A new berry research lab at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Chilliwack campus is getting a grant from the provincial government.
The Berry Environmental Resilience Research and Innovation (BERRI) Lab, which is scheduled to open this summer, is receiving $617,125 through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund.
The funding will support innovative and life-changing research at UFV.
“As impacts from climate change have become more severe, berry farmers have suffered across the province but especially here in the Fraser Valley,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack. “This research being done at the University of the Fraser Valley won’t just benefit farmers, but people across the province who enjoy delicious B.C. berries.”
The BERRI lab is a 980-square-foot facility outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and will help researchers in their work to understand how berry systems adapt to climate challenges to help address food security issues and strengthen B.C.’s position as a global leader in sustainable berry production.
“Berries may be small, but we know our berry farmers have a big impact on food security and local economies in B.C.,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent.
The research will help berry farmers “increase resilience to climate change and strengthen B.C’s important agricultural sector,” she added.
These grants are provided through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund, which helps grow the economy by improving B.C.’s productivity and competitiveness. This year, the provincial government is providing more than $52 million to support infrastructure for 25 research projects at five post-secondary institutions.
“The University of the Fraser Valley is proud to contribute to our future food security through this opportunity to study the climate resilience of berry horticultural systems and ecosystems,” said Joanne MacLean, UFV president and vice-chancellor. “We appreciate that this important work is valued and supported by the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund.”
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