Michelle Stringer
AG-ACt Project Coordinator (University of Guelph)
As the agri-food sector grapples with the impacts of climate change, innovative and sustainable solutions are essential for more resilient Canadian food systems. Enter the Agricultural Genomics Action Centre (AG-ACt), a Genome Canada-funded knowledge mobilization and implementation coordination hub that bridges groundbreaking research from a climate-smart agriculture initiative with real-world applications.
AG-ACt's Role in Climate-Smart Agriculture
AG-ACt connects nine interdisciplinary research teams and two portfolio hubs working on climate-smart agriculture solutions with the broader agricultural community. Its purpose is clear: to deliver research and portfolio findings to those who can use them—farmers, industry professionals, and policymakers. Doing so can help reduce Canada’s food production carbon footprint while boosting agricultural resilience, environmental sustainability, and economic viability.
Rooted in collaborative innovation, the nine research teams and the portfolio hubs share a common vision. They seek solutions that will increase the value of production systems by minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and negative environmental impacts. Their work touches on everything from improving soil carbon storage and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, to developing climate-resilient crops and alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. Some teams focus on supporting biodiversity and sustainable land management, while others use genomics to transform food systems – like creating cultured meat or converting food waste into valuable resources. Inclusivity, social equitability, and diversity are core to these projects, ensuring a just transition to climate-smart agriculture. AG-ACt fosters cross-sector collaboration, enabling research findings from one project to inform and strengthen others, and empowering communities and participants to access and apply them effectively.
AG-ACt truly shines in turning generated knowledge into action. From farmers and communities to government agencies, policymakers, and not-for-profits, AG-ACt engagement drives climate-smart genomics research into policy and action. This helps propel Canada toward its net-zero goals and positions the country as a global leader in sustainable agriculture and agri-food production.
More about Genome Canada
Genome Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization supporting cutting-edge genomics research to address real-world challenges in health, agriculture, the environment, and beyond. By funding large-scale science and fostering collaboration among researchers, industry, and government, Genome Canada drives innovation nationwide. While the organization might not be familiar to everyone, the impact of their work is far-reaching. Advancements in personalized medicine, improved crop resiliency, and responses to public health crises, like COVID-19, often trace back to projects supported by Genome Canada. Due to these efforts, Canadians benefit daily from genomic research, whether through improved healthcare or a more sustainable food system.
One example is the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems (CSAFS) initiative that houses AG-ACt, a $30M investment in genomics-driven innovations aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of Canada’s food systems.
Interested in Getting Involved?
To engage with AG-ACt and this interdisciplinary collaboration, visit the Climate-Smart Agri-Food Network page and sign-up for the Climate-Smart Agri-Food Network newsletter. Together, we can help Canada’s agricultural systems adapt, thrive, and lead the way in sustainable food production.
