Speaker:  Dr. Wen Chen, AAFC Research Scientist
Date: Saturday, November 21
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Neatby Salon, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa

Plants do not live alone. Every root, leaf, and handful of soil is home to a community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms known as the microbiome. Some of these microbes cause disease. Others help plants obtain nutrients, cope with drought, or defend themselves against infection.

Drawing on Canadian agricultural research, Wen will introduce the hidden microbial world found in plants, soil, air, and water. She will show how scientists combine field observations, environmental sampling, DNA sequencing, and computational tools to detect plant-health threats and study beneficial microbes. She will discuss how this research could help us grow healthier crops, detect diseases earlier, and make Canadian  agriculture more resilient.

Speaker:  Dr. David Pelster, AAFC Research Scientist
Date: Tuesday, September 22
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Neatby Salon, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa

Learn about the contributions of agriculture to global and national greenhouse gas (GHG)

emissions and, more specifically, the impact of nitrogen fertilizer use, which produces the GHG
nitrous oxide (N 2 O), on agricultural emissions. David will explore how this GHG is produced
and the strategies being used to reduce its emissions from field crops. He will talk about what is
being done at the Central Experimental Farm (and across Canada) to better understand how
agricultural cropping systems can help mitigate climate change.

Tour Guide:  Caitlyn Proctor, Greenhouse and Growth Chambers Worker
Date/Time: Monday, September 21, 11 a.m and Friday, September 25, 11 a.m.
Location: Congregation point, Neatby Salon, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa.

See what goes on behind the scene at Agriculture Canada's newest greenhouse.  Note:  Both tours are currently full booked. However, you can email info@friendsofthefarm.ca to add your name to a waiting list.