We’ve known for years that there’s a gaping chasm between the world view of some urbanites and the people who have made it their vocation to care for animals. Luckily for most, that chasm has not been physical. Animal rights activists and livestock farmers haven’t often met. There are some notable exceptions, including activists gaining […] Read more
Tag Archives social media — page 3
Editorial: The gaping difference
Why won’t consumers listen?
Farmers have been trying to engage consumers for years — yet the work has had little impact
It happens at farm meetings across Canada. Speakers use words like “engagement” and then talk about how farmers can use Twitter and Facebook to influence people. This has been happening for years at agricultural conferences across Canada. Because of all those presentations, thousands of producers now use social media to connect with consumers and explain […] Read more
Film delves into urban-rural perspectives on food production
University student Dylan Sher spent time researching the origins of an entree served up in a popular Toronto restaurant
“My opinion is that the farmers don’t actually know the fight they’re in. They just know they’re in a fight.” That’s how soon-to-graduate University of Guelph ag business student Dylan Sher describes his goal in spending the past year writing and helping create the feature-length documentary film “Before the Plate,” which celebrated its premiere screening […] Read more
Opinion: Government takes notice of mental health concerns in farming
Farming has long been considered to be among the most dangerous occupations. It’s a profession where long hours are commonplace, financial risk is real and many factors, such as weather are out of a farmer’s control. Combine that with the isolation and loneliness that can sometimes accompany its rural setting and the struggles producers face, […] Read more
Dairy farmers’ cross-Canada tractor tour ends in tragedy
Ontario dairy farmer Bettina Schuurmans dies in collision between tractor and semi truck
What started as a fun summer trip across Canada on a tractor spreading information about dairy farming has ended in tragedy. Henk and Bettina Schuurmans left their Elmira farm June 21 on their John Deere tractor and had been westbound Monday morning from Saskatoon headed toward Langham, Sask. on the Yellowhead Highway, when their tractor […] Read more
Farmers encouraged to make Agriculture Day meme-able
Canada’s farmers are being urged to make closer connections with the country’s non-farming consumers, in both the real world and cyberspace, as Canada’s Agriculture Day nears. Spearheaded by the year-round industry-backed initiative Agriculture More Than Ever, Canada’s Agriculture Day is set this year for Tuesday (Feb. 13). “It’s a time to showcase all of the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
