The RBC Foundation's recent donation of $700,000 to Assiniboine College will support the expansion of its greenhouse facilities and further advance its Greenhouse in a Box research project.
This $700K donation is a contribution towards the Prairie Innovation Centre initiative which allows the college to develop infrastructure, launch new programs to support advancements and growth in the agriculture industry. The funding will help to acquire the necessary equipment and build the spaces for faculty and students to expand their work in addressing industry demands and tackle food sustainability challenges at a local and on a global scale.
"Donations that support infrastructure, research, and education allow Assiniboine to further expand our efforts to develop solutions in agricultural sustainability and food security—both critical to the future of our industry," says Chris Budiwski, Acting Dean and Chair of the Russ Edwards School of Agriculture & Environment at Assiniboine.
"We appreciate the RBC Foundation’s support towards this environmental sustainability project. This collaboration is important to the Edwards School, which aims to provide students with real-world experience through industry-driven applied research projects and support them to graduate with the skills needed to support a low-emissions economy," adds Budiwski.
The Greenhouse in a Box prototype is a free-standing, transportable structure, typical of a greenhouse that allows fruit and vegetable production to adapt to almost any location or climate, extending the crop growth season.
"These kinds of investments in the College are a boost of confidence, not just from industry to us, but we hope that it's viewed by the public as a boost of confidence in our programs, and in this case specifically in our horticultural and sustainable food programs," shares Chris Budiwski. "Donations like this from the RBC Foundation will allow us to grow those programs and have more students participate and graduate. As well as facilitate the expansion of those programs such as the one we're doing in Dauphin. We're offering a horticultural program at the Parkland campus in Dauphin as well."
"So, we see a lot of activity in what we call 'covered cultivation' so partnerships with groups like RBC or like up in Dauphin with Vermillion Growers," he adds. "It just shows there is a lot of interest and activity in growing your own food all year round."
Please listen to more with Chris Budiwski below!
The Assiniboine College greenhouse is located at the North Hill campus in Brandon. The expansion will join the grow plots, orchard and the weed identification garden to provide interdisciplinary training, practical education and applied research.
Greenhouse in a Box diagram below:
- Vertical growing wall – allows for vertical drip irrigation 3x/day for 3 minutes each time
- Irrigation system – rain and snow are collected by external eavestroughs which flow into 2 indoor water reservoir tanks in the greenhouse. the water is then pumped through a dosimeter, adding fertilizer to the water and pumped into individual plant pots
- Water reservoirs – incoming precipitation is stored in two black plastic reservoirs designed to prevent algae growth in the water
- Marine 24-volt pump – used to draw water out of the reservoirs into and through the irrigation system
- Dosimeter – water is pumped through the dosimeter which mixes fertilizer with water
- Lighting – LED lighting reduces energy consumption
- Wall panels – white-side and black-sided walls are reversible to retain more heat during winter (black side) and reduce greenhouse heat during summer (white side)
- Solar collection unit – this unit consists of two 3.5’ x 7’ solar panels attached to the south facing pony wall of the greenhouse. The charge controller sends energy to 2 lithium iron phosphate storage batteries to power the pump and lights.
For more a more detailed explanation on Greenhouse in a Box visit Assiniboine College website page HERE!