Restoring ecological function from seed to landscape
A special presentation by Christopher Wooding, Ironwwood Organics. Brought to you by the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the McGill School of Environment. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Feeding the world sustainably in the 21stcentury implies growing healthy, nutrient-dense food while preserving, even restoring, the ecological function of the land as it relates to biodiversity, stability, and resilience in a changing climate. Christopher Wooding embraces with passion that vital mission from seed to landscape. At Ironwood Organics, land stewardship means engaging in strategies that value the adaptive potential of heritage crop varieties, the cycling of moisture, carbon and nutrients, and the many services nature provides through an interconnected mosaic of diverse habitats. Chris will share insights on the challenges and benefits of sustainable food production for healthy communities in partnership with the Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust to integrate food production systems into a wider conservation framework.
The Thousand Islands Watershed Land Trust is a conservation organization devoted to protecting one of Canada's most biologically significant regions. The lands associated with the Trust in Eastern Ontario, in conjunction with Ironwood Organics farm, create a rich and diverse living laboratory for reconciling food production and biodiversity conservation.
Thanks to the support of the Bauta family, the Bauta Family 2020 Award (value: $7000) will allow an MSE student to benefit from a unique immersive experience with Ironwood Organics and the TIWLT in summer 2020.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Christopher Wooding is the owner of Ironwood Organics, a diverse certified organic farm that specializes in growing heritage grains and a variety of other crops. He is also the proud miller at the Old Stone Mill, a 210-year old gristmill in Delta, Ontario. Chris’ path to organic farming came from a fascination with complex systems when he ran a GIS consultant business. He has spoken at numerous events across Canada and in the United States, sharing practitioner’s insights about our food system and the true cost and benefits of sustainable farming.