Something I’ve done that I’m proud of. Again, there are a few things but what rises to the top of my mind is my involvement with a research grant application.

Technically, it was two applications. The first was for preparatory funding for an NSERC/SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture research initiative. If awarded, we could get up to $50, 000.00 to put towards writing the main grant application. This money could be used as the researcher(s) saw useful in aiding them creating a strong main application.

My friend Chris asked me to a part of this team, along with two of his fellow professors, and another friend of his who worked at a feedlot in Manitoba. Chris had an idea, and together we flushed out the basis of the idea (in two weeks). Below is the media excerpt of the preparatory application.

“Our goal is to generate a renewable energy source through an Anaerobic Biodigester to reduce solid wastes, managing the nutrients in the manure, reduce the greenhouse gases that are produced, and control the on-site stockpiles of manure. This system can generate electricity savings for the facility as well as potentially accommodate other local sources by taking on their waste and digestate nutrients locally. Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in natural sciences and engineering as well as the social sciences and humanities. We will collaborate with a local feedlot as well as a network of knowledge mobilization partners to maximize the impact of our research.“

Mid-June 2023 we got word – we had been selected. However, due to the sheer volume of applications, the committee had decided to reduce the maximum amount awarded so more research teams could get funding. Not deterred, and with funding in place, so began the serious job of creating the main application.

The team spent the summer traveling to Manitoba (and once to Ontario). I was in contact with people I once knew at my old job who pioneered research in biodigesters here in Alberta. We were off. We added a few more team members from other universities and a college (as our ideas were sound and captured the imagination of a couple large industry partners). The small town in the area was on board, we had farmers wanting to work with us. It was a strong idea with good ties to the community.

On November 8, 2023 at the last possible moment, we submitted our application, and so began the very long wait. Included below is the media excerpt from the main application.

“As we advance into the second decade of the twenty-first century, our ever changing world brings with it new challenges and expectations. The shift towards locally grown, climate-conscious, and pasture-raised food products is on the rise, and the idea of the commercial farm is losing ground. Evolving regulations and a decision to move away from chemical fertilizers has left many Canadian farmers looking for solutions. Coupled with this is a push away from fossil fuels, requiring a new sustainable source of energy to make up the difference. Many farms produce both manure and crop residue, which are both perfectly viable sources of energy. However, their production rate typically exceeds that of a conventional anaerobic digester. Even for a mini-digester, the capital costs are prohibitive. Our team is focused on finding an affordable, sustainable, more efficient, and effective solution that can be configured to operate on Canadian farms of all shapes and sizes.

It is our intent to deconstruct the conventional digester, and enhance the inner workings by re-imagining the microbial environment and leveraging how the microbiology works within the digester. Creating a unit that repurposes a portion of the produced biogas to permit a customizable operating temperature, will both enhance biogas production, and reduce retention time. This will enable the units to be self-sustaining, even in the most variable of Canadian winters.“

Originally, they were to release the successful candidates on March 1, 2024, once again, due to the overwhelming number of applications, they delayed it until nearly the end of May.

I firmly believe we put forth an amazing, strong, and well written application. Our science, while theoretical, was sound. However, we were not successful. The competition was strong, and as I’ve learned, you are only as successful as the person assessing your application. Which, from the feedback we received, was in places, clear was not well understood.

Undeterred, we are still seeking out funding opportunities. This is a strong proposal. I believe firmly in what we have put together. I am immensely proud to have been involved in it (and I continue to be involved in it). I have contributed my ideas, I acted as the project manager from the outset of the project, so I have a vested interest.

It is something I will always look at with pride. I am proud of the work we did and continue to do. I am proud of the team I got to work with. I am proud of every thing I got to learn, see, and do. I was an amazing experience and one I will never forget.

Post inspired by 30 Days of Gratitude by Ordinary & Happy