News Source: News 1130
March 11, 2021
“All the organic junk in your garden is still useful for the bees.” – David Zura
Dr. Risa Sargent, a professor at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, was recently interviewed about bees and gardening. She explains the rationale behind why it is not necessarily good to begin planting too soon.
Our first UBC Farm Market in 2001
It’s happening: we have reached our 20th anniversary here at the UBC Farm, and it’s also been 10 years since the creation of the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems! 🎉
As can be seen from our past photos, a lot has changed since then – see our History page for more info on our story and how we’ve evolved throughout the years.
Virtual celebrations launch on April 21st of 2021, and continue throughout the growing season. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for upcoming events and be sure to join us online!
News Source: Vancouver Sun, The Province, and CKNW
March 9, 2021
“When it comes to selling “ugly” produce, don’t beat around the bush.” – Siddhanth Mookerjee
Based on research conducted at the UBC Farm, a new Sauder study found that consumers are more likely to buy unattractive fruits and vegetables when they are labelled “ugly”. Study authors Siddhanth Mookerjee, a PhD student, Dr. Yann Cornil and Dr. JoAndrea Hoegg were interviewed.
Curious about why exactly people are more tempted to purchase food when it is classified as “ugly”? You’ve come to the right place, because there’s an article written just for that here by Vancouver Is Awesome!
News Source: The Star, Yahoo
March 2, 2021
“About two-thirds of B.C.’s food is imported, according to a 2020 report commissioned by Metro Vancouver. Most will have gone through some degree of processing facility that transforms raw ingredients into everything from canned beans to cuts of beef.” – Marc Fawcett-Atkinson
Dr. Hannah Wittman, CSFS Associate and professor at LFS and IRES, was quoted about how B.C. has lost dozens of processors in recent decades as consolidation and trade deals have encouraged companies to centralize processing in low-wage locations.
On Friday, April 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. PST, join Dr. Ivette Perfecto as she discusses the importance of integrating ecological, social, and political factors for generating a more holistic understanding of the risks of pandemics.
This will be framed in the context of the Pandemic Research for the People, a working group of the Agroecology and Rural Economics Research Corps. This working group consists of academics, farmers, activists, who collectively take action to develop a critical analysis as well as agroecological alternatives to achieve healthy landscapes for the environment and for the people.
This webinar is free with registration. Can’t attend the event live? Not a problem! This session will be recorded – register to receive the recording link.
The Diversified Agroecosystem Research Cluster is developing novel approaches to assess linked social and ecological outcomes of diversified agroecosystems. Uniquely positioned as a research excellence cluster based at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, cluster team members use ecological, social, economic and systems analysis perspectives to improve soil and water quality, minimize nutrient losses, protect biodiversity, and support climate resilience and food sovereignty.
The Diversified Agroecosystems Cluster has been renewed for the next 2 years. This is a major UBC grant hosted at the CSFS and is a collaboration with researchers across North America.
News Source: CTV, Vancouver is Awesome
February 24, 2021
“No, the tri-yote doesn’t need help.” – Brendan Kergin
News outlets featured a coyote spotted on UBC’s Vancouver campus and spoke with Dr. Kristen Walker, CSFS Associate and professor in UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
News Source: The Star
January 13, 2021
“We all learned how to recycle because of school campaigns. We then took that information home. We have a large school population, and food security education can help shape those minds.” – Amy Norgaard
The Star featured Amy Norgaard, an agrologist who works at CSFS Associate Dr. Sean Smukler’s lab (the Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes Lab at UBC). She talks about her work in teaching about sustainable soil management and assessing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.
News Source: Vancouver Sun, The Province
February 24, 2021
“Epidemiologists prefer studies of tens of thousands of cases and months of observation.” – Dr. Leonard Foster
Dr. Leonard Foster, CSFS Associate and head of UBC’s department of biochemistry and molecular biology, says that while there hasn’t been enough time to build strong data on variants, it can still be useful to be aware of the hints contained in early research.
Warren Wong, a PhD student in Dr. Juli Carrillo’s lab and CSFS student member, won the BRC Photo Competition’s Community Choice Award. His photograph is of a parasitoid (spotted wing drosophila) inside a raspberry.
The image is shown to the left of this text, as well as in this link for better resolution. Congratulations, Warren!