Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Niagara College (NC) Agriculture & Environment Innovation Centre (AEIC) and White Oaks Resort & Spa (White Oaks) are collaborating to convert 1,152 square feet of White Oaks' property in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario from grass into a garden for sustainable food production. The garden's produce will be used in White Oaks' two restaurants, Liv and Play. The garden will also be used for education and awareness of sustainable food and property usage for the over 250,000 clients that are welcomed at White Oaks hotel each year, and the over 3,000 club members. This project is a challenge because the proposed area is grass, and its location is not optimal for a garden. It was recently a road shoulder due to the reconstruction of a public road. It endures high winds, car residue, pollution, and human traffic. However, it is optimal to gain the highest value for visibility and exposure. The research objectives are to convert the area from grass to an organic garden and care for it in an innovative and sustainable method. Faculty member Tanya Blankenburg will work with a current NC student and a recent NC graduate to execute the project. Ms. Blankenburg has expertise and experience in permaculture, grass to garden conversion, sustainable growing, and working with a food service team to provide optimal food service quality produce. Ms. Blankenburg oversees the NC Chef's Garden, which produces vegetables and herbs for NC's Benchmark restaurant, which has won Les Clefs d'Or's Golden Plate Award. To promote and fully exploit the findings of the innovative conversion, soil conditioning and plant care methods, the AEIC team will produce a white paper to showcase the findings for other hospitality and food service operations looking to sustainably convert grass to a garden and maintain a garden in difficult growing conditions. White Oaks will care for and use the garden going forward, and the conversion and care for this garden will be used on future areas of the 13 acre property to be transitioned into gardens. The nearly 2 million acres of land protected by the Greenbelt in Ontario and encroaching urbanization highlight and stress that the results of the project are needed to support local growing.