A major expansion of northern-led food systems work is now underway at Memorial University’s Labrador Campus.
New resources will allow the Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems to deepen its community partnerships, broaden its land‑based learning programs, and dramatically increase access to agricultural training across the region.
The initiatives, made possible through a recent $800,000 multi‑year investment from RBC Foundation, mark a turning point for Pye Centre as it responds to growing demand from communities seeking tools, knowledge and support to strengthen local food security.
For Dr. Scott Neilsen, interim dean of the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies, the impact is clear.
“The Pye Centre is foundational to who we are as a campus,” he said. “This support allows us to expand the ways we work alongside northern growers, enhance our teaching and research and strengthen our role as a community‑rooted hub for food systems innovation across Labrador and the circumpolar North.”
Expanding access
At the heart of the new food farming initiatives is the creation of a digital farm — an online platform that will bring regionally relevant agricultural training to people, no matter where they live.
“It supports a vision rooted in resilience, collaboration and the belief that northern communities deserve the tools and resources to shape their own food futures.”
For remote communities, where travel, weather and cost often limit access to expertise, the platform represents a major shift.
Jamie Jackman, program co-ordinator of the Pye Centre, says the digital farm is going to change what’s possible for northern growers.
“People will be able to access training, videos and practical resources on their own time, in their own communities,” he said. “It removes barriers that have shaped food production in the North for generations.”
The platform will include interactive modules, greenhouse and composting tutorials, and evergreen educational videos co‑developed with community partners.
By 2029, Pye Centre aims to reach more than 1,000 highly engaged users across Labrador and the North.
On‑farm learning and wellness
The investment will also expand the Pye Centre’s on‑farm learning and wellness programs —experiences that bring together youth, elders, educators, health professionals and community organizations for hands‑on, land‑based learning.
The programs have become a defining feature of Pye Centre’s work, supporting mental wellness, intergenerational connection and community resilience.
“Some of the most powerful moments happen when people are simply on the land together,” Mr. Jackman said. “Young people planting their first potato seed. Elders picking strawberries with their grandchildren. Families breathing easier just by being outdoors. These programs are about food, yes — but they’re also about well-being, identity and belonging.”
With new resources, Pye Centre will co‑design expanded programming with partners across Labrador, strengthen mentorship for new farmers and increase opportunities for students to participate in land‑based education.
Growing a network
Since 2019, the Pye Centre has trialed dozens of cold‑hardy crops, expanded greenhouse capacity and supported a growing network of farmers through equipment sharing, workshops and knowledge exchanges.
The new investment will allow Pye Centre to deepen this work and broaden its reach across the North.
Mr. Jackman says that the Pye Centre staff has always believed that food sovereignty in Labrador must be shaped by northern knowledge and northern leadership.
“This investment strengthens that movement. It helps us grow a network of people who are feeding their families, their communities and future generations.”
Pye Centre will continue to collaborate with Indigenous organizations, local farmers, Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada and partners across the circumpolar North to advance community‑informed research and sustainable food systems practices.
Catalyst for long‑term change
For Labrador Campus, the initiatives supported by the RBC Foundation investment represent more than a project: they are a catalyst for long‑term, community‑driven change.
“This gift will change what’s possible for the Pye Centre and for communities across Labrador and the North,” Mr. Jackman said. “It supports a vision rooted in resilience, collaboration and the belief that northern communities deserve the tools and resources to shape their own food futures.”
Dr. Neilsen echoes that sentiment.
“This investment strengthens our mission as a northern‑led campus,” he said. “It supports the work our communities have asked us to do, and it ensures that the knowledge and solutions developed here will continue to grow for years to come.”
