2008 Conference

Recent Canadian successes in food safety and bio-fuels are clear examples of how scientists and other professionals are crossing barriers between disciplines. The challenges of health, the environment and energy supply, as well as profitable food production, call for more of the same.

To that end, AIC is holding a conference which will help lead to profitable breakthroughs in meeting consumer and societal demands of contemporary agriculture.

Targeted on how to bridge the gaps and move from the narrowly focused to broad based collaboration, the AIC Conference, Crossing the Barriers, Building Bridges, will be held at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto, November 17 and 18, 2008.

The agri-food sector is transforming. No longer a sector concentrated just on food, contemporary agriculture is now the sustainable resource base to which people look for the “4 F’s” (food, fuel, fibre and farmaceuticals) plus an array of environmental and social goods and services.

To prosper in the world of contemporary agriculture, businesses, governments, universities and research centres must break down barriers that isolate them all along the science and innovation chain --- from basic research to commercialization of new products and services. The challenge is to build bridges across scientific disciplines, across governments and their departments, and across business departments and divisions.

Crossing the Barriers promises to be a unique opportunity to learn from and compare insights with colleagues from a wide array of academic, business and government perspectives engaged in contemporary agriculture. Check back often for conference details, partnership potential and sponsorship opportunities.

Conference Update 1, April 25, 2008