After two years of virtual-only programming and two years of gradual transition into full hosting and organizing duties, the Organic Council of Ontario will welcome Canada’s organic sector to the 42nd annual Guelph Organic Conference Jan. 23-29. “Last year, we took over the virtual programming,” said executive director Carolyn Young, noting the annual event was […] Read more
Tag Archives organic — page 3
Guelph Organic Conference returns to in-person sessions
New organizers offer more sessions for farms and market gardens, virtual content also offered
Better energy balance key to future of agriculture
Ten calories in for one calorie out isn’t a balanced approach, says advocate Tony McQuail
Glacier FarmMedia – In Grade 10 science, Tony McQuail’s class conducted an experiment. They were given a jar of banana pulp and a male and female fruit fly. Every day, he and his classmates would examine the jar. By day 26, there were more than 100 fruit flies. By day 28, there were more than […] Read more
Regenerative agriculture reaches a crossroads
The jury is still out on whether the production philosophy will become a niche brand or a mainstream practice
Glacier FarmMedia – In early August, Prince Charles gave his stamp of approval to regenerative agriculture. While addressing an international soil conference held in Glasgow, the Prince of Wales said regenerative farming is the future of food production. “We have to be proactive in encouraging regenerative agriculture, with a diversity of plants and of grazing […] Read more
Vertical farming startup Vision Greens raises $7M
Ontario-based and Canadian-founded Vision Greens officially launched its lineup of Foodland Ontario certified non-GMO, pesticide-free leafy greens. The company grows lettuce varieties in a vertical farm using proprietary growing technology. It recently raised $7 million from what the company said are “investors that are purpose-driven business leaders, including members of the Canadian grocery segment focused […] Read more
Hepatitis A outbreak linked to organic strawberries
Cases reported in two provinces, three states
Washington | Reuters –– Food safety regulators in both Canada and the U.S. are investigating a hepatitis A outbreak potentially linked to tainted organic strawberries that has sickened 17 people in the U.S. and 10 in Canada, the agencies said. Fifteen illnesses were reported in California, and one each in Minnesota and North Dakota, the […] Read more
No-till organic soybean trials fall short on yield
Researcher says there’s still promise given the potential for time-saving on tillage
Organic growers in Ontario interested in trying no-till soybeans might want to call the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). After a three-year, multi-site assessment of the practice that allowed field trial hosts to use one of two specially designed “roller-crimpers” purchased by OSCIA, those implements are now available for growers to try. Those […] Read more
Global organic sector seeks synergies with regenerative movement
Canadian research centre director helping craft ‘Organic 3.0’
The global organic movement is stalled at what Andy Hammermeister refers to as ‘Organic 2.0’ – where aspiring organic producers must make changes to achieve a list of requirements in the standard, and once they do there’s no need for further improvement as long as they stay within the rules. Hammermeister, director of the Organic […] Read more
‘Stacking’ of row-crop tillage shows promise
Three modes of action monitored in organic crop study
Using the same terminology employed by agrochemical manufacturers promoting the “stacking” of herbicide-resistant traits in seed, an organic-sector specialist from the University of Maine sees promise in multiple modes of mechanical weed control. Eric Gallandt spoke on integrated weed management at the Guelph Organic Conference. He is one of the co-originators, along with Iowa State […] Read more
Federal government looks at climate impact of organic
AAFC officer says a coordinated approach is needed among governments
Organic agriculture is not mentioned specifically in the Canadian government’s Climate Action Plan but an officer with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) says she and her colleagues are working to understand how some countries have pinpointed organics as part of their response to climate change. “We have to change the way we’re measuring success,” said […] Read more
Bankrupt organic firm’s Prairie growers to be paid
CGC to issue compensation
Over four dozen Prairie grain growers who supplied a Minneapolis firm specializing in organic and non-GMO grains will get paid in full, the Canadian Grain Commission says. The CGC on Tuesday announced the results of its review of producer claims in the wake of last July’s bankruptcy filing by Pipeline Foods, whose footprint in Canada […] Read more
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