PARC science director Barry Grace has both regional and national


responsibilities.


from considering how natural biodiversity impacts on agro- ecosysystems such as with new invasives, to how agro-ecology impacts natural systems, with leaching of chemicals off-farm, for instance. In addition, he looks at the biological diversity of plants and animals used in agriculture and the use of cryo- preservation techniques to be able to respond quickly if needed to re-establish a species.


Across the country, 10 other science directors are responsible for such portfolios as climate change or water at the 20 research facilities.


In recent years, technology has had a considerable impact on research work, as well as on how farms are operated, from computerized irrigation and fertilization to the use of computers to handle


complicated computations in the lab.


“Agriculture is no longer just about the plow,” says Krishna- Raj.


“All areas of science too have been impacted by new technology.”


With scientists in areas such as soils, plants and dairy all working in the same facility, the natural linkages between such disciplines are exploited. KrishnaRaj believes such multi- disciplinary work is at the core of innovation.


NEW STABILITY The new appointments of KrishnaRaj in Agassiz and Kenna McKenzie as research manager in Summerland adds stability to management of the centres, notes Grace, who is also responsible for the Kamloops range centre research unit. Grace also has a background in research science, specifically in farming system ecology, and he believes it’s important the top administrators at the research centres have a science background.


In addition to his regional duties, Grace has a national responsibility for biodiversity, ranging from the gene bank in Saskatchewan to the natural history collection in Ottawa, farm animal germplasm and taxonomists.


His responsibilities range British Columbia Berry Grower • Fall 2011 13


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