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Nova Scotia Agricultural College opens first national Christmas Tree Research Centre
Friday, March11, 2011 - Bible Hill – The first, national Christmas Tree Research Centre dedicated to providing support and research to the Atlantic Christmas tree industry will officially open at 10:00 a.m. this Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill.
“Our government is pleased to support the Christmas Tree Research Centre at Nova Scotia Agricultural College,” said Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit MP Scott Armstrong, who will speak at the opening on behalf of ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield. “Investment in innovative research and development is essential to the creation of new economic opportunities for Atlantic Canada.”
NSAC received nearly $2.4 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA’s) Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period to aid in the development of SMART Christmas trees or “A” grade trees with all the desirable attributes and technologies to control needle drop.
Christmas tree growing and exporting is a $100 million industry in Atlantic Canada employing 20,000 people.
“This is great news for Atlantic Canada’s Christmas tree industry and it will make us a world leader in balsam fir Christmas tree research,” said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. “We are pleased to support the Centre and the research work that will take place for an industry that creates good jobs and grows the economy in rural Nova Scotia.”
Driven by a commitment to rural sustainability, this $6 million research program, led by Dr. Raj Lada will research products and technologies to enhance needle retention as well as produce a “SMART Balsam”, which epitomizes an ideal tree - full, sturdy architecture, unique fragrance, blue-green needles, free of pests with the ability to retain its needles for up to three months or more.
“I am truly humbled by this experience and by the support of NSAC and various funding agencies, industry partners and provincial governments of Atlantic Canada,” said Dr. Raj Lada, founding director of the Centre. “I am honoured to lead the CRC in contributing to the knowledge and innovation chain in promoting rural biowealth,” he added.
Lada has also established the Atlantic Christmas Tree Research and Development Consortium to open communication and discussion among researchers in various universities, those working in the industry and Atlantic provincial government departments.
Lada has been awarded several grants and research support through national, regional and provincial funding agencies including the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency – Atlantic Innovation Fund, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, AgriFutures – Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food, NB Growing Forward, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, Christmas Tree Council of Nova Scotia and Smart Christmas Tree Research Cooperatives Limited.
The Christmas Tree Research Centre aims to enhance Atlantic Canada’s knowledge-based bioeconomy through the development of science-driven, innovative technologies and products for increasing the sustainability of Atlantic Canada’s Christmas trees and Greenery industry.
NSAC is a specialized university that cultivates learning and research, focusing on improving and sustaining our environment for the health and well-being of society.
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For information:
Stephanie Rogers
Communications Manager
NSAC
902-893-7247
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