We are working on engagement meetings across the province to contribute to the provincial Common Agenda to increase local food in schools! Come participate in a meeting near you!
Thursday, October 18th, 2018
Lunenburg Community Centre- 15 Green Street, Lunenburg, NS
3-5pm
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/308796976374328/
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
106 Townsend Street, Sydney, NS
1pm-4pm
RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/868037513395826/
More being planned. Stay tuned!
We are excited to share that you can now find GROW Nova Scotia on Facebook! Please like the page to stay up-to-date on project activities and events. It’s a great space to ask questions and start discussion too. https://www.facebook.com/GROWNovaScotia/
In an effort to keep farmers and the agriculture industry up-to-date on what’s happening in field trials and in the lab we will be posting research reports on our website. Check out the new page http://www.agri-futures.ns.ca/research-reports/ to read about four projects Perennia has recently published.
If you have research that you would like to share please email it to: admin@agri-futures.ns.ca and if you would like assistance in getting research out to your industry please contact us to see if we can help.
For all you infographic creating, video loving, knowledge mobilizing folks, take a look at this great video on Visualization! https://vimeo.com/29684853
For any small and medium businesses looking to become more productive and innovative while building stronger linkages between businesses and Nova Scotia universities and colleges the Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is now open! The program is now delivered by Innovacorp! The deadline for applications is July 3, 2015, at 5:00 pm AST.
The productivity and innovation voucher is a credit note. Vouchers are valid until March 31, 2016.
Eligibility
Evaluation
The project must clearly demonstrate the potential to contribute to the development of a new value-added product, service or process that will help a business become more innovative and productive.
Voucher applications will be reviewed by Innovacorp, with input from service providers, to evaluate the following criteria:
To Apply
Download the application form.
Email completed applications to pivoucher@innovacorp.ca by July 3, 2015, at 5:00 pm AST.
All applicants will be notified about the results on or before August 7, 2015.
For more information, contact pivoucher@innovacorp.ca or call Amanda Tarr at 902.424.8670 ext. 1601 or 1.800.565.7051 (Toll Free in Atlantic Canada).
We want to hear your opinion! Please vote below to what you feel are important issues that Nova Scotia agriculture needs more support and investment in!
You can vote for more than one option. Please click on those that you feel need support. You can also add your own issue.
[socialpoll id=”2274044″]
Agri-Futures NS was pleased to welcome Dr. Martha Crago, of the oneNS Coalition, to Ag.Connect 2015 on March 31, 2015. Dr. Crago spoke about goals 11 and 12 from the oneNS report;
The coalition provides presentations and background documents regarding:
The co-chairs for the Research and Development/Commercialization team are Ray Ivany of Acadia and Richard Florizone of Dalhousie. This is good news to have agriculture front and centre in this important innovation team!
Knowledge translation may be a new term to you, although it’s used in other industries such as health care as an integral part of research outcomes. So, what exactly is knowledge translation? According to Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) “Knowledge translation (KT) is defined as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system.Here’s a quick video to illustrate how knowledge about a problem doesn’t necessarily mean change to solve it. https://vimeo.com/45757954
What about Agriculture? As a scientist, farmer, agrologist, adviser, research assistant, communication specialist, sales professional, industry rep, veterinarian, (the list goes on) you are impacted by research in agriculture. How you fit in the research ‘value chain’ differs for each one of these roles but none the less, you are impacted by research in some capacity. It’s important to understand how you fit into what’s happening in a culture where technology moves fast and innovation is speeding up. How do you keep up? Where or who do you turn to for information? Are you getting the latest and greatest knowledge to share with clients and co-workers? Are you keeping pace?
OMAFRA has created a simple webpage with Knowledge Translation strategies targeted for Agriculture. Here’s the link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/ktt/kttplan/buildkttplan.htm#whybuild. It’s important to note that the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has identified knowledge translation and transfer as an essential piece of research and innovation. What good is the research, the funding dollars, the outcomes, if no one is aware of the potential impact and results created. Make knowledge transfer and translation a priority in your work, no matter where you fit in the ‘value chain’. And if you are using KTT strategies please share!
Agri-Futures Nova Scotia is excited to announce that the association has become a partner with Ag More Than Ever campaign! Agriculture More Than Ever is an industry-driven cause to improve perceptions and create positive dialogue about Canadian ag. Together we can shine a spotlight on the facts, stories and people that make this industry special. There are lots of great resources available to industry associations and farmers to help spread the good word on Canadian Agriculture! 
Please check out the www.agmorethanever.ca website! If you have not joined the agvocate list please do so! You will join a community of like-minded people and will receive an email with agvocate tips to help you speak up for Ag. Ag More Than Ever can be found on Facebook and Twitter! Connect with them today!
Agri-Futures Nova Scotia is pleased to present a new summit called Ag.Connect 2015. The summit is scheduled for March 30 to April 1, 2015 (less than 3 weeks away so be sure to register soon!) and we are welcomed by the Holiday Inn in Truro, NS. The theme for the event is “Planting Ideas, Harvesting Knowledge” where we will be focusing on communication and knowledge transfer of agricultural research.
This event is for anyone interested in or involved in agricultural research, either in the lab, on the farm, or in the office. The goals of this event are to learn, discuss and create strategies for:
We are very proud to welcome Lyndsey Smith of realagriculture.com, Dr. Richard Donald, Dr. Martha Crago of the oneNS Coalition, Dr.Steven Roche of ACER Consulting, and Gregg Curwin of Truleaf as our keynote speakers.
The agenda is full and dynamic! Check out the Ag.Connect 2015 Schedule for more details.
Registration can be completed online at: https://www.esourceevent.com/register/register.aspx?EventName=AC2015 and don’t forget to get your ticket for the NS 4-H Fundraising Spring Gala! dinner on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.
This is going to be a great event to learn about research, help create partnerships and to have input into strategies for building a more effective research network in Nova Scotia. We look forward to seeing you there!