Northern greenhouse experts gather in Whitehorse

Whitehorse – Northern greenhouse experts across the country are gathering in Whitehorse to attend the 4th annual Research, Innovation, and Commercialization (RIC) Workshop on March 24th and 25th. The theme of this year’s event is Innovation in Cold Climate Greenhouses and is hosted by Cold Climate Innovation of the Yukon Research Centre.

Yukoners are invited to spend two days focusing on what is integral to Northern food security: the development of year-round food production. The event will include a series of keynote speakers and panel discussions on the latest design, technology and practical innovations in cold climate greenhouses.

“Cold climate greenhouse innovation has the potential to make a significant impact on food security; one of the largest economic and social issues facing northern communities,” said Stephen Mooney, Director, Cold Climate Innovation. “CCI is committed to solving northern problems with northern expertise and we anticipate this workshop will do just that”, said Mooney.

Current greenhouse technology is not economically viable for all-season food production. Innovation in the field of cold climate greenhouses requires a multi-disciplinary approach and this event aims to build a bridge between researchers, innovators, and businesses in order to address this northern challenge and improve the lives of northerners.

The workshop promises to be engaging for anybody interested in growing food, from home gardeners to the northern farmer.  Both local and national experts will speak on the following topics: northern greenhouse structures and design, optimizing energy and resource budgets through lighting and insulation, innovative growing techniques and processes, computers in the garden – intelligent growing systems, and commercialization strategies.

The workshop will also launch the NorTrackTor, a locally-made cold climate tractor. Cold Climate Innovation is partnering with Artic Automate to design and prototype this farming innovation. This prototype tractor will be used to assess the potential for open source designs to provide cost effective solutions for northern agricultural needs and provide a platform upon which future developments of northern farming technologies can be researched, innovated and commercialized. The NorTrackTor will be unveiled on Tuesday, March 24th at 4:45pm.

For additional information please view the workshop schedule or visit our website.

The event takes place on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th, 2015 at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center.