b'The Blockchain Revolution BeginsDoug Miller is managing director of certification and technology services for the Canadian Seed Growers Association.Canadian food, how its grown, and the relationship consumersMore Money for Farmerswant with farmers and those who process their food. Blockchain is a relatively new technology, so pilots like this Public Opinion: A Study of Canadian Conversationsare required to determine what type of value it can provide, Online on Food and Farming led by the Canadian Centre forMiller says.Food Integrity uncovered how food, farming and a handfulBlockchain is often associated in the minds of the public of hot button issues capture national interest in millions ofwith cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, notes Grain Discovery CEO conversations online. The issues Canadians are most engagedRory OSullivan. An Ontario-based startup, the company uses with include climate change and the links to food production,blockchain technology to create efficient, transparent and organic foods, and discussions on GMOs. secure transactions in the ag space.Blockchain presents an opportunity for the seed industry toPeople hear the word blockchain and they often get a be a part of those conversations by showing the consumer hownegative image in their mind. Now that the initial buzz about their food is produced. blockchain has died down, we can show people that this Miller echoes recent recommendations from the Agri-Foodtechnology is a great tool with very practical applications that Economic Strategy Table, which advises blockchain pilots bewill make a difference in their lives, OSullivan says.done immediately in low-risk environments to provide insightsAgriculture is moving away from being a pure commodity for the rest of the industry on how the technology can bebusiness to an ingredients business, where consumers look at applied. a crop as something very personal to them. This project is the Projects like this allow the agriculture industry to look underfirst mile of the journey to see how blockchain will fit into the the hood, so to speak, and see how this technology reallysupply chain.works. Blockchain has been surrounded by so much hype thatAnd that, he believes, is why farmers stand to reap the people often have the wrong idea about it. financial benefits that blockchain could present.Spring 2020 49'