm Network, a collective group of smart farms supporting emerging opportunities in Canada’s agriculture sector.
Farm Field Day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, at the Lethbridge College Research Farm, located just east of Lethbridge. The event is free, but registration is required.