Far-North farmers connect to national agri-food innovation network

Canada’s largest agri-food focused innovation network is now connected to farmers “North of 60” in the Yukon.

Posted: Jan 27, 2023

See more News


pexels maximilian ruther 11546829

Yukon Agricultural Association joins Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine

Guelph/Whitehorse, 27 January 2023 – Canada’s largest agri-food focused innovation network is now connected to farmers “North of 60” in the Yukon. The Yukon Agricultural Association has become a Knowledge & Development Partner of Bioenterprise Canada, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine.

The partnership between the two organizations expands Bioenterprise’s footprint in northern Canada and opens a nation-wide network of resources, experts, mentorship and funding opportunities to farmers and farm businesses in the Yukon. This will expand efforts of Yukon University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship department and embrace opportunities and challenges across Yukon’s agri-food sector.

“There is tremendous potential in the food-tech and agri-tech sector in Canada’s north. We are excited to learn more from the northern producers’ experience and build relationships with the people, businesses and organizations who are pushing the industry forward in Yukon,” says Bioenterprise Canada CEO Dave Smardon. “A strong agri-food sector across all regions of Canada is essential to helping this country meet its environment and sustainability goals, and we look forward to working with Yukon Agricultural Association.”

The Yukon Agricultural Association represents the agriculture industry in the Yukon with the goal of encouraging the growth of a sustainable sector that is essential to the economic and social well-being of the territory. By joining Bioenterprise Canada, the association looks to facilitate innovation and growth opportunities for Yukon agriculture and agri-foods, encourage new collaborations, and build deeper networks across the Canadian innovation ecosystem.

“We look forward to being part of the Engine to enable connections with expertise, companies, organizations, and institutions from across Canada to assist the expansion of agriculture in Yukon,” says Yukon Agricultural Association Executive Director Carl Burgess. “Our vision is continued growth in Yukon’s agri-food sector to satisfy the increasing need and demand for Yukon-based foods. Our mission is to support the growth of food production and processing that is commercially competitive, community minded, and environmentally sustainable.”

About Bioenterprise Canada

Bioenterprise Canada is Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine, bringing 20 years of industry experience and a global network of research institutions, academia, mentors and experts, government, and industry to help small and medium-sized businesses in the sector nationwide Connect, Innovate, and Grow. Through its experienced service partner network, Bioenterprise offers a wide range of expertise and support to its clients, and partnerships with other industries help open doors to new technologies and platforms to help food and agri-tech businesses innovate and grow.

About Yukon Agricultural Association
Yukon Agricultural Association represents the agriculture industry in the territory in dealings with governments and other organizations and has provided cross-commodity support, events, and program services for the development of the agriculture sector in the Yukon for more than 45 years.

-30-

For more information:
Dave Smardon, Bioenterprise Canada, dave.smardon@bioenterprise.ca or (519) 821-2960
Carl Burgess, Yukon Agricultural Association, ExecutiveDirector@YukonAg.ca or (867) 668-6864

Not yet following us on social media? Follow Bioenterprise on TwitterLinkedInTikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for industry news, events, and business development opportunities.