St. Clair College joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Roundtable on Thursday (Nov 13) at the Royal Winter Fair, contributing alongside research leaders from across the province to showcase its commitment to applied research and workforce development in Southwestern Ontario.
Hosted by Minister Trevor Jones, the Roundtable convened in Salon 106 at Toronto's Enercare Centre, bringing together key voices from the agriculture and food sectors to discuss the future of research, innovation, and talent development in Ontario - and strengthen understanding between industry needs and research capabilities.
"Collaboration between government, academia, business and research partners is essential to building a sustainable and secure agri-food sector," said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. "Together, we are driving agricultural innovation that strengthens economic growth, supports environmental stewardship, and helps our farms and agribusinesses be agile in adapting to current and future challenges."
Representing St. Clair College were Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon, Director of Research and Innovation, and John Lopez, Program Manager, Research and Innovation. Their participation highlighted the College's role as a regional stronghold for education and applied research, with a portfolio that spanned greenhouse automation, climate-resilient viticulture, EV retrofits for rural logistics, and cold supply chain innovation.
"Our research is about solving problems and walking alongside our communities as we transitioned from industrial education to a digital' era," said Dr. Dhillon. "We are building a future where education, innovation, and research are inseparable. Every project we undertake from urban farming to Agri-tech is a step toward to a more inclusive and resilient Ontario."
Other event participants represented a diverse cross-section of Ontario's agricultural landscape, including meat, fish and poultry producers, fruit, vegetable, and grain farmers, food processors, and manufacturers, alongside representatives from Ontario colleges and universities.
"Each participant had the opportunity to share their challenges and opportunities, highlighting areas where further research could provide meaningful impact," said John Lopez, who noted key themes included the integration of AI, development of digital twins, robotics and automation to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, as well as the importance of developing future talent pipelines.
A central message that emerged was the need to involve grassroots farmers, processors, and manufacturers from the very beginning of research initiatives to ensure meaningful outcomes and strong adoption of new technologies.
Importantly, the event facilitated valuable networking opportunities during the meet-and-greet sessions before and after the roundtable discussions. These connections will enable St. Clair College Research and Innovation to follow up and build long-term partnerships that support the evolving needs of Ontario's agriculture industry.
Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness hosts a roundtable to discuss research and innovation at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto on Nov. 13, 2025. (John Lopez/St. Clair College)
St. Clair College's strategic location - anchored Downtown and Main Windsor Campus, as well as Chatham, places it at the epicentre of Canada's busiest international crossing.
This proximity to two international bridges, a tunnel, an airport, and major international shipping lanes uniquely positioned the College to lead in climate action anchored in dual purpose technologies, cross-border logistics, emergency preparedness, and talent mobility.
But its impact extends far beyond infrastructure. The College's applied research portfolio reflects a truly interdisciplinary approach spanning agriculture, wineries, urban farming, food insecurity, smart construction, and social and health innovation. With fewer bureaucratic barriers and a community-first ethos, St. Clair College mobilized knowledge to address urgent regional challenges while fostering inclusive, equitable, and future-ready solutions.
"We were proud to be a one-stop hub for research and innovation, where knowledge is mobilized to empower communities and drive change," said Dr. Dhillon. "But to continue this work, we need equitable access to funding resources that reflect the unique needs of our region and the urgency of the issues we are addressing."
The College's commitment to accessible, community-first research was reflected in its partner collaboration framework, which brought together not-for-profits, SMEs, and public agencies to co-develop policy-relevant white papers, grants, and training programs. St. Clair College continued to shape the future of Ontario's agri-food sector and beyond.
