The Grain Farmers of Ontario has donated $2 million to the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
The main goal of the gift is to protect grain crops from costly plant diseases under climate change and other factors.
The funding will be used to create a new Grain Farmers of Ontario Professorship in Field Crop Pathology. The new faculty member will be appointed in 2023 in the Department of Plant Agriculture.
"This funding support from Grain Farmers of Ontario is significant for farmers and farms across Ontario," said Brett Shepherd, Ridgetown Campus director. "It’s critically important that we be proactive, not just reactive, in identifying and developing strategies against these pathogens."
The money comes from the Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Fund, which was established in 2022.
"Field crops are the foundation of every food system in the world, and ensuring a focus on excellence in field crop research is vital to farming and the food security enjoyed by Canadians," said Brendan Byrne, Grain Farmers of Ontario chair. "Grain Farmers of Ontario recognizes the need for this position and supports the University of Guelph’s ongoing commitment to understanding disease, crop resiliency and more."
Six million acres of grain crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, barley and oats, are grown by 28,000 farmers across Ontario.
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