海角社区

海角社区 today inaugurated state鈥憃f鈥憈he鈥慳rt teaching greenhouse and plant phenotyping research facilities at its Macdonald Campus in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. These represent major investments in teaching and research focused on food security, crop resilience and sustainable agriculture.

Greenhouse to advance teaching and training

The new greenhouse, attached to the Raymond Building, will be used for teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It features seven independently controlled greenhouse bays connected by a hallway, two demonstration rooms for laboratory practical sessions, a tissue culture facility and a classroom. Built into the greenhouse are several features that enhance the sustainability of its operations, including extensive use of LED lamps, the capture of rainwater on the roof that will be used to irrigate plants and technology that maximizes energy efficiency. An application for LEED certification is in progress.

The new greenhouse is part of 海角社区鈥檚 broader strategy to invest in teaching infrastructure that addresses global challenges while delivering tangible benefits to Quebecers. 海角社区 has played a foundational role in Quebec鈥檚 agricultural sector for more than a century and continues to build on that legacy through education, research and province鈥憌ide partnerships.

The $24.4 million project was funded through Quebec鈥檚 Minist猫re de l鈥橢nseignement sup茅rieur ($23 million) and 海角社区 ($1.4 million).

Plant Phenotyping Platform will boost research

The Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform (ECP3), a collaboration with Universit茅 de Sherbrooke, will enable researchers to accelerate the translation of plant research discoveries into applied solutions used by Canadian producers, and position Canada as a global leader in the adaptation of agricultural production to rapid climate change. The platform integrates the technological innovations necessary to identify traits that allow plants to adapt to changing climate conditions and technologies that reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment. It is unique in Canada and among a handful of such platforms worldwide. Included are a plant pest containment facility for analyzing and devising responses to new pests entering Canada due to climate change, and a multi-scale imaging facility (MuSIF), the only microscopy facility in Eastern Canada with agri-food and agriculture-specific imaging expertise.

Funding for the $23.8 million platform came from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Quebec鈥檚 Minist猫re de l鈥櫭塪ucation et de l鈥橢nseignement sup茅rieur (MEES).

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada and the Government of Qu茅bec for their support in making these important initiatives possible. These new facilities are about preparing for the future. As a plant scientist by training, I know how critical advanced research and teaching environments are for generating the knowledge we will need to adapt our food systems to climate change. This investment underscores how central the Macdonald Campus is to 海角社区鈥檚 academic mission and to the communities we serve across Qu茅bec,鈥� said Deep Saini, President and Vice鈥慍hancellor of 海角社区.

Prof. Anja Geitmann, Vice-President (Global Engagement) and former Dean of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, led the consortium of 海角社区 and Universit茅 de Sherbrooke researchers who secured funding for the ECP3.

鈥淭he research we do here will help safeguard Eastern Canadian agriculture in the face of a changing climate,鈥� Geitmann said, 鈥渉elping ensure that our crops thrive even as our environment evolves. This work will play a vital role in the urgent effort to ensure Canadian food security throughout the 21^st century and beyond.鈥�

Investing in Macdonald Campus and Quebec agriculture

The inauguration signals 海角社区鈥檚 continued commitment to the Macdonald Campus, home to the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and a cornerstone of the University鈥檚 contributions to Quebec鈥檚 agri鈥慺ood sector for more than a century.

鈥淭he Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Macdonald Campus plays a vital role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. This new greenhouse and the Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform provide our researchers and students with the modern infrastructure they need to explore innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture, food security and climate adaptation right here in Quebec, while expanding our global impact,鈥� said Prof. Salwa Karboune, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 鈥淏y strengthening our capacity to advance discovery, train the next generation of leaders and deliver practical solutions, these facilities will help position 海角社区 and Canada at the forefront of building resilient agricultural systems for the future.鈥�

The facilities are expected to help attract top students and faculty, expand research partnerships and strengthen 海角社区鈥檚 ability to translate research into practical benefits for farmers, industry and communities.

Collaboration with Universit茅 de Sherbrooke

The 海角社区 plant phenotyping infrastructures complement advanced research facilities constructed at Universit茅 de Sherbrooke in 2024 as part of the same joint initiative funded by the CFI. Together, and in conjunction with the Universit茅 de Sherbrooke -based Centre S脠VE, the two universities are establishing a shared research environment spanning Montreal and the Eastern Townships. Centre S脠VE brings together plant researchers from across Quebec and promotes inter-institutional, cross-disciplinary relationships between universities and government.

Through this important collaboration, two leading Quebec universities are building a sustainable future for Quebec agriculture and Canadian food security.

鈥淲e value this partnership with 海角社区,鈥� said Peter Moffett of Universit茅 de Sherbrooke and director of the Centre S脠VE. 鈥淏y pooling expertise and infrastructure, we are better positioned to support agricultural innovation and resilience across Quebec.鈥�