As part of a project to create a centre of innovation in sustainable urban agriculture, Durham College has announced plans to build an urban farm facility.

Planned for the college’s Whitby campus, The Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture would become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agriculture practices, research, education and training. The facility was made possible in part thanks to a donation of $5 million from The Barrett Family Foundation.

“The Barrett Centre is an amplification and expansion of all the expertise we’ve gained bringing the field-to-fork philosophy to life each and every day in our food, farming and horticulture programs,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “The knowledge and experience gained from turning unused fields into a vibrant crop-bearing farm serves as a solid foundation for what The Barrett Centre will accomplish, and we are looking forward to continuing to lead the way together, with The Barrett Foundation, our students, faculty and the community.”

As well as the farm facility, which is intended to become a community-inspired living lab, the centre aims to will become an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agricultural practices, research, education and training, to address some of society’s biggest challenges including food insecurity, access to safe and stable supplies of fresh food, and economic stability and regeneration of land for local food production.

“Our goal as a foundation is to partner with organizations that positively impact communities, locally and globally,” said Bob Barrett, The Barrett Family Foundation. “With its focus on sustainable agriculture, coupled with student learning and research, The Barrett Centre stands to do just that. We are really looking forward to seeing all the great work that will be achieved.”

Featured image: Pictured at the project launch are Linda Flynn, associate vice-president, Development and Alumni Affairs, Durham College; Don Lovisa, president, Durham College; Bob Barrett, The Barrett Family Foundation; Francine Rouleau-Barrett, The Barrett Family Foundation. (Durham College)