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Niagara College and Walker Industries have formalized a two-year agreement to build real-world expertise in sustainable horticulture and drive circular economy innovation.
Under the agreement, Walker Industries contributes about 500 cubic yards of high-performance soil, mulch and growing media to the College each year. The materials support greenhouse production, campus landscaping and hands-on learning for students across the School of Environment and Horticulture.
From the greenhouse to the campus
The growing media will first be used in greenhouse trials. Plants are then moved across campus for environmental remediation work, including erosion control and the prevention of invasive plant species. Working with a single local supplier also helps reduce the College’s environmental footprint.
Plans are under way for formal product validation trials at the College’s Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, part of NC’s Research and Innovation division.
Learning by doing
“This collaboration is a powerful example of how industry and academia can co-create solutions for a more resilient future,” said NC President Sean Kennedy.
“Through our partnership with Niagara College, students are gaining practical experience with sustainable growing practices and learning how innovative products can help produce healthy, nutrient-rich plants while minimizing environmental impact,” said Geordie Walker, President and CEO of Walker Industries.
Second-year Horticulture Technician student Hayley Rempel, who is completing her co-op at the Teaching Greenhouse, said students see classroom concepts in action every day. “Rather than just learning about soil structure, water retention and drainage in textbooks, we get to see these concepts in action,” she said.
