Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
April 10, 2001
U of G Prof, Federal Agriculture Minister to speak in Deseronto public school about space research program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief and University
of Guelph plant agriculture professor Mike Dixon will talk to students
at Deseronto Public School, Wed., April 11 about the Tomatosphere
project.
Last November, 200,000 Heinz tomato seeds flew aboard the
Space Shuttle Endeavour with Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau. The
tomato seeds have since sprouted here on Earth. Space seeds and
Earth seeds are being distributed to 3,000 classrooms across Canada
to study germination and seedling vigour.
The project is part of Dixon’s Space and Advanced Life Support
Agriculture program at the University of Guelph. The multi-million-
dollar program draws together some 60 faculty, staff and students
researching plant-based life support systems for future space
exploration. Dixon’s partners include NASA, the European Space
Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
Vanclief and Dixon will be guests at a school assembly to answer
students’ questions about growing their tomato plants, as well as to
discuss the future of food and agriculture.
WHEN:
April 11, 2001 - 9:15 a.m.
WHERE:
Deseronto Public School
385 Stanley Ave.
Deseronto, Ont.
For more information, media may contact
Vern Greenshields, press secretary, Minister Vanclief’s office,
(613) 759-1020;
Prof. Mike Dixon,
519-824-4120, Ext. 2555;
or Alex Wooley, manager, media relations, University of Guelph,
519-824-4120, Ext. 6982.
For media questions, contact:
Communications and Public Affairs,
519-824-4120, Ext. 3338.
