Skyler Richardson
Noah Wilkie
Acadia University
Kent Williams
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DeLong Farms employs regenerative farming techniques, aiming to enhance soil and environmental conditions for the benefit of future generations. An example of the work they do is their SMART Christmas tree seedlings and a community farm stand. Through their work, the business seeks to provide a better-maintained land, water, and climate which correlates highly with SDG 13, Climate Action.
The use of SMART seedlings in the production of balsam fir Christmas trees is an innovative approach that makes a substantial contribution to numerous UN Sustainable Development Goals. SMART seedlings, which stand for 'senescence modulated abscission regulating technologies', use advanced genetic technologies to select and develop seedlings with desired characteristics. This effort improves the quality of Christmas trees by encouraging the growth of trees with superior aesthetics, longevity, and resilience.
In line with Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, this innovation encourages consumers to make more sustainable choices by providing high-quality trees that reduce waste associated with artificial trees. Furthermore, by focusing on planting healthier trees with faster growth rates, the project contributes to Goal 13: Climate Action. The usage of SMART seedlings contributes to climate change mitigation and ecosystem resilience by increasing carbon storage and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, by promoting sustainable forest management techniques, the initiative supports Goal 15: Life on Land. SMART seedlings help to maintain the health and vitality of terrestrial ecosystems by conserving biodiversity and preserving habitats. In summary, incorporating SMART seedlings into balsam fir Christmas tree manufacturing provides a comprehensive answer to critical sustainability issues, producing a more resilient and sustainable environment for current and future generations.
Jenni gains new inspiration to do the work she does every day. Since entering her position six years ago, Jenni says every day is a high point, and every day is different. Jenni said, “You have to be engaged and passionate, and it makes you feel alive. As a farm laborer, working with large wild animals is invigorating in itself, and I grew up never being able to do that because I didn’t have the experience and because I was a girl in a traditional farming family.” Now, Jenni can wrangle cattle, which are ten times her size, so being able to take on that large of a role has been a large stepping point in her career. Being a young woman, running teams of grown men in a male-dominated work force while only having six years under her belt, has also been a high-level responsibility to take on. On top of working with cattle, Jenni has been running off what she has been given; her farm stand, social media, and her gap audit.
This project aims to improve the quality of balsam fir Christmas trees by employing SMART seedlings. SMART seedlings use modern technology in seedling selection and breeding to improve desired qualities like growth rate, form, and needle retention. Researchers and growers hope to use SMART seedlings to produce Christmas trees that are more visually appealing and live longer, hence improving the whole customer experience throughout the holiday season.
Genome Atlantic spearheaded this program, which involved corporate partners and researchers from numerous institutions. The study used advanced genetic techniques to identify and produce exceptional balsam fir seedlings. Through meticulous selection and breeding techniques, SMART seedlings with ideal qualities were cultivated and given to Christmas tree growers around the region, including DeLong Farms.
In the short term, the use of SMART seedlings has led to immediate increases in the quality and look of balsam fir Christmas trees. Growers reported higher growth rates, better needle retention, and more uniform shape in their trees. These benefits should lead to enhanced consumer pleasure and, perhaps, higher sales for growers. In the long run, widespread adoption of SMART seedlings has the potential to make the Christmas tree industry more sustainable and profitable by providing consistent high-quality products year after year.
This project aims to improve the quality of balsam fir Christmas trees by employing SMART seedlings. SMART seedlings use modern technology in seedling selection and breeding to improve desired qualities like growth rate, form, and needle retention. Researchers and growers hope to use SMART seedlings to produce Christmas trees that are more visually appealing and live longer, hence improving the whole customer experience throughout the holiday season.
Genome Atlantic spearheaded this program, which involved corporate partners and researchers from numerous institutions. The study used advanced genetic techniques to identify and produce exceptional balsam fir seedlings. Through meticulous selection and breeding techniques, SMART seedlings with ideal qualities were cultivated and given to Christmas tree growers around the region, including DeLong Farms.
In the short term, the use of SMART seedlings has led to immediate increases in the quality and look of balsam fir Christmas trees. Growers reported higher growth rates, better needle retention, and more uniform shape in their trees. These benefits should lead to enhanced consumer pleasure and, perhaps, higher sales for growers. In the long run, widespread adoption of SMART seedlings has the potential to make the Christmas tree industry more sustainable and profitable by providing consistent high-quality products year after year.
The use of SMART seedlings in balsam fir Christmas tree manufacturing has numerous benefits for both society and the environment. First, by improving the quality and longevity of Christmas trees, the innovation encourages consumers to exercise responsible consumerism. Higher-quality trees grown from SMART seedlings produce less waste since they live longer and are less likely to be rejected prematurely. This helps to reduce the total environmental impact of Christmas tree production and disposal.
Furthermore, the use of SMART seedlings promotes sustainable forestry practices, which benefit the environment in a variety of ways. Healthy and resilient trees grown from SMART seedlings contribute to capturing carbon and mitigating the consequences of climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Furthermore, the sustainable forest management methods encouraged by this innovation contribute to biodiversity conservation, habitat preservation, and the ecological integrity of wooded areas. This, in turn, assures the provision of key ecosystem services such as clean air, water, and soil stability, all of which are required for life to exist on land.
Additionally, the adoption of SMART seedlings can have positive socioeconomic impacts on local communities dependent on forestry industries. By enhancing the quality and marketability of Christmas trees, the innovation supports the livelihoods of tree growers and associated workers, contributing to rural development and economic resilience. Overall, the adoption of SMART seedlings in balsam fir Christmas tree production represents a win-win solution that benefits both society and the environment by promoting sustainable consumption, mitigating climate change, and supporting healthy ecosystems and communities.
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Jenni DeLong, Farm Labourer
DeLong Farms is a third-generation family-owned and operated business. The farm sells products ranging from eggs, beef, produce, flowers, and fresh fragrant balsam fir Christmas trees, and Christmas wreaths. Through the work they do, sustainable practice is a main driving factor for the farm, all the while prioritizing giving back to their community by supporting locals.