At the Israel family’s Drayton-area organic farm, delayed maturity of the rye meant that roller-crimping had to occur in early July, well after the emergence of the soybeans. A side-by-side comparison on July 22 showed the soybeans were delayed, but had come through the mat of rye in good health.

OSCIA-supported trial examines no-till organic soybeans

Despite difficult spring, growers persist with planting into roller-crimped rye

Delayed soybean emergence and the seed costs for a lush cover crop of rye are the main reasons why one innovative approach to no-till farming might not make financial sense under conventional management. But a new research trial being conducted at six sites across southern Ontario is showing promise that the method might be something […] Read more

Farm couple each head organic organizations

Gillian Flies takes over as president of Canadian Organic Growers

Dinner-table discussions at The New Farm near Creemore are taking on a heightened significance for Ontario’s organic farming community in 2019, as both members of the farm’s husband-and-wife management team have taken on key leadership roles in separate organic sector organizations. Brent Preston is now president of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) following […] Read more

Dairy Distillery received its Agriculture Excellence Award at the farm of Evan Porteous, left. Also shown are Anthony Seed (distribution), Minister Ernie Hardeman, Neal McCarten (distiller/director of operations), Omid McDonald (founder and CEO of Dairy Distillery) and MPP Jim McDonell.

EFAO, Dairy Distillery win first Excellence in Agriculture Awards

The awards recognize leaders in innovation in the agriculture sector in Ontario

A farmer organization taking research to the farmer level, and a unique alcohol made from dairy products are the first winners of the inaugural Excellence in Agriculture Awards. The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) won the first Excellence in Agriculture award for organizations and Dairy Distillery, which is making vodka from milk, won the […] Read more

EFAO wins first Excellence in Agriculture Award

Other awards will be presented in the near future

The Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) has been named the first recipient of the inaugural Excellence in Agriculture Awards. Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs recently announced the award. The Excellence in Agriculture Awards recognize agri-food businesses, individuals and organizations that have raised the bar for agri-food excellence, demonstrated leadership […] Read more

Presenting their findings at the recent annual convention of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) are participants in 2018 plot trials for red and yellow peppers. From left: Rebecca Ivanoff, Annie Richard and Greta Kryger.

On-farm research solves problems close to home

An EFAO project put farmers in charge of 18 projects that helped look at issues they faced on their farms

Farmers are gaining practical knowledge derived from on-farm research projects conducted by operations similar to their own. In one case, the research carried out through an Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) project, helped a farmer understand how plastic can be used to control weeds. Another group is working to develop a made-in-Ontario sweet pepper. […] Read more