Guests: Dr. Rob Newell, Associate Director, Food and Agriculture Institute, and Dr. Lenore Newman, Canada Research Chair in Food Security and Environment, University of the Fraser Valley

The emerging technologies and techniques of the so-called fourth agricultural revolution, such as vertical and cellular agriculture, could potentially play a powerful role in transitions toward sustainable food systems. These technologies and techniques could support high-yield food production methods, with short supply chains and low environmental footprints, but technology alone does not comprise a sustainable solution. 

Samantha Charlton speaks with Dr. Newell and Dr. Newman about their research that is applying an interdisciplinary lens to understanding, and managing, the sustainability and equity outcomes of new agri-technologies. 

Climate resilience, agricultural land protection, food security, labour, employment, power relations, governance, and animal ethics, there is a lot to consider when evaluating agri-technology. This episode dives into how research can help consider these factors and inform the development and implementation of policies and strategies that take social and cultural implications into account. 

You can learn more research on emerging agricultural technologies at the Food & Agriculture Institute . 

Today’s guests joined us from the University of the Fraser Valley, situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. 

Project funders include SSHRC, Genome BC, Genome Ontario, Future Skills Center and Mitacs.