March 22, 2018
Seneca News
Breakfast Television visits Seneca’s urban farming unit
TV host calls on-campus unit "farm of the future"
When tech-expert and Breakfast Television host Winston Sih arrived at Ripple Farm’s urban unit at Newnham Campus, he knew he was someplace innovative.
“This is the farm of the future … I’m so excited to be here” says Winston.
Taking an early morning tour with Sustainable Business Management grad and HELIXer Brandon Hebor, four live segments were broadcast on Tuesday, March 20.
Each segment gave viewers an inside look at the process behind this unique farm-to-fork system on campus. Seneca student and employee, Paula Echeveste Petrone, showed how she harvests fresh aquaponic crops on campus, including kale, romaine lettuce, parsley and mint. Chef Nancy from Dining Services then uses the produce to make healthy options in the Seneca cafeteria, such as green smoothies and tabbouleh salad.
This urban farming unit is Ripple Farms’ second location – the first at Evergreen Brickworks – and it brings its founders, Brandon and Steven Bourne, back to their roots. “We were young lads with a picture and a dream,” says Brandon beaming. “We came to Chris Dudley at Seneca’s HELIX and he helped us, and supported us since day one.”
For your own tour of Ripple Farms at Seneca, visit Newnham Campus during Open House on Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.