John Kelly, Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, experienced Brock’s commitment to advancing agricultural research up close on his first visit to the University on Friday, May 17.

Following a recent visit from the Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Kelly was on campus to learn more about Brock’s research contributions in areas such as grape and wine, plant health, insects, nutrition, and economics.

After meeting with members of the University’s senior leadership team, including President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg, and scientists and researchers from the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), the Deputy Minister toured CCOVI and the Brock-Niagara Validation, Prototyping and Manufacturing Institute (VPMI).

The tour showcased how VPMI partners with industry to support southern Ontario’s bioproducts, bioscience, bio-agriculture and chemical manufacturing sectors as well as CCOVI’s latest research endeavors and its economic impact on the province.

With the recent announcement of a combined $7 million in federal and provincial funding, the development of the Clean Agriculture for Sustainable Production (CASP) Field Infrastructure project was a focal point of discussion. The CASP project includes the creation of a world-leading farm-based research centre aimed to increase self-reliance within the agriculture ecosystem.