Husband and wife egg farmers, William and Lynne Gray, along with L.H. Gray and Son Limited, have made a substantial donation to enhance sustainability and innovation in the Canadian poultry and egg industry.
The University of Guelph has announced the receipt of a $3.5 million gift from the William and Lynne Gray Foundation and L.H. Gray and Son Limited. This generous contribution will establish the Bill and Lynne Gray Chair in Advanced Poultry Technology Management within the Department of Animal Biosciences at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).
The donation aims to support the advancement of technologies and systems crucial for sustainable and profitable production in the Canadian poultry and egg sector, with the ultimate goal of enhancing its competitiveness on the global market.
The chair’s responsibilities include collaborating closely with faculty in the School of Engineering on environmental control issues, such as lighting, ventilation, sanitation, and biosecurity. Additionally, the chair will play a significant role in the planning and operations of the Ontario Poultry Research Centre in Elora.
The investment is seen as an opportunity to further the university’s mission of improving the Canadian and global food system. The establishment of the chair will strengthen OAC’s capabilities in poultry production research and teaching.
In addition to funding the chair, the Gray family’s donation will also support an annual scholarship aimed at attracting talented individuals to pursue careers in the Canadian poultry and egg industry. This initiative underscores their commitment to nurturing future leaders in the field.
The impact of this donation extends beyond the poultry and egg sector, benefiting the general public by promoting food security and sustainability. The collaboration between the Gray family and the University of Guelph exemplifies a shared commitment to driving positive change in the agricultural industry
