Canada
The Eighth international “Fascination of Plants Day” will be launched by plant scientists across the world under the umbrella of the European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO).
La huitième journée internationale de célébration des plantes, intitulée “Fascination of Plants Day” 2026 (FoPD 2026), va être lancée par des scientifiques du monde entier sous l’égide de l’Organisation Européenne pour la Science Végétale (European Plant Science Organisation, EPSO).
The goal of this activity is to get as many people as possible around the world fascinated by plants and enthused about the importance of plant science for agriculture and sustainable production of nutritious food, as well as for horticulture, forestry and the production of plant-based non-food products such as paper, timber, chemicals, energy and pharmaceuticals. The role of plants in environmental conservation is also a key message.
Everybody is welcome to join this initiative!
Le but de cette manifestation est de faire en sorte que le plus grand nombre de personnes autour du globe soient fascinées par les plantes et conscientes de l’importance des sciences végétales pour l’agriculture et la production durable de nourriture, ainsi que pour l’horticulture, la foresterie et des productions non alimentaires à base de plantes, telles que le papier, le bois de construction, l’énergie et des molécules utiles à l’industrie chimique et pharmaceutique. Le rôle des plantes dans la conservation de l’environnement est également un message clé.
CPMA is excited to announce its inaugural Harvest on the Hill event which will take place November 24-25, in Ottawa. Building on the success of previous Fall Harvest events, this two-day advocacy event will bring together industry members and government officials to discuss important issues impacting our sector today.
Harvest on the Hill offers industry members a crucial opportunity to ensure the fresh produce sector’s voice is heard and considered by decision-makers. Participants will engage in targeted meetings with key Members of Parliament, Senators and senior government officials highlighting our key advocacy asks, gain insights from speaker and panel sessions, and network with industry colleagues and Parliamentarians at our evening reception.
sources: Harvest on the Hill
registration: harvest-on-the-hill-schedule-august-2026.pdf
photo source: Harvest on the Hill
Trade Show for horticulture
and landscaping professionals
November 18, 19 and 20, 2026 – Espace Saint-Hyacinthe
2670 Beauparlant Avenue – Saint-Hyacinthe – J2S 4M8
Registration
From November 18 to 20, 2026, at Espace Saint-Hyacinthe, Expo Québec Vert will once again bring together nearly 6,000 professionals from the horticulture and outdoor landscaping sectors for three days dedicated to the products, solutions and ideas shaping the industry.
Photo & Source: Expo Québec Vert – Irresistible for 40 years!
From November 18 to 20, 2026, at Espace Saint-Hyacinthe, Expo Québec Vert will once again bring together nearly 6,000 professionals from the horticulture and outdoor landscaping sectors for three days dedicated to the products, solutions and ideas shaping the industry.
Under the theme “Let Yourself Be Surprised”, the 2026 edition will offer a new way to experience the Expo, organized around five themed experiences designed to help visitors discover new ideas and navigate the show according to their interests.
photo source: Expo Québec Vert – Irresistible for 40 years!
The Canadian Greenhouse Conference is an annual 2-day gathering for commercial greenhouse flower, vegetable, cannabis, berry, and nursery growers. This conference attracts growers from across North America, gathers experts from around the world, and showcases innovative production techniques, research, products,
and technology.
46e5e7_5960c92639df47f99074d48dd50e8271.pdf
Photo and info Source: Event Gallery | CndnGreenhouseConf
Inclusive Canadian Horticulture from Coast to Coast to Coast
The 2026 CSHS National Annual Conference will celebrate Canadian horticultural innovations and collaborations from Coast to Coast to Coast. We are thrilled to welcome our regional Indigenous partners from Glooscap First Nation and the Annapolis Valley First Nation, as well as our peers in horticultural science and technology from across Canada.
We expect up to one hundred delegates, including experts in horticultural crop genetics, physiology, pest and disease management, Indigenous and Northern horticulture, horticulture technology, and more. Among these will be the next generation of science leaders, presenting rich opportunities for knowledge exchange and future collaboration. We will award exceptional students with cash prizes to recognize their research achievements.
The Conference Chair is Dr. Béatrice Amyotte, who leads the national small fruit germplasm development program for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). She is an ally and collaborator for Indigenous-led berry research.
The Local Chair is Dr. Zoë Migicovsky, Canada Research Chair in Agri-Food and Sustainable Agriculture at Acadia University. Her laboratory studies the diversity of perennial fruit plants and their crop wild relatives from genomic and phenomic perspectives.
The Indigenous Chair is Mrs. Heather Berry, a proud member of the Mohawks of Kahnawake and the Deputy Director of Indigenous Science at AAFC.
Our Society President is Dr. Lord Abbey, Professor of Horticulture at Dalhousie University. His laboratory studies the technological development and valorization of health-based sustainable food systems and food security.
On behalf of the CSHS and our conference committee, we are pleased to welcome participants from across Canada and beyond to Mi’kma’ki to share in this opportunity for science, collaboration, and learning.
Wednesday, June 17 – Local Tour and Welcome Reception
The conference begins with a local tour of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, including:
- A showcase of the AAFC Kentville Research and Development Centre
- Lunch at a local winery
- A visit to Webster Farms, owned by the Annapolis Valley First Nation
In the evening, delegates will gather at the Acadia University KC Irving Centre Garden Room for a Welcome Reception and Mixer.
Thursday, June 18 – Indigenous-Led Horticulture and Food Systems
The first day of conference sessions focuses on Indigenous-led horticulture projects and community food initiatives.
Highlights include:
- Opening ceremony by Elder Dr. Lorraine Whitman
- Keynote presentation by Dr. Kyle Bobiwash (University of Manitoba)
- Presentations by Indigenous Chair Mrs. Heather Berry and other invited speakers
- CSHS Annual General Meeting chaired by Dr. Lord Abbey
- Indigenous Talking Circle reflecting on inclusive and secure food systems
In the evening, Student Chair Sarah Drury will host a Paint, Pub, and Bonfire event for student delegates.
Friday, June 19 – Innovation and Adaptation in Horticulture
The second day expands the discussion to horticultural innovation and adaptation.
The program includes:
- Keynote Address by Dr. Shahpour Alirezaee (University of Windsor) on artificial intelligence in horticulture
- Regional perspectives on climate adaptation and resilience from:
- Dr. Harrison Wright (AAFC Plant Physiologist)
- Dr. Vicky Levesque (AAFC Soil Health Scientist)
Breakout sessions will cover:
- Crop improvement
- Fruit crops
- Horticulture technology
- Vegetable production
These sessions will feature invited speakers, researchers, and graduate student presenters.
Poster Session
An open poster session will showcase graduate and undergraduate student research, accompanied by refreshments and community engagement opportunities.
Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony
The evening will conclude with a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the Fountain Commons Great Hall.
Featured speakers include:
- Dr. Shahrokh Khanizadeh, reflecting on the history and importance of the CSHS
- Dr. Raphael Ofoe, discussing his experiences as an early-career academic in horticultural science
Awards will be presented by Dr. Vasantha Rupasinghe to recognize outstanding student oral and poster presentations.
Saturday, June 20 – Looking to the Future
The final day opens with plenary lectures from:
- Dr. Gurpreet Singh Selopal (Dalhousie University)
- Dr. Jayasankar Subramanian (University of Guelph)
Their presentations will focus on nanotechnology and contemporary plant breeding.
After coffee, delegates may participate in two free technical workshops.
R Data Science Skills Workshop
Hosted by:
- Dr. Danielle Quinn
- Ms. Paige Levangie
- Mr. Terrell Roulston
The workshop covers:
- Data manipulation
- Data visualization
- Introduction to GIS
- Basic modelling in R
The session is designed for all experience levels, from beginners to regular users.
Grant Writing Workshop
Hosted by Dr. Kirk Hillier, with panelists:
- Dr. Lord Abbey (Dalhousie University)
- Dr. Bourlaye Fofana (AAFC)
- Dr. Simone Castellarin (University of British Columbia)
- Dr. Marco Todesco (University of British Columbia)
Topics include:
- The Canadian funding landscape
- Characteristics of strong proposals
- Common pitfalls in grant applications
- Strategic grant development
- Practical grant-writing tools for natural sciences researchers
Copies of Dr. Kirk Hillier’s new book, Rebel Researcher: The Unconventional Path to Discovery, will also be available for purchase.
Conference Closing
The conference will conclude at 12:30 PM on Saturday, June 20.
Every year, Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture campus hosts a Community Day in the summer, bringing the local community together to learn about the research advancements happening in agriculture at Dalhousie. As part of this event, we showcase our research findings in engaging and creative ways. One of our highlights is the Plant Giveaway, where we distribute prepared and rooted Mexican mint (Plectranthus amboinicus) cuttings to community members. We prepare approximately 300 cuttings specifically for this purpose, making it a hands-on and meaningful way to connect our research with the community.
The Canadian Society for Horticultural Science (CSHS) is hosting a photo contest and we want to see your best shots!
Gardenscape is an annual horticulture trade and education show, the largest in Saskatchewan with over 15,000-20,000 people from the general public entering over 2.5 days.
The University of Saskatchewan and our Department of Plant Sciences participate in this event with many educational displays.