Agriculture, community support and local business entrepreneurship is a powerful combination that can foster sustainable development and strengthen local economies. Community supported agriculture and small agricultural businesses can also play a vital role in addressing local food insecurity.
Such is the case with and alum Laurie Jennings, whose generous donation is fueling the at 鲍鱼tv鈥檚 Faculty of Agriculture. This funding will help complete a climate battery greenhouse and provide student internships and programming to boost community food security and enhance entrepreneurship.
Masstown Market is a thriving family business which began as a farm-gate operation in the spring of 1969. Laurie grew up on the family farm and from an early age was involved in planting, harvesting and retailing. He graduated from 鲍鱼tv in 1987 with a BSc in Biology.
Laurie is an icon in the local food movement and has been committed to supporting local business and local producers for many years. He has also established the Masstown Market Bursary to support students from Atlantic Canada enrolled at the Faculty of Agriculture who have an interest in starting or growing a family business in Atlantic Canada.
鈥淭he agricultural community in Nova Scotia holds a special place in my heart,鈥� said Laurie, vice president at Masstown Market. 鈥淭hrough the market, I've enjoyed building relationships with so many producers across the province and I am deeply committed to seeing this sector flourish."
What we need now, more than ever, are young people with a passion for agriculture and an entrepreneurial spirit
鈥淲hat we need now, more than ever, are young people with a passion for agriculture and an entrepreneurial spirit. That's why I believe so strongly in Cultiv8. It鈥檚 a remarkable program that inspires the next generation of producers and entrepreneurs, equipping students with vital skills and knowledge. For me and my family, supporting this program is about so much more than agriculture鈥攊t鈥檚 about nurturing the dreams of young people who will one day sustain us all.鈥�
A win-win-win
鲍鱼tv鈥檚 Cultiv8 program engages students in multidisciplinary innovation, fostering adaptability, critical thinking, and entrepreneurship. It features Sustain, a student-managed farm that supports local food banks while offering hands-on learning experiences.
The planned climate battery greenhouse will utilize solar thermal technology to extend the growing season and provide stable conditions for research and food production. This initiative not only supports local agriculture but also attracts students interested in sustainability.
鈥淟ooking at alternative ways to sustainably feed our communities while educating our future leaders and supporting our local community is a win, win, win for the Faculty of Agriculture and 鲍鱼tv University,鈥� said Dr. Hearther Bruce, dean and campus principal.听 鈥淲e are truly appreciative of the support of the Jennings family and look forward to the growth of this partnership.鈥�
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Investing in the Cultiv8 program, which includes initiatives like Cultiv8 Chef 鈥� a program introducing students to food security, product-development and value-added food entrepreneurship and a student-run garden 鈥� enhances food security, fosters innovation, and develops entrepreneurial skills among students. The program's holistic approach prepares students for careers in agriculture while benefiting the broader community through increased access to local produce.
By integrating these aspects, communities can thrive, creating a more resilient and interconnected local economy.
鈥淥ver the last five years, Cultiv8 has been building a value-added, food product development entrepreneurship pipeline comprised of the Sustain farm, a value-added food product development program, a bricks and mortar site, E-commerce platform, website and social channels,鈥� explained Cultiv8 Manager Jason Grant.听
鈥淭he pipeline provides entry points for students to experience the tenets of entrepreneurship in a low risk, applied environment, bolstering their resilience for their futures of work,鈥� he added.听 鈥淭he substantial gift from the Jennings family and Masstown Market has enabled Cultiv8 to build capacity of the resource at a critical time 鈥� we will be offering student internships in year-round growing, food product development and full-time summer jobs.鈥�