Cultivating Community Resilience: Masstown Market's Role in Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security at Dalhousie

Agriculture, community support and local business entrepreneurship is a powerful combination that can foster sustainable development and strengthen local economies. Community supported agriculture and small agricultural businesses can also play a vital role in addressing local food insecurity.

Such is the case with Masstown Market and alum Laurie Jennings, whose generous donation is fueling the Cultiv8 program at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture. This funding will help complete a climate battery greenhouse and provide student internships and programming to boost community food security and enhance entrepreneurship.

Masstown Market is a thriving family business which began as a farm-gate operation in the spring of 1969. Laurie grew up on the family farm and from an early age was involved in planting, harvesting and retailing. He graduated from Dalhousie in 1987 with a BSc in Biology.

Laurie is an icon in the local food movement and has been committed to supporting local business and local producers for many years. He has also established the Masstown Market Bursary to support students from Atlantic Canada enrolled at the Faculty of Agriculture who have an interest in starting or growing a family business in Atlantic Canada.

“The agricultural community in Nova Scotia holds a special place in my heart,” said Laurie, vice president, Masstown Market.  “Through the market, I've enjoyed building relationships with so many producers across the province and I am deeply committed to seeing this sector flourish,” he added. “What we need now, more than ever, are young people with a passion for agriculture and an entrepreneurial spirit. That's why I believe so strongly in Cultiv8. It’s a remarkable program that inspires the next generation of producers and entrepreneurs, equipping students with vital skills and knowledge. For me and my family, supporting this program is about so much more than agriculture—it’s about nurturing the dreams of young people who will one day sustain us all.”