College gifted $700K for greenhouse projects
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/10/2024 (390 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Assiniboine College is expanding its greenhouse facilities and its Greenhouse in a Box research project after receiving a $700,000 donation from the RBC Foundation towards the Prairie Innovation Centre last week.
According to the college’s website, the Greenhouse in a Box is a transportable greenhouse developed after eight years of study.
It’s designed to help extend the growing season from May to September to February to December, especially in parts of Canada where climate, land restrictions or availability of sunlight make it difficult to grow crops.
It has a vertical growing wall, an irrigation system, water reservoirs, a water pump, lights and a solar energy system among other features. Currently, the college is running a year-long trial with a prototype model starting this year and running into next year.
“Once the trial is complete, the intention is to move forward and offer our Greenhouse in a Box — so aptly named as all building material and equipment will come ready to assemble — to individuals, communities, and organizations,” the college’s website said.
A release issued last week also said the greenhouse expansion at the North Hill campus will help join the grow plots, orchard and weed identification garden together to help launch new programs.
Acting dean and chair of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment, Chris Budiwski, said in the release that donations like these help the college develop solutions to sustainability and food security issues that are critical to the future of the industry.
“We appreciate the RBC Foundation’s support towards this environmental sustainability project,” Budiwski said. “This collaboration is important to the Edwards School, which aims to provide students with real-world experience through industry-driven applied research projects and support them to graduate with the skills needed to support a low-emissions economy.”
RBC regional vice-president Tracey Schofield said the donation supports her company’s desire to help with a transition towards a net-zero economy.
“We know that the pursuit of sustainable agriculture is collaborative, and we’re pleased to support Assiniboine College in this space,” Schofield said.
“We’re delighted to announce a $700,000 donation from RBC Foundation to support Assiniboine College’s Greenhouse in a Box initiative and increased training opportunities for horticultural students.”
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