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By Alice McFarlane

Agricultural Literacy

University of Calgary agriculture literacy program gets a boost

Jul 9, 2024 | 3:28 PM

A ground-breaking program to change how society perceives and interacts with the food system has received a financial boost.

The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy announced a $1 million donation from BMO. The program, Ag Literacy for Healthier People and Planet, will help build understanding about the complexities of the agricultural system in a world where the food we eat plays a crucial role in both our health and the health of our planet.

The Simpson Centre, along with 13 universities across Canada, as well as Stanford University in the U.S., will conduct outreach and research over the next five years on food systems to gain a deeper understanding of food choices.

BMO Head of Employee & Community Giving Helen Seibel said through targeted outreach and research, the Centre will work to promote positive change in food habits and agricultural policies.

“To help broaden the understanding and importance of sustainable innovation within the agricultural food system and how our communities interact with it,” Seibel said. “Supporting agricultural excellence in next generations of students across Canada and the U.S. aligns with BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and demonstrates how we are driving progress for a sustainable future.”

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The program will deliver a variety of written, digital resources to educate the public on controversial issues in the food system like the use of GMO, pesticides, and food labels, also surveying consumer knowledge, and actively engaging with citizens.

Simpson Centre Director Guillaume Lhermie said the program is designed to reach a broad range of audiences, including formal stakeholders such as research, industry, and government, as well as informal audiences such as consumers and citizens.

“We are particularly focused on engaging young adults and teenagers who are active on social media and eager to participate in shaping the future of food systems,” he said.

The Simpson Centre is an academic policy institute that supports Canadian agri-food and agriculture with the goal to research for better policymaking and decision-making to realize a more sustainable agricultural industry.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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