Lead Researcher: Loren Rieseberg
Organization/Lab: Rieseberg Lab - Plant Evolutionary Genomics
Summary: This Participatory Variety Trial and Breeding project aims to enhance the resilience of Canada’s organic vegetable sector through the development of varieties well suited for for Commercial Organic Vegetable Growers and Seed Producers in Canada. The project includes: 1) on-farm variety trials to identify crop varieties which perform best in each ecological region and 2) participatory plant breeding initiatives that allow farmers to develop vegetable varieties optimized for organic systems. The project fosters collaboration among universities, NGOs, and farmers to address regional gaps in seed systems. The project also utilizes tools like SeedLinked for real-time data sharing among farmers.
CANOVI in collaboration with UBC Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, and FarmFolk CityFolk has supported organic vegetable variety trials at UBC Farm since 2018. During the 2024-2025 season, trials focused on carrot and lettuce varieties. During the 2025-2026 season, trials focused on bok choy.
Project Contact: Sharmin Gamiet
Organization/Lab: Truffle Association of BC
Summary: The Truffle Association of BC (TABC), in collaboration with University of British Columbia (UBC), established and is operating a demonstration and research truffle orchard (truffière) for farming Mediterranean black winter truffles in BC. The project, led by Ministry of Environment research scientist (retired) Shannon Berch, PhD, focuses on realistic horticultural methods to cultivate Périgord black truffles (Tuber melanosporum) with English oak trees (Quercus robur) in a mutualistic symbiosis. The current truffière of thirty-five trees was started in April 2013 when two-year-old English oak tree seedlings inoculated with Tuber melanosporum were planted at the UBC Farm in Vancouver. The truffière, measuring 37 meters by 20 meters (121′ x 64′), generates best management practices information and other scientific data for use in establishing a commercial truffle industry in BC. In 2021, TABC began collaborating with UBC Okanagan’s Dr. Dan Durall and Becky Loverock (MSc student) to evaluate truffière irrigation strategies to determine if or how soil-water availability may impact Périgord black truffle production. Initial partial funding for the TABC truffière at the UBC Farm came from the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation (BC IAF). All subsequent ongoing operational, research, and development funding has thus far come from TABC members, fund raising, and donations.
As of 2026, TABC is collaborating with Dr. Monika Fisher to assess the effectiveness of the Spanish Well method at increasing truffle production. Three different Spanish Well treatments will be introduced, each in duplicate, to 10 different trees. Treatments include (1) digging a small hole (“spanish well”, approx. 8 cubic inches) and replacing with vermiculite inoculated with T. melanosporum spores, (2) digging a small hole and replacing with vermiculite only, and (3) digging a small hole and simply replacing the dirt to test if disturbance alone is sufficient. Students in the Fischer Lab will genotype fresh inoculum and participate in field work.
Project Lead: Anu Pratap-Singh
Grounded in a multi-disciplinary partnership between UBC, Perkins&Will, and QuantoTech, this project aims to create a demonstration at UBC to adapt the use of urban farming into small-scale and modular urban agriculture growing pavilions. The project builds on the City of Vancouver's amended rezoning policy which requires the integration of food systems into all Sustainable Large Development sites. The initiative will create a living demonstration and integrated research study on how urban agriculture can be used to reduce emissions, strengthen food resilience, support food security and improve wellbeing. Graduate students will conduct qualitative/participatory research, conduct tours, answer questions, and host chef demos/taste tests at UBC Farm Saturday Markets.
The project redefines how food systems intersect with campus infrastructure by embedding agriculture into UBC’s built environment/operations. Instead of treating food growth, production & consumption as separate challenges, it integrates agricultural sciences and consumer behaviour within a single, visible framework - linking research, learning, operations & campus life. It demonstrates tangible solutions to inform policy & operational impacts of visible agriculture in public & under-utilized spaces. Research provides policy guidance for future UBC planning & design, supporting the vision of our food system as regenerative, resilient & deeply connected to wellbeing by offering a dignified food model – supported by UBC’s Executive Chef & the UBC Food Systems Steering Cttee. The approach inspires sustainable design, positioning UBC as a leader in climate-friendly, resilient campus systems.