Sowing the seeds to transform inter-organizational collaborations for soil health
With a focus on sustainability in agriculture, the University of Guelph’s Research Innovation Office and Western University’s Innovation North worked together to identify the key problems blocking the path to more sustainable agri-food futures. To broaden our understanding, we identified and interviewed key participants across the industry including farmers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to better conceptualize the issues they face that impact sustainability planning. Throughout these enlightening conversations, a singular theme emerged: the paramount importance of soil health management and the risk it faces. Shockingly, almost 70% of Ontario's farmland stands on the edge of erosion, threatening the very essence of our existence - the food we eat and the ecosystems we rely on. We must act now to avert disaster and secure a thriving tomorrow.
Unraveling the root causes of soil degradation uncovers a series of staggering challenges. Farmers, the heart of the agri-food industry, find themselves grappling with unhealthy soil, resorting to chemical fertilizers to salvage productivity. But this short-term fix only fuels the vicious cycle, leaving them vulnerable to unpredictable fertilizer price spikes and jeopardizing long-term planning.
The repercussion of this silent crisis also extends far beyond the fields. Our precious food supply is at risk, its nutritional value and diversity eroding with the soil. But it doesn't stop there - the natural world is also suffering. Unhealthy soil loses resilience and struggles to withstand nature's fury, leading to crop losses, reduced yield reliability, and the loss of critical biodiversity. We must recognize that the fate of our food supply, well-being and of our environment hinges on the vitality of our soil.
Armed with a powerful systems-thinking approach and using a tool called the Compass, the Research Innovation Office and Innovation North convened a transformative event in April 2023, where diverse minds collaborated and generated game-changing ideas to reclaim soil health. Attendees were also provided the opportunity to further develop these ideas into a proposal for this year’s Amplifying Research Impact Fund (ARIF). The ARIF will fund three, 1-year proof of concept projects for up to $40K, funded by Food from Thought. The intention of this seed funding is to better position these initiatives to apply for additional funding in the future to positively impact soil health in Canada.
In the pursuit of transformative change, the University of Guelph aspires to be a strategic partner and convener with plans to continue the conversation and engage with diverse participants in collaborative efforts. Our unwavering dedication to fostering ecosystem partner engagement is in pursuit of sowing the seeds of transformation. Guided by a shared vision, we hope to lay the groundwork for swift, actionable plans and set sights on long-term paths that promise a flourishing future. Together, we'll preserve the soil, protect the planet, and cultivate a prosperous future for all. The soil's silent crisis demands our action. Let's act now for a sustainable tomorrow.
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Food from Thought is a research program at the University of Guelph funded in part by a $76.6-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. Food from Thought will position Canada as a global leader in the development of innovative solutions that improve both the sustainability and productivity of agricultural production at global, landscape, and micro scales.