News

Strip mall parking lots have never been renowned for their ability to entice passers-by to gather and mingle. But that has been changing in parts of Toronto in the last few years thanks to a University of Guelph-led project called plazaPOPS. 

The project has transformed barren parking lots in Toronto’s outer boroughs into inviting spaces where residents can sit and chat between shopping errands, or where entire neighbourhoods can gather for day-long community and cultural events. 

As climate change brings more insect pests to Canada’s farms and forests, a newly funded research and teaching chair at the University of Guelph is intended to help manage infestation threats to crops and trees.  

The new E. Alan (OAC ’60) and Jule A. Cameron Chair in Ecological Pest Management will be funded by a $3-million gift from Alan, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, and his wife, Jule.  

Their gift will support this new chair in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES) for an unlimited term.

The OAC Dean’s Office is pleased to welcome Boris Martin into the role of Experiential Learning Partnership and Educational Developer. He began in the role on October 31.

In this role, Boris will support the OAC flexible internship courses, developing and expanding existing and new experiential learning initiatives within OAC, and stewarding strong relationships with employers and community partners in the agriculture, environment, food and community development sectors. The role reports jointly to the OAC Dean’s Office and U of G’s Experiential Learning Hub.

What does the future of food look like?  

The University of Guelph will help answer that question and more as it takes part in the 100th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – the largest fair of its kind in the world. The event takes place Nov. 4-13 under the theme “A Century of Champions.” 

The fair will encourage its 300,000 visitors to discover and learn about all that is equestrian, agricultural, culinary and educational.  

Two research leaders have been appointed to chair positions within the Ontario Agricultural College to advance research programs focused on climate change adaption and resilience.

Dr. Asim Biswas, School of Environmental Sciences, has been appointed as the OAC Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture, and Dr. Angela Cánovas, Department of Animal Biosciences, has been appointed as the OAC Chair in Phenomics and Systems Biology.

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of William (Bill) Stammers on October 18, 2022. Bill received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1954 and M.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering in 1956 from the Ontario Agricultural College. He later returned to the newly formed University of Guelph to join the School of Engineering as a faculty member. He was a professor in the School from 1964-1988. 

As interest grows in the possible therapeutic effects of psilocybin — a key active compound in so-called “magic mushrooms”– University of Guelph plant science researchers are preparing to begin research into this promising field. 

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of Michael Trant (M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, 1976) on September 20, 2022. His obituary is available here.

It is with sympathy that we share the passing of Stephen Reynolds, a PhD student in the Department of Plant Agriculture, on September 21.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, Sept. 29 in Windsor. Condolences to Stephen’s family may be shared through an online memorial site. Campus flags will be lowered to half-mast on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Stephen’s honour.

The federal government will invest more than $1.1 million in 11 University of Guelph research projects, ranging from clean energy to food spoilage to Indigenous environmental health. 

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will fund the projects through its  John R. Evans Leaders Fund, which helps universities recruit and retain outstanding faculty and provides researchers with infrastructure required to become leaders in their fields.