Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan is very pleased to partner with Dr. Stuart Smyth and his team at the University of Saskatchewan, working on a new project within the Agri-Food Innovation and Sustainability Enhancement Chair.
Dr. Smyth is leading the charge to establish a “Knowledge Mobilization Lab”. The intent is to help identify and share important research results that can inform agricultural policies in Canada, as well as contributing to better informing Canadians about sustainable food production.
Smyth’s team, which includes professional research associate Simona Lubieniechi, research officer Savannah Gleim and research assistants Chelsea Sutherland and Claire Williams, along with Masters students Judson Christopherson and Kate Sauser, will identify key research reports and journal articles and then develop policy briefs, short videos, graphics and tables that can be used to communicate with policy makers and the public. They will also coordinate a network of agriculture organizations to utilize and share this information.
A workshop in April brought key stakeholders from Canada’s agriculture sector to Saskatoon to discuss priorities for communications resources as they relate to research results. Key discussion topics included sustainability and biodiversity, innovation and research funding and agricultural trade and export. Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan staff were please to assist in facilitating the workshop.
Going forward, Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan will work with our own member groups to identify research reports, and pass these on to the Knowledge Mobilization Lab team. We’ll also share information produced with members and work to make it suitable for sharing with a consumer audience through platforms such as Canadian Food Focus.
Are you aware of a research study or project that you wish could be distilled down into clear speaking points or graphics to share with policy makers and other stakeholders? Please reach out to us with your ideas.
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan has always valued its strong relationship with the University of Saskatchewan and welcomes the opportunity to work more closely with Dr. Smyth’s team on this important project.