Food at the Tipping Point: Ways Forward from a Food System in Crisis
Developing Organic Vegetables for a Changing Canadian Climate
Chris Thoreau and Aabir Dey talk us through what CANOVI is all about
Meet Weijia Wang, the new postdoc leading CANOVI
Developing Organic Vegetables for a Changing Canadian Climate
With the increase of temperatures and extreme weather events such as drought, flooding and heat waves, combined with the instability of organic seed availability and costs, it has become apparent that the food we grow needs to be adapted to the now rapidly changing climate. CANOVI, standing for Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement, was launched in 2018 by the UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, and FarmFolk CityFolk, as a participatory research project trialling organic vegetable varieties suitable for growth in the Canadian climate.
Farmer participants across Canada generate and share data, looking at traits that are important to both the economic and ecologic viability of a crop, such as heat tolerance, marketability, cold hardiness, flavour and yield. Researchers at UBC are also supporting plant breeding projects based on results from the trials.
This research has become particularly relevant since its inception as we’ve seen drastic environmental changes within just a few years. Developing local seed security and knowing which crops are resilient in unpredictable growing seasons will be key to maintaining our food system in times of crisis.
Check out these short videos to learn more and meet some of the people involved with CANOVI.
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By sandland on October 30, 2023
LFS 496 Student Profile: Rachel – Sole Food Street Farms Compost Specialist
Meet Rachel! The fantastic compost specialist who joined Sole Food Street Farms this season through the UBC Farm – Centre for Sustainable Food Systems career development placement.
Rachel built life in their boxes by conducting soil analysis and developing a new compost recipe using the farm’s Actium Composting Drum. When asked about their experience, Rachel shared:
“My tasks were similar day to day, but the soil was constantly changing, which was always exciting! I really loved opening the composting drum and seeing what had developed over the week. Otherwise, my favourite memories here were the simple ones: feeling the breeze on my skin while sampling in the fig and plum orchard, sticking a fork in the compost pile and watching the steam rise, and talking excitedly about new tomato varieties between rows.”
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By juliana cao on October 21, 2023
Applications open soon – UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture
September 21, 2023
Be part of the future of farming and food systems. Join the UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture!
Our Practicum program is a hands-on educational program providing students with a full growing season of experience. The six-month experiential learning program is designed for aspiring farmers, environmental educators, gardeners, and students interested in applying knowledge about sustainable agriculture and food systems.
The 2024 program runs from April 11 to October 19. UBC students are eligible to receive from six to nine credits. Non-students encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply is October 31st. Apply here.
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By juliana cao on October 12, 2023
Pumpkin Fest at the UBC Farm Saturday Market
Saturday, October 28 | 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Celebrate halloween at the market with Pumpkin Fest at the UBC Farm! A last hurrah for the changing seasons, a place to get your fill of fall bounty fruits and vegetables, and special pumpkin-y activities.
- Pumpkin carving contest, member deals day, local crafts, food and drink vendors and Farm tour!
- More than 30 different local vendors selling produce, fruit, meat, mushrooms, eggs, baked goods, beverages, sweet treats, alcohol, artisan goods, and more!
- Costumes encouraged
Pumpkin Carving Contest
How does it work?
- Bring your most creatively carved pumpkin to the market on Saturday Oct. 28th, between 9:30-10:30 a.m., and our market guests will vote for their favourite!
- The winner will be announced at 1:00 p.m. – please come to claim your prize, and take home your pumpkin! Any pumpkins left after 2:00 p.m. will be fed to our compost. If the winner cannot attend the announcement, we will contact you to pick up your prize at a future market date!
Prizes:
The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the market – this can be used at any vendor, including the UBC Farm!
Location
UBC Farm – 3461 Ross Drive
Road Closures
Please note that The Great Trek will be taking place at UBC this day. Expect some traffic delays along SW Marine Drive.
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By sandland on October 6, 2023
Meet “Dogxim,” the world’s first known dog-fox hybrid—and a genetic oddity
The first confirmed dog-fox hybrid, Dogxim. Photo credit: National Geographic
September 27, 2023
Botany professor Dr.Loren Reiseberg commented on this genetic oddity. “This is what one might expect to see in trees, but not vertebrates,” said CSFS Associate Loren Rieseberg. “It is like humans producing a viable hybrid with chimpanzees!”
“Data suggest hybridization has been much more common during the evolution of plants and animals than previously suspected, including between deeply divergent lineages,” Rieseberg notes.
Read the full article at National Geographic (subscription).
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By juliana cao on October 6, 2023
Apple Season at the UBC Farm Saturday Market
Apple Variety Tasting by Donation 11:00AM – Noon | Heritage Orchard Tour: 12:30 – 1:30PM | Register below
Visit the UBC Botanical Garden’s Apple Festival for their 32nd year, and celebrate with a second stop at the UBC Farm! Come explore our Heritage Apple Orchard on a guided UBC Farm tour, and try a selection of our 70 varieties of apples! Celebrate the changing seasons and get your fill of fall bounty fruits and vegetables alongside our Saturday Farmer’s Market.
Heritage Apple Orchard Tour @ 12:30pm (Free, space limited)
Heritage Apple Variety Tasting (By donation – register to secure your spot!)
U-pick pumpkin piles
Food and coffee trucks
More than 40 different local vendors selling produce, fruit, meat, mushrooms, chocolates, baked goods, beverages, houseplants, alcohol, artisan goods, community initiatives and more.
Apple Variety Tasting by Donation 11:00AM – Noon | Register below
Register here to secure your spot!
We are offering the variety tasting from our heritage apple orchard by donation. Space is limited – please register to secure your tasting.
Our apples are also available at the UBC Farm Market stand for purchase, but are subject to availability and may sell out!
Heritage Orchard Tour 12:30 – 130PM
The tour is free to drop-in, but space is limited to 30 adults
Learn all about the history of our Heritage Orchard, its role as resource for teaching and learning, and how a student research project brought it to life. A great outing for those interested in apple production and culture!
Location
UBC Farm – 3461 Ross Drive
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By sandland on October 5, 2023
Canada’s wildfires take devastating toll on wildlife.
A deer and a fawn are seen in a blackened forest in Canada’s Nova Scotia province, where forest fires used to be rare, on June 22, 2023 © Handout / Nova Scotia Government/AFP
October 4, 2023
Land and food systems researcher Dr. Matthew Mitchell said fumes from wildfires have acute or chronic effects on the health of wildlife.
“These fumes have acute or chronic effects on the health of wildlife, says Mitchell. “Young animals are often more susceptible to the effects of smoke, as are humans,” he adds, and “even marine animals like whales and dolphins are affected when they emerge to breathe.”
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