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  2. Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Sandy Dunn

Title: Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Principal Investigator: Sandy Dunn, Executive Director, Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association (LMHIA)

Duration: April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2023

Project Summary:

The LMHIA plays a key role in interfacing between various horticultural commodity groups, including the BC Blueberry Council (BCBC), Raspberry Industry Development Council (RIDC) and BC Strawberry Grower’s Association (BCSGA), and a network of researchers and the global agricultural community.  In particular, the LMHIA has developed and conducted the Annual Short Course for Commercial Growers for over 60 years, bringing in internationally recognized speakers to present topical themes, innovative ideas and deliver useful tools for the attendees.  The goals of the event are to:

  1. Extend applied research results to growers to advance the business sustainability of BC’s Agri-food sector;
  2. Increase awareness of new products, practices, processes and technologies that will increase the competitiveness and sustainability of BC’s Agri-food sector;
  3. Accelerate the adoption of promising new products, practices, processes, and technologies that will increase the competitiveness and sustainability of BC’s Agri-food sector; and
  4. Provide information and tools to support improved decision making and business management skills and awareness within the Agri-food industry.

Based on its mandate and function, the LMHIA is uniquely positioned in a leading role in Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT).  Moreover, the LMHIA’s Board of Directors includes three grower representatives from each of the blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry industries.

Objectives:

The objective of this project is to deliver the practical grower communications and KTT that arise from integration of research results across commodities, scientific disciplines, and production regions through the following events and media:

  1. Research and extension presentations for growers through the LMHIA Annual Short Course for Commercial Growers;
  2. Seminars and educational presentations through the BCBC, RIDC and BCSGA field days;
  3. Annual research review meetings with sessions for individual commodities and cross-commodity sessions;
  4. Educational articles through the BCBC, RIDC and BCSGA newsletters; and
  5. Multimedia-, website-, app-based materials through all collaborating industry groups.