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Ag in Brief: FarmOp Capital expands, new ag hub in GTA

New hub for aspiring ag entrepreneurs in the GTA

Seneca College has partnered with the Kingbridge Centre in King Township, north of Toronto, to create an innovation hub to help young entrepreneurs build and scale businesses in agriculture, food production and processing and more. The two parties will share resources in both business development and applied research. The goal is to create a better innovative ecosystem in York Region while harnessing the unique assets of King Township. Seneca will provide access for aspiring entrepreneurs fo its business incubator and accelerator, Helix, while the Kingbridge Centre and its affiliated entity, Ekagrata Inc., will leverage its executive management strengths and risk capital investment experience to assist in training. There’s an additional goal to engage with community members and address employment gaps for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USask hires new director for LFCE

Scott Wright has been named the director of University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE). His appointment is effective May 19. Previously, Bruce Coulman served as interim director. There will be a short transition period for the two. Wright has held numerous leadership positions in agriculture including executive director with USask’s Feeds Innovation Institute, as well as director positions with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

FarmOp Capital expands, bolsters staff

FarmOp Capital has bolstered its staff as a result of increased demand for operating loans. New hires include: Todd Branson, inbound business development manager; Holly Reder, loan processor; Landon Morris, VP of strategic marketing; Michi Eichinger, loan accounting specialist; and Grant Seymour, loan accounting specialist. The company is also expanding its corporate office in St. Paul, MN. Formerly located in the U.S. Bank Building, the company recently completed its move to the Wells Fargo Center in downtown St. Paul.