U of G Researchers Enter Final Phase of Agri-Food Challenge

A University of Guelph research team has made it to the third and final Scaling Phase of the Weston Family Foundation’s $33-million Homegrown Innovation Challenge. 

Dr. Youbin Zheng, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences, Ontario Agricultural College, and his team are receiving nearly $5 million to scale a hybrid greenhouse-vertical farming system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and smart sensor technology that can grow strawberries year-round.  

“Our technologies are designed to optimize growing conditions in greenhouses,” says Zheng. “They will allow us to produce strawberries out of season, use less energy, save resources and increase production and efficiency with a lower environmental impact.”  

The Homegrown Innovation Challenge is supporting Canada’s ecosystem of local talent to accelerate our path to leadership in agriculture. The solutions developed through this initiative will help make our national food supply chain more resilient and transform the future of food production across the country. 

“Supporting the resilience, sustainability and self-sufficiency of Canada’s food systems has never been more important,” says Dr. Shayan Sharif, interim vice-president, research and innovation. “We are delighted to see Dr. Zheng and his team advance their innovations in this next phase of the Challenge.”