Experimental Farm Stations Act Farm Debt Mediation Act Farm Credit Canada Act Farm Income Protection Act Farm Products Agencies Act Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act Research As part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Science and Technology Branch () has the mandate to propose solutions and opportunities based on science to support competitiveness and the sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector. It is also in the Branch's mandate to provide scientific information to inform departmental and governmental decision processes. Under the Experimental Farm Stations Act dating back to 1886, farm stations across Canada were established, including the Central Experimental Farm. The officers of these stations had the duty of conducting research in a number of specific areas pertinent to agricultural productivity and conservation, and of making the results of such research known by publication. Today, the Science and Technology Branch includes a national network of 20 Research and Development Centres and 30 satellite research locations. The Science and Technology Branch has approximately 2,200 employees, including some 400 research scientists. The goal of all activities is to address the major scientific challenges facing 21st century agricultural production systems: Increasing agricultural productivity, Enhancing environmental performance, Improving attributes for food and non-food uses, Addressing threats to the agriculture and agri-food value chain. Industry support Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also responsible for supporting corporate and local agricultural producers and suppliers. They do this through a variety of programs and services including Agri-Geomatics which develops products and services for internal and external users, and program facilitation. The department supports market growth through its market access and trade negotiation activities, and it works with Canada's provinces and territories to promote Canadian products. The department also supports industry by focusing on science and technology advances and helping producers mitigate risks. Notable people Botany Faith Fyles (1875-1961), botanical artist Felicitas Svejda (1920-2016), creator of the explorer roses Cereals and Pulses Nancy Ames, researcher of barley Vern Burrows (1930-2020), international authority on oat breeding and utilisation Jennifer Mitchell Fetch, expert in oat breeding Soon Jai Park (1937-2018), author of dry bean breeding program Charles E. Saunders (1867-1937), inventor of the 'Marquis' wheat cultivar Climate Change, Sustainable Agricultural Practices, and Nutrient Cycling Raymond Desjardins, expert in agricultural meteorology and climate change Barbara Cade-Menun, world leader in studying phosphorus cycling Guy Lafond (d. 2013), researcher in no-till farming Earth Observation Heather McNairn, specialist in remote sensing technology Elizabeth Pattey, specialist