The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) announced it is making an additional contribution of over $100,000 into its Revive Fund for 2024. The Revive Fund provides matching funding to help the OFA’s 51 county and regional federations plan, develop and launch projects and initiatives in support of agriculture and their local communities. OFA said in […] Read more
Ontario Federation of Agriculture invests in local initiatives
Editorial: Food Freedom Day needs a rethink
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) recognized its annual ‘Food Freedom Day’ on February 9, the day the organization says a Canadian household of average income will have earned enough to pay for their entire year’s grocery bill. Surprisingly, it fell on the exact same day it did last year. This was rather puzzling to me because like […] Read more
Three Ontario farmers honoured by Sollio Agriculture
Three Ontario farmers were recognized by Sollio Agriculture at its Next Generation Award gala last week. MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company in Bath earned the top prize in the New Farm Enterprise category, ahead of the other finalist, Matt & John McRae of Alvinston. Luymes Farms & Custom Farming in Moorefield earned the top prize in […] Read more
AgScape offering educational initiatives to celebrate agriculture literacy month
AgScape is commemorating Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM) with a lineup of “engaging initiatives” to foster agriculture and food literacy among K-12 students across Ontario, the organization said. AgScape will be offering the following programs, resources and events during CALM 2024 to students and educators across Ontario: Launched in 2012 by Agriculture in the Classroom […] Read more
Ontario invests $836K to strengthen agricultural societies
The Ontario government is investing up to $836,250 over three years to increase the capacity of rural volunteers and organizations across the province. This funding will help the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies partner with the Rural Ontario Institute to provide educational supports focused on leadership, governance, and community engagement to more than 200 agricultural […] Read more
Editorial: Moo makes milk – or does it?
A dairy product made via fermentation processes has become the first of its kind to get the green light from Health Canada. It’s not plant-based like other dairy alternatives. It contains a milk protein identical to that produced by dairy cows, and can therefore be considered animal-based even though it was not produced directly by […] Read more
Editorial: Growing pains
The agriculture sector often talks about how there is an urban-rural divide and what affect it has on how farming and rural living is perceived by the general public. More specifically, how populations shifted from more rural areas to urban areas after the second World War, and the disconnect it has caused amongst consumers on […] Read more
Editorial: It’s OK to be apprehensive about AI
In her regular Innovations section submission, our contributor Lilian Schaer takes a look at what will be trendy amongst agriculture technology investors in 2024. I’ve watched with interest in the last few years what’s considered ‘hot’ in the world of agriculture in the eyes of investors – and how quickly that interest fades and moves […] Read more
Editorial: Greater collaboration is necessary
As a new year begins, it’s a time to reflect on what happened the previous year, and set goals for the coming year. For some, that means setting personal goals like losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more, spending more time with family, or planning some travel, for example. For farmers and those working in the […] Read more
Opinion: Veterinary shortage more than a northern Ontario problem
A news release came across my desk last month that raised some good questions regarding veterinary care for livestock in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) announced in October a Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP) offering grants up to $50,000 to recent veterinary school graduates wanting to work with livestock in […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
