Researchers with the Rural Agricultural Innovation Network (RAIN) at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre have received $262,750 from FedNor to do agricultural studies specific to cool climates.

The funding will support regional applied crop and production testing, market feasibility and investment readiness projects during a three-year initiative, which will also raise awareness of available technological innovations to help businesses increase their productivity.

“There are significant opportunities to develop new value-added export products from Northern Ontario and, thanks to this FedNor investment, local producers will have the information they need to determine which crops would be the most fruitful,” Tom Vair, executive director of the innovation centre, said in a news release.

“Today’s announcement will help area agricultural businesses undertake cool climate-specific crop research to enhance their operations, develop diversification strategies and foster collaboration among industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and agricultural support organizations,” MP Bryan Hayes added.