This article was written by Gillian Limebeer, the Jr. Research Technician at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Vineland is a major partner of the World Crops project. We're delighted to have Gillian share her experience as a young farmer and researcher in this project.
Gillian Limebeer proudly holds a bunch of Indian red carrots
Nestled away in the northwest corner of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s campus, lies the ‘New World Crop’ research vegetable trial plot. Adjacent from the receding shoreline of Lake Ontario, separated by a short chain linked fence, the 1 ¼ acre plot is thriving with beautifully exotic vegetable crops. Sweet smelling blooms paired with musk from the vine and root vegetable crops creates a unique and pleasant fragrance on the breeze, as bird calls and crashing waves fight for dominance over the silence. It truly is a slice of paradise- It’s no wonder why I love coming into work every day.
Under the direction of Ahmed Bilal, Research Associate of the Crop Production and Diversification Systems ‘New World Crop’ project, I operate as the Junior Research Technician. On a day- to-day basis I manage the field operations throughout the growing season, while during the off season operate as the Research Associate’s assistant. It takes a small army of 3-8 people to manage the harvest requirements of the field, while the research components add a challenge to daily operations. From the early planning stages, right through to the mantling and dismantling of the field, to the end analysis of the accumulated harvest data, I am challenged daily.
As young farmer, I am grateful for the support of an experienced field crew, who have taught me the basic dynamics of a farmstead, of my role within it and what truly what defines a ‘farmer.’ A farmer, to me, is not defined by early mornings, nor late hours, mud caked clothes, bad hats, or even flannel shirts; it’s a dedication to the crops themselves, the desire to maintain their vigour, to protect them from insect pests and disease, and to successfully introduce the vegetable fruits into the horticulture market.
Growing up, I never dreamed of being a farmer. I didn’t get my high school credits towards Agriculture 101, and when I graduated from Niagara College's Environmental Technician certificate program two years later, I still didn’t think I was going to be a farmer. But, what do I know? I took a student co-op position here at the Vineland as a field hand this summer and took to it immediately. I was fascinated by the world crops already growing here and somehow enjoyed the intense physical labour the job demanded of me.
I recently jumped on an opportunity to stay on here at Vineland for another year in a new role as a Jr. Research Technician. This has opened up new opportunities for me to become educated in integrated pest management systems, irrigation systems, pesticide applications, modern agriculture techniques, soil and water chemistry, and accepted scientific practices.
My newly acquired skills and knowledge helps me with my daily role in the New World Crop research project. The project focuses on evaluating the adaptability of selected world vegetable crops to Ontario’s climate by measuring their productivity. Over the past two years, we have tested oka, Asian eggplant, round eggplant, yard-long beans, tomatillos, bottle gourd, Indian red carrot, maca, and daikon radish.
Ahmed Bilal, Vineland's Research Associate, shows off Asian eggplant
The vegetables were selected based on their current market demand. In Toronto alone, 46.9% of the population is composed of visible minorities according to the 2006 consensus published by Statistics Canada. These new Canadians are bringing with them their unique culinary tastes and demands for staple vegetables to be available to them in markets. Our research supports an industry opportunity to begin to replace the existing world crop imports so that we can diversify the existing agricultural industry in Ontario while ensuring food quality, biosecurity, and sustainability of demand. The research provides first hand information and recommendations to Ontario’s farmers to encourage local commercial production of the selected crops, providing consumers with locally grown, fresh and naturally ripe produce, with the added benefit of reducing our ecological footprint. The ability for these crops to flourish in Ontario, combined with the growing interest from importers, exporters, distributors, farmers, consumers, and the media indicate the project is on a road to success.
Tomatillos flourish here in Southern Ontario. They hail from Mexico and are similar to a ground cherry or small green tomato.
Through my association with Vineland, I am involved in a project that can help diversify and strengthen the horticulture industry while benefiting the end consumer and farmers alike, which makes me feel motivated and energized in my work. Vineland has provided me with limitless opportunities to get involved in the industry beyond my daily responsibilities of crop management by allowing me to form business relations with organizations such as FoodShare and The Stop, with distributors such as Golden Groceries and Sundine, and with local chefs who are testing out the crops in the kitchen. My interest in farming now goes beyond the narrow scope of the project to the horticulture industry in its entirety, and I have Vineland to thank for giving me the direction and support to make a difference in it.
