Unleash the Power of Co-Creation: How Canada's Farms Are Revolutionizing Agriculture

DOYON+ was invited by the Living Lab in Open Innovation (LLio) to co-facilitate a national initiative in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The project aimed to introduce and immerse Ministry of Agriculture leaders, producers, farmers, and researchers into the transformative potential of the Living Lab approach for fostering collaboration and innovation in agricultural practices.

Through workshops held in Agassiz, St-Hyacinthe, Winnipeg, Guelph, and Charlottetown, DOYON+ co-facilitated sessions that engaged participants in exploring real-life agricultural challenges through a co-creation lens. Using examples grounded in their own regions and stakeholder dynamics, participants explored pressing issues such as climate adaptation, soil and water health, and biodiversity.

The workshops prioritized process and collaboration, guiding participants through structured exercises in empathy-building, collaborative problem-solving, and prototyping. This hands-on engagement allowed participants to experience the power of open innovation and adaptable frameworks in addressing their specific agricultural contexts. The sessions also highlighted the importance of fostering cross-sector partnerships, data sharing, and community engagement to drive sustainable solutions.

This initiative provided AAFC with region-specific recommendations for pilot projects aimed at enhancing environmental resilience and fostering collaboration across Canada’s agricultural landscape. By co-facilitating these workshops, DOYON+ helped participants gain practical insights into the Living Lab methodology, setting the stage for scalable and community-centered solutions to complex agricultural challenges.

This Living lab initiative demonstrated the transformative potential of co-creation, offering a roadmap for leveraging collective expertise and innovation to build a resilient agricultural future across Canada.