Feds fund OC initiatives

Photo: Contributed

The federal government is doling out $45 million to fund more than 94 projects nationwide, including two associated with Okanagan College research initiatives.

The initiatives will help two Shuswap area companies projects focused on technology in agriculture and improving economic sustainability for existing businesses. 

Two-hundred thousand dollars of federal grant money (over two years) is going to support:

• Research into means to reduce heating costs for greenhouses in cool climates, in order to allow them to operate economically longer or year-round (in partnership with Karen Dow, The Handmade Shop)
• Research into development for a year-round greenhouse using low-grade geothermal temperature control systems, either on a grid or off the grid (in partnership with Ernest Moniz, HighCroft Farm, Sorrento)
• Developing an automated control system for indoor vertical hydroponic farming (in partnership with Karen Dow, The Handmade Shop)

The funding for the projects flows through the NSERC-administered College and Community Innovation Program.

Okanagan College personnel involved in the Shuswap research include researcher Dr. Peter Janele and David Williams, who teaches in the Electronic Engineering Technology program.

“This is research that demonstrates how Okanagan College can bring expertise and knowledge – and federal support – to bear on real-world challenges and opportunities that will benefit business and impact the economic health of our region,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “I’m pleased this work is focused in the Shuswap and am looking forward to seeing what the results are. Important to us is the fact there are OC students involved, bolstering their education with research experience.”

The projects are projected to be complete within two years.