Bieler Cranberries Inc. is the largest single-site cranberry farm in Canada producing up to 40 million pounds of fruit a year, and its founder and president Marc Bieler is recognized as Canada’s Cranberry King. The road to this achievement, however, was not a straight line. Along the way, Bieler encountered detours, new opportunities and changes of plans — all fueled by a passion for the land and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Published on: 31 Mar 2021

“Il faudrait que l’engouement pour les produits locaux, pour les produits du terroir et pour ce qui est fabriqué au Québec demeure, même une fois cette pandémie terminée. Tous ces bons réflexes qu'on a développés pour acheter des produits locaux doivent rester, et les épiciers devront continuer à nous offrir ces produits-là, à bien les identifier et à les mettre en évidence.” Pascal Thériault, Faculté des sciences de l’agriculture et de l’environnement de l'Université .

Classified as: eating local, buying local
Published on: 25 Mar 2021

Bioresource engineering prof cited for research excellence and role as mentor for women entering the field

Classified as: Valerie Orsat, Suffrage Science Award
Published on: 12 Mar 2021

Today, Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages announced funding results from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Innovation Fund (IF) for universities in Quebec.

Classified as: Canada Foundation for Innovation, CFI, Innovation Fund, BARN, michael jemtrud, Kiel Moe, Salmaan Craig, Morgan Arboretum, Macdonald Campus, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture, Sustainability
Published on: 9 Mar 2021

’s shuttle buses are sporting a brand-new design.

After a curveball of a year, the revamped -red vehicles—which feature a new, bold Made by design style—will, with any luck, serve as a beacon of the many exciting things to come as the university progresses toward the gradual resumption of on-campus activities.

Classified as: , shuttle bus, Transport
Published on: 3 Mar 2021

Bioresource Engineering professor Michael Ngadi has spent his career trying to help solve some of the world’s most pervasive food problems. Recently, Ngadi and his research team traveled to remote communities in Bolivia, Laos, Zambia, Malawi and Ethiopia to examine elements of the local diets, assess their nutritional status, and build programs that would introduce nutrient-dense foods into local cuisines.

Classified as: food security, global nutrition
Published on: 18 Feb 2021

Here's a feast for your eyes on this chilly February morning. Join Mike Bleho for a trip back to the sweltering summer of 2020 to see the construction of a couple of new structures at the Hort Centre - a low input high tunnel and a greenhouse. Thanks to this new infrastructure, the team produced tomatoes right up until the first week of November! The project came together thanks to the dedicated efforts of our staff and students and was supported by the Sustainability Projects Fund. 

Classified as: Horticulture Centre
Published on: 18 Feb 2021

En chute libre depuis les années 1940, le nombre de fermes se stabilise au Québec. Fait rare, il a même légèrement augmenté en 2020. Derrière cette hausse se cache toutefois deux réalités. Si les petites fermes de proximité et les érablières sont en croissance, les productions animales sont en baisse, pour la plupart. En février 2020, Clémence Briand-Racine [BSc (AgEnvSc)’14 ], fondant officiellement son entreprise agricole maraîchère : la Ferme aux colibris.  

Classified as: small farms
Published on: 18 Feb 2021

Animal-friendly fences, optimized water use and rotational grazing systems help make the Mac dairy herd more sustainable overall

“This system of pasturing uses the cattle to manage grass growth, and in return, the cattle get highly nutritious grass at the peak of quality while spending the spring, summer and fall outside in a natural environment,” says [Farm Manager, Paul] Meldrum of the Project which received funding from the University’s Sustainability Projects Fund.

Classified as: sustainable pasture systems, dairy production
Published on: 18 Feb 2021

| Caitlin MacDougall, Liaison Officer, Farm Management and Technology Program

Nearly 200 members of the -Macdonald community gathered for a virtual celebration of Founder’s Day on Zoom on February 11, 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic required organizers to rethink the traditional format. The transition to a digital event was a smooth one, with veteran MC Paul Meldrum, Manager of the Macdonald Campus Farm, seamlessly connecting each segment with some behind-the-scenes help.

Classified as: Founder's Day Celebrations
Published on: 12 Feb 2021

Inter-provincial survey gauges how Canadians have accessed food during the pandemic and their perceptions of food systems

Shopping anxiety, higher food prices and individual income limitations are some of the factors making access to food challenging for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study suggests.

Classified as: food security, School of Human Nutrition, Daiva Nielsen, covid-19, food access
Published on: 18 Dec 2020

Kate Sinclair is working at the World Food Programme, Sri Lanka while simultaneously finishing her PhD in Human Nutrition at

December 10, was a typical day at the office for Kate Sinclair… Kind of, but not really. Not by a long shot.

Classified as: food security, Nobel Peace Prize, global nutrition, Kate Sinclair
Published on: 18 Dec 2020
[Authors: Bridget O'Brien is a 4th year undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science (Microbiology & Immunology), and an Honours student with Dr Ronholm. This paper stems from her NSERC USRA research project with Dr Ronholm in the summer 2020; Dr Jennifer Ronholm is an Assistant Professor in both the Departments of Animal Science and Food Science, whose research focuses on the microbiome of food-producing animals]
Classified as: food safety, Jennifer Ronholm, covid-19, food transmission
Published on: 10 Dec 2020
On Wednesday November 25th, 2020, 9 passionate Macdonald campus graduate students each presented their thesis research in 3 minutes. With only one non-animated slide for visual support, each competitor walked us through the complexity of their research and the impact their work will have. Over 60 people attended the event and engaged in an incredible Q&A session with the competitors, while our astute panel of judges had the challenging task of identifying the most outstanding presentations among the 9 memorable presentations that were given that afternoon.
Classified as: Lister Family Engaged Science Initiative, 3-Minute Thesis competition
Published on: 2 Dec 2020

The Ecological Improvement of Dairy Cow Pastures project has created a sustainable pasture system at the Macdonald Campus Farm which features a rotational grazing system for cattle, the addition of approximately 700 trees and shrubs, the installation of water lines for access to fresh water, and the purchase of a mobile shade umbrella to protect cattle from the sun. The re-design of the pastures has led to improved animal well-being and reduced machinery usage.

Classified as: Cow comfort and management, sustainable pasture systems
Published on: 25 Nov 2020

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