Elevating Trent University’s Sustainable-Agriculture Research

October 30, 2024

From left, Dr. Karen Thompson, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program coordinator; Karen Wickerson '87; Trent President Dr. Cathy Bruce; and Sherry Booth '98, associate vice-president Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. 

The Trent Research Farm continues to grow and enhance small-scale agriculture teaching and research thanks in part to generosity of Karen Wickerson ‘87 (Champlain College) 

The Trent Research Farm is elevating its leadership in sustainable agriculture thanks to generous support from Karen Wickerson ’87 (Champlain College) who has provided funding for a new well.  

“I’m delighted to support the Trent Farm to strengthen the research and hands-on learning in sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and help ensure food security for communities across Canada,” says Wickerson. “The Trent Farm is a much-needed site that blends Trent’s commitment to environmental research and its expertise in agroecosystem management while supporting students, academics, community members, and local farmers alike.” 

Progress continues at the Trent Farm, which cultivates momentous research relevant to local and regional small-scale farmers, serving as an outdoor laboratory and research hub to advance teaching, experiential learning for students, and engagement with the local farming communities.  

The Trent Farm serves as a model of how small-scale agriculture can be a positive interface with natural conditions, land, and water features while also contributing to food-security issues on a local, national, and global scale. Through innovative teaching and research partnerships, as well as collaborations with local food-justice organizations and crop industries, the Trent Farm will become a much-needed niche research hub that will model sustainable production and distribution of healthy, affordable food.  

“This has been an exciting first year of development at the new Trent Farm, with recent designation as a Research Centre and institutional support of infrastructure development,” said Dr. Karen Thompson, director of the Trent Research Farm and coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems program ”A diversity of on-farm trials has been initiated, in addition to planning for outreach events with community members and local producers.” 

A recent legacy gift from the late Bob and Margie Lightbody, two prominent alumni from Trent’s original class of 1964, also enhanced the Trent Farm by helping construct a new drive shed that provides much-needed equipment storage space.  

As a fitting tribute to the couple’s experience as farm dwellers themselves, barn board from the Lightbody family farm will be incorporated into the drive shed's design. An official unveiling and grand opening of the drive shed will take place in Spring 2025 to align with the growing season. 

Learn more about the impact of the Trent Research Farm as it continues to develop the necessary facilities and instrumentation to implement groundbreaking production methods to ensure long-term sustainable land use.