Ruthless cutting of waste in all its forms has long allowed farmers — from 1600s Japan to reconstruction-era Alabama — to make a living on tiny plots of land. It’s how today’s small-scale farmers can do the same, says farmer and author Ben Hartman. “Turning waste into useful channels should be the slogan of every
Ruthlessly cutting waste can allow small farms to prosper
A mindset originally developed in the rice fields of Japan still translates to the modern North American farm
Producers share stories of doing more with less
New farmers may need to add value because they can’t afford to add land
Issues like lack of accessibly priced land led Manitoba Young Farmers to contemplate how to do more with less during the groups’ online conference on March 4. Speakers like Farmery Estate Brewery’s Lawrence Warwaruk, Arron Nerbas of Nerbas Bros. Angus and Barb Stefanyshyn-Cote of Black Fox Farm and Distillery shared their stories of adding value
Many options, obstacles for value added
Many entrants are young, driven and with few other options to farm
Young farmers face “strict realities,” said speaker Phil Veldhuis, who teaches value-added agriculture at the University of Manitoba. They also have some opportunities in value-added production and direct marketing. Veldhuis heads Direct Farm Manitoba, which represents mainly small-scale farmers who sell direct to the public, grocery stores and restaurants. Many farmer members of the group
Education reform will harm rural communities, says Manitoba School Boards Association
Others more cautious about Bill 64,looking for robust consultation before reforms made into law
Abolishing school districts and boards will silence rural communities and may lead to the gutting of rural education, says Manitoba School Boards Association president Alan M. Campbell. “Their voices will be gone,” Campbell told the Co-operator. On March 15, the province released the text of Bill 64, the Education Modernization Act, one of several bills
Feds put out new travel rules for temporary foreign workers
Testing issues cause headaches for arriving beekeepers, employers
The federal government put out new rules for arriving temporary foreign workers on March 16 — just in time for one Manitoba farm to welcome its first worker of the season. Paul Gregory, a honey and seed producer in the Interlake, said a Nicaraguan beekeeper will arrive on his farm in the second week of
Public, KAP support largely behind trespassing bills
Biosecurity bill carries potential concerns from animal welfare advocates about ‘ag gag’ laws
The leader of Keystone Agricultural Producers says the recently released bills on trespassing and farm security address most of their concerns. “As an organization we are very pleased that they have been able to move forward with some of the suggestions that were presented by our organization,” said KAP president Bill Campbell. “We view this as really positive for
Manitoba government releases trespassing bills to public
Bills 62 and 63 would increase landowners’ rights related to trespassers and biosecurity
Details on two bills that would increase landowners’ legal protection against trespassers saw the light of day on March 10 — four months after they passed their first reading in the legislature. Bill 62 would amend the Animal Diseases Act, and Bill 63 would make changes to the Petty Trespasses Act and the Occupiers’ Liability
Manitoba farmer recognized as early voice for biofuels in Canada
Faces of Ag: As a farmer and agricultural engineer, Brian Chorney brought a depth of perspective to the boardroom table
“Well geez, you should let your name stand,” seems like the common origin of many successful careers in agriculture organizational work. Fellow farmers recognize leadership qualities and exert a little pressure to fill a director’s chair. East Selkirk farmer Brian Chorney is, by all accounts, not one to boast. But in this case, it seems
The changing numbers on production costs
Higher prices, higher cost inputs all mean the stakes have grown this season
Though high crop prices may cast a rosy glow over spring seeding plans, they may also make farmers nervous — and for good reason, say two experts. That’s why having a good handle on costs of production is more important than ever. “High prices at the start of a season could mean two things: nearly
‘Yellow wave’ unlikely despite high canola prices
Favourable crop prices across the board, high fertilizer costs and dry conditions may keep producers from changing things up
Despite record canola prices, Manitoba is unlikely to see much of a yellow wave this summer, say some farmers and analysts. “There isn’t a whole lot of room to increase acreage without deviating from best practices,” said Bill Nicholson. Nicholson, who farms near Shoal Lake in western Manitoba, figured if farmers had flex in their
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
