Unrecognizable person digging with pitchfork, low section, assorted vegetables in foreground

Opinion: The idea of urban farming is oversold

If the buzz about urban farms can be believed, they are growing significantly even as rural farms and ranches decline in number — but there are no reliable statistics on the number of urban farms. In Chicago, by one count there are more than 230 community gardens and 60 urban farms. But that’s small potatoes

The CAPI report identifies consumer issues about food that include health, nutrition, food safety, sustainability, ethics, food security and reliability of supply.

The ultimate consumers’ choice award

Significant change is needed throughout the sector to secure Canada’s future global competitiveness

If farmers and food manufacturers want to be ranked world leaders, then they have to prove to Canadian consumers they deserve that status, says the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. In the final report out of a process charting the industry’s future growth that began last fall, CAPI said the sector should consider setting a goal



Agriculture research needs to focus on future challenges

Agriculture research needs to focus on future challenges

The institute said rising population, climate change and the need to find 
alternatives to fossil fuels are priorities

Canada needs a forward-looking agriculture research policy to help feed a burgeoning global population, cope with climate change and develop alternatives to fossil fuels, says the Agriculture Institute of Canada. It has released a proposal to create a strong scientific base that “will be the primary source of innovation and productivity enhancements needed to meet


Cindy Klassen, speed skater

Gold medal speed skater signs up to be farmer for fundraising campaign

A new initiative invites groups and individuals to sponsor an acre

Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater Cindy Klassen has signed up to be a farmer this summer as part of a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) fundraising campaign. “This year, I’m helping provide food for hungry people around the world by trading in my skates and becoming a farmer,” she says in

Farmers like Karen Friesen, who are engaged in small-scale food processing and direct marketing, are encouraged that the province has committed to helping their sector prosper. Friesen and her husband Jonathan operate Valleyfield Acres near Morden, selling farm-raised vegetables and preserves.

Province promises new supports for smaller farmers and processors

The report says support to grow food-processing sector 
must extend to all sizes of players

A new report aimed at supporting local producers and small-scale pro-cessors is being praised as an important step towards fostering a better working environment for new entrants to farming and food processing. Advancing the small scale, local food sector in Manitoba, a path forward, a 65-page report that includes 21 recommendations, was released last week


People putting food in a donation box

New book ‘The Stop,’ about empowerment, transformation of food banks

Recipe Swap: Oatmeal Risotto with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil, and Parsnip, Sage, Rosemary 
in no-time Risotto

As we head toward Christmas, many of us give generously to charitable causes. Food banks are one of them and they definitely need our help. Goodness knows what would happen if we suddenly closed our wallets on them. Over 60,000 Manitobans turned to one in the month of March, according to the Hunger Count 2014

Province, city recognize UN International Year of Family Farming

Province, city recognize UN International Year of Family Farming

A flag honouring the family farm was raised at Winnipeg City Hall July 30

Provincial and municipal leaders gathered at Winnipeg’s City Hall July 30 to raise a flag honouring the United Nations declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn joined Brian Mayes, city councillor for St. Vital, to highlight the significance of family farming on a


Common-sense strategies drive sustainable agriculture

Common-sense strategies drive sustainable agriculture

A recent Iowa conference looked at the role women 
have in creating sustainable agricultural networks

How can agriculture transform our food system, save the planet and create a just global society? In mid-November, I attended a gathering of more than 400 farmers, industry professionals and food activists all seeking to answer that question. They gathered at the 4th National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture in Des Moines, Iowa organized

Sarah Jaibes is a Zimbabwean farmer practising conservation agriculture. 
Photo: Shannon VanRaes

Conservation agriculture will play a key role in feeding future populations

Conference told that by employing permaculture, cover crops, strategic rotation and reduced tillage, small landowners can generate surpluses and contribute to food security

Sarah Jaibes isn’t a soil scientist, or an international development expert, but she knows a lot about how to make small farms work and what it will take to feed nine billion people by 2050. The Zimbabwean farmer became involved in conservation agriculture in 2009, after rising inflation made it difficult to live on her