Research Projects

A Report, Videos, and Case Studies to showcase the importance of the Holland Marsh to Ontario’s economy and food supply. Click here to see more.

The Holland Marsh Growers Association is pleased to make available a copy of the strategic planning report prepared and endorsed by the HMGA. The report provides some insights into issues facing vegetable producers in the Holland Marsh and surrounding areas with respect to the sustainability of vegetable production. The report is presented in six sections followed by appendices providing further documentation. The report serves as a blueprint for the association as it seeks to remove constraints to economic growth and a reminder of the scale of efforts required to reach longer term sustainability. HMGA wishes to thank OMAFRA for the funding for this project. For more information, please contact Jody Mott, Executive Director, HMGA. Click here to download.

A significant research project, spearheaded by the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association and funded through the Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund is underway to protect our freshwater supply. The project involves the evaluation of innovative whole-farm approaches to find effective and efficient treatment technologies and methods to reduce risks to water quality in the Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay through the Nottawasaga Valley, Severn Sound, and Lake Simcoe watersheds. Water is a critical tool for farmers, who are committed to minimizing the impact on the environment for the benefit of the community in which they live. Find more information on the project on the website.

Antioxidant effects of Ontario-grown onion varieties have not yet been studied. The objective of this project is to study the diversity in the antioxidant profiles of Ontario Grown onions and use the correct varieties to develop functional food traits. Flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol and myricetin from Ontario-grown onion varieties will be extracted using environmentally friendly extraction processes such as Ultra-high pressure processing and low polarity water extraction technology. The effect of bioactive functional compounds from onion varieties on the influence of oxidative stress will be explored using antioxidant assays. Investigation of the mechanisms behind the antioxidant properties of the volatile compounds of onions will provide new strategies for developing novel health products in the food industry. Understanding the chemistry behind bioactives and their impact on health through the linkage between onion flavonoids and its antioxidant properties will help to design and develop novel onion based nutraceutical and health products for food and pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Neethirajan and his research team at the Bionano laboratory of the University of Guelph will investigate the traits such as antioxidant contents of Ontario-grown onions, which will enhance the marketability of these onions both locally, as well as for export.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Suresh Neethirajan, PhD., P.Eng BioNano Laboratory Biological Engineering University of Guelph