The Canadian Foodgrains Bank says it’s pleased Canada has pledged to double the money it provides to developing countries for climate adaptation, which could include agricultural projects. “We are confident this support will have a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of people around the world, particularly small-scale farmers,” said CFGB executive director Andy Harrington in
Foodgrains Bank pleased with Canada’s aid pledge
Promised funds for international aid would bring Canada closer to a ‘fair share’ but aren’t locked in
Farmers’ fields menaced by joyriders
Signage, gates and stern talking-to’s don’t seem to help keep off-roaders off four St. Clements-area farmers’ fields
A group of St. Clements-area farmers say they are at their wits end after seeing crops repeatedly damaged by off-road vehicles. “It makes you want to quit,” said Ron Petaski. “Unless someone takes action, they’re just going to keep it up.” “They had a road through my field,” he said. At one point he chased down two young
Don’t give away the farm, says transition expert
Encourage children who want to farm to start buying in early, said Tom Deans
Don’t gift the farm to your children, but make them buy it at full market value, says one intergenerational wealth expert. “When we take shortcuts with the valuation and offer discounts to the family, we damage the confidence of the next generation. We actually undermine their authenticity,” said Tom Deans. Deans, an author and business
Water retention projects show promise for drought protection
Funds from the MHHC-stewarded GROW trust has allowed watershed districts to ramp up water conservation projects
It was a simple equation for Al Ayotte. It was a dry 2020 summer, and water was seeping out of his sandy-soiled pasture into a drain and flowing off his property. “It doesn’t make sense, and it gets me mad,” he said. “Let’s go reverse. Let’s pile up some water and let the water go
‘Safety Scouts’ kits facilitate farm safety talks with kids
Kits and other resources are available for free on CASA’s website
BASF and CASA hope interactive ‘Safety Scouts’ kits will give farm families fun and interactive ways to talk about safety. “A lot of the issues along with safety is just having the conversations, right?” said Robin Anderson, communications co-ordinator at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA). “And having the awareness and keeping, integrating safety as
Corteva showcases offset program to farmers
U.S. farmers grill company on its pilot program. Plus — when will it come to Canada?
It doesn’t take a genius to see the math doesn’t add up, Corteva Agriscience rep Ben Gordon acknowledged during a webinar promoting its carbon offset program. Farmers have to do it for the soil health and long-term gain if they’re going to join, he said. It was U.S. farmers and ag-interested folk only on Corteva’s
Maple Leaf sustainability report shows some progress
The company acknowledged significant effort will yet be required to hit its goals
Maple Leaf is marking one year as “the world’s first major carbon neutral food company,” as it releases its 2020 sustainability report. In 2019, Maple Leaf Foods announced it was carbon neutral, the Co-operator reported. The company followed standards set by the Science Based Targets Initiative. The company achieved neutral status by a combination of
Embracing endless possibilities
Faces of Ag: Manitoba flower farmer finds niche in natural dye and eco-printing
It’s difficult to believe that the vivid orange, burgundy and yellow floral print wasn’t painted or printed on the soft, crepe scarf in Lourdes Still’s hands. Instead, these scarves are dyed into the fabric straight from marigolds, coreopsis flowers, and even onion skins right there on Masagana Flower Farm near La Broquerie. Still stirred a
‘Food Action Hub’ platforms collaboration
Busy, far-flung community groups struggle to network and share resources, says Food Matters Manitoba
Food Matters Manitoba’s new social media-like online platform will help busy and far-flung organizations network and share resources as they work to feed their communities, says Food Matters Manitoba. “It’s easy to stay siloed,” said Myreille Fortin, the organization’s social innovation co-ordinator. The hub is a place to discuss different experiences and learn from others,
Big ag goes headhunting for carbon offsets
EMERGING | In a wild, wild west of carbon programming services, should producers buy in (or rather sell in) to the sales pitch?
As Canadian and U.S. carbon markets heat up, big ag companies are throwing their hats into the carbon offset program ring and looking to recruit farmers to produce those offsets. This June, fertilizer giant Nutrien rolled out a plan to expand its pilot carbon program which began last year. With about 200,000 acres enrolled inCyber-Savvy Farmer
