As a recognized leader in food, farming and horticulture science education, Durham College (DC) used its skills and expertise, and the generous support of The Barrett Family Foundation, to establish the Barrett Centre.

The Barrett Centre’s vision is an internationally recognized hub of excellence in urban agricultural practices, research, education and training, to address some of society’s biggest challenges including food insecurity, access to safe and stable supplies of fresh food, and economic stability and regeneration of land for local food production.

This includes a dynamic urban farm as a community-based living lab, replicating and scaling the successful farming operations already established at the college’s Whitby campus as a model for other urban farms.

Some of the biggest challenges facing society today include food insecurity, access to a safe and stable supply of fresh food, economic stability and environmental regeneration of the land for local food production.

The adoption of a holistic and sustainable approach to urban agriculture, and vertical and regenerative farming methods offers socio-economic solutions that build resiliency into our communities, create financial opportunities for people, and solve food insecurity issues while also enhancing soil and air quality. The Barrett Centre will be a model of best practices in urban agriculture that will serve as a leading-edge example for education, research and farming locally, nationally and globally.