As an alumnus of NSAC, you are already aware that the university has a long history of top-notch education but did you know that NSAC also plays a key economic role? The university is one of the largest employers in the Colchester region and a partner in stimulating economic growth in the area through its research and by providing fertile soil for new agri and bioresources-based businesses to grow.

Over 60% of NSAC faculty is involved with active research and there are 24 research centres, institutes and programs. Some of the research projects being conducted at NSAC are studying ways to improve the quality of the agri-food supply.

Nova Scotia produces over 40 million pounds of wild blueberries annually. The wild blueberry is the number one fruit crop in acreage export sales and value. It is also one of the most important fruit crops of Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces.

NSAC is very active in building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with industry. The economic importance of the blueberry was one of the main drivers for the initiation of The Wild Blueberry Research Program in 1996. This program focuses on improving the yield potential and long-term sustainability of wild blueberry production. In addition to research and technology transfer activities, training of highly qualified personnel continues to be an area of emphasis for the research program, in cooperation with industry and producer representatives.

As part of its commitment, NSAC recently announced the initiation of a major project in alternative weed management technologies. The project, being led by Dr. Nathan Boyd, Vegetation Management Research Chair with the Department of Environmental Sciences, intends to develop integrated approaches to weed management for lowbush blueberry. Weeds are the major yield-limiting factor in blueberry fields and effective weed management must be balanced with the desire to market blueberries as a natural, healthy and low input product. In order to address these growing issues, the largest growers and processors within the industry have set a goal to reduce agrochemical use by 40%. In order to achieve this, alternative technologies or herbicides with different modes of action need to be evaluated for potential use alone or in conjunction with current practices. This is a three-year initiative which includes industry partners such as Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd., Bragg Lumber Company Ltd., and the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia.

Yet another example of an economic beneficial partnership with industry is the recent opening of the Atlantic Poultry Research Centre. This $9.8 million centre will provide teaching and research capabilities in all phases of poultry production from hatching to value-added product processing. This state-of-the-art facility will allow fundamental research in areas of nutrition, physiology, poultry product quality, food safety and provide opportunities for the development of new and innovative research directions.

“NSAC is the most research intensive university in Atlantic Canada and one of the major benefits we can offer businesses looking to re-locate or get their start here is the Park’s strategic location to such a tremendous resource.”

Things are also growing at AgriTECH Park. The facility, which officially opened it doors in 1998, is the commercialization wing of NSAC. “Its mandate is to provide the fertile environment necessary to grow and develop bio-economy products, services and technologies within the agri-food, aqua-food and environmental sectors” says Director Laurie Sandeson. “NSAC is the most research intensive university in Atlantic Canada and one of the major benefits we can offer businesses looking to re-locate or get their start here is the Park’s strategic location to such a tremendous resource.” In addition to flexible leasing and business support services for start-up and new companies, the Park offers mentoring and business consulting services on a unique campus-like setting with nature trails and an on-site aquatic centre. AgriTECH Park is celebrating successes and is always looking for innovative ways to grow the agri-food sector. The Park is currently home to 12 tenants and two laboratories. Sandeson says “There is an abundance of opportunity and the Park is working on plans to convert one of its buildings, the Northumberland, into a bio-accelerator so it can be used as a test site for bio-product development.”

The Atlantic BioVenture Centre was established in 2005 as an operating division of AgriTECH Park and works with primary and processing sectors on bioresource value-chain developments and technology transfer. The Atlantic BioVenture Centre is working with the agri-food and aqua-food sectors to seek new approaches and non-traditional uses for bio-resources, encouraging a movement towards the development of bio-based, high value products. Advances in bioproducts have already had a positive economic impact on the agriculture industries and bio-businesses are poised to take advantage of the emerging $200 billion natural and wellness product markets. In assisting bio-businesses to create new wealth from bioresources, the Park is striving towards its vision of being Atlantic Canada’s Bio-economy Village.

Sandeson points to one of the oldest businesses in Agri-TECH Park, Azar Agriculture Incorporated, as an example of the university and industry working together to meet an emerging need. Azar performs breeding work with novel plant species and contract research services for industry organizations such as the Soil & Crop Improvement Association, Horticulture Association of Nova Scotia, and the Wild Blueberry Association of Nova Scotia as well as research for private industry.

Azar is currently researching new turf species that would help to address environmental concerns like fertility and drought. Azar’s founder, Kathleen Glover, started working with NSAC as a molecular biologist and expanded to the AgriTECH Park where she established the business in 1998. Azar can employ as many as eight individuals at a time, all of whom are NSAC graduates. On the benefits of AgriTECH Park, Glover says, “close ties with the NSAC and being in close proximity to the university makes it easy to interact with research faculty which gives us an insight into new offerings for the agricultural community as well as access to employees with the specialized skills my business requires.” The AgriTECH Park has provided lab and office space as well as research field plots. Azar is currently working on a select population of ticklegrass which is herbicide tolerant and has been shown to be useful in reducing soil erosion and crop reduction in wild blueberry production. The future looks bright for Azar and it is preparing to increase its efforts in breeding projects with novel turf species.

“The university and its research are key to economic growth in the area.”

CoRDA (Colchester Regional Development Agency) is an organization whose mission is to “drive sustainable economic growth creating healthy communities, prosperous business and opportunity for our citizens.” Alan Johnson, CoRDA’s Director of Marketing and Communications, has this to say about NSAC: “The university and its research are key to economic growth in the area.” CoRDA works closely with Agri-TECH and NSAC to ensure that growth is firing on all cylinders. In the future CoRDA hopes to build a critical mass of life-sciences and biotechnology businesses at AgriTECH which will become a key economic engine in the area. “

NSAC alumni should take pride in their alma matter. Through its partnerships with industry, encouragement of new and exciting businesses and active research, the university is playing a central role in the economy and future prosperity of the Colchester region.