CENTER FOR HORTICULTURAL INNOVATION
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
The Center for Horticultural Innovation is an advanced research facility dedicated to the study and development of horticultural practices, technologies, and innovations. Located in Leamington, ON, Canada, the Center serves as a hub for collaboration between researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders in the horticulture sector. Our facility is made up of a collection of departments including an in-house genetics lab, growing/trial development team, quality harvest lab, plant science/propagation team, data science/AI team, and nutrition lab/food science team.
Our mission is to drive advancements in the horticultural sciences, improve crop productivity, enhance sustainability, increase food security, and promote economic growth within the horticulture industry. Through rigorous research and innovation, we strive to address the challenges faced by greenhouse growers, improve crop quality, and develop sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the agricultural community.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Research & Development – Conduct cutting-edge research to explore novel horticultural techniques, plant improvement, disease management, crop protection, and resource optimization. We want to bring together experts in various fields, fostering innovation and generating practical solutions for horticulture-related issues.
- Technology & Innovation – The Center serves as a hub for technological advancements in horticulture. We actively explore emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, robotics, and automation to improve efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and enhance productivity in horticultural practices.
- Industry Collaboration – We collaborate closely with industry stakeholders including greenhouse growers, producers, and horticultural organizations. Through partnerships and knowledge-sharing initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation, ensuring that our findings directly benefit the horticulture industry and address real-world challenges.
- Sustainable Practices – Environmental sustainability is a core focus of our research and development efforts. We explore methods to reduce the environmental footprint of horticultural practices, including efficient water and nutrient management, integrated pest management strategies, and the utilization of renewable energy sources. Our aim is to foster a resilient and environmentally-responsible horticulture industry.
BEHIND THE SCENES
GENETICS LAB
Molecular biology plays a critical role in testing for elements like diseases and bacteria in plants. The genetics lab at the our Center for Horticultural Innovation was launched in 2020 with the goal of enhancing our plant testing efforts and giving our team greater access to even more advanced testing methods.
FOOD SCIENCE
At the Center for Horticultural Innovation, we believe that food science testing is one of the best ways to learn about and improve upon the flavor, quality, and longevity of greenhouse-grown produce. In our R&D harvest lab, our team runs a wide variety of tests on fresh produce samples to analyze different attributes, such as sugar levels, acidity, and firmness. We are committed to applying what we learn from this important food science research to help our greenhouse partners grow the best tasting and highest quality produce available!