Move over sustainability. Regenerative might be the new environmental buzzword for food and agriculture. At the Innovative Farmers’ Association of Ontario’s annual conference on Feb. 19, farmers, marketers, and soil health experts discussed the concept of “regenerative agriculture” — what it is, who is focusing on it, and how farmers can push beyond sustainable practices. […] Read more
Tag Archives sustainability
When sustainable agriculture isn’t enough
What regenerative agriculture means on the farm, and in the corporate office
Grains sector backed to develop export rejection insurance
Code of practice for 'sustainable' crops also in works
The organization representing Canada’s crops sector will get public funding to develop an insurance plan against the “unpredictability” of export customers. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, speaking Wednesday at the CropConnect conference in Winnipeg, announced over $430,000 for the Canada Grains Council to develop a pilot insurance product for grain exporters. Such an insurance plan […] Read more
Beef sustainability program expands across the sector
National program gains more traction in Ontario beef value chain
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef’s program will soon be coming to Ontario’s largest beef processing plant — creating more opportunities for beef farmers here to sell their beef at a premium. Gurneesh Bhandal, Cargill Protein’s senior sustainability manager, told the Beef Symposium at FarmSmart recently that the company expects the audit allowing the Cargill […] Read more
Starbucks to add more plant-based food in latest green push
Chicago | Reuters — Starbucks Corp. aims to add more plant-based food and drinks to its menu as part of the company’s latest plan to become more environmentally friendly, CEO Kevin Johnson said on Tuesday, prompting a surge in shares of Beyond Meat Inc. Over the past year, with the rise of companies including Beyond […] Read more
Opinion: Corporate interest makes sustainability in agriculture tangible
Marketplace initiatives will sink or swim by virtue of consumer support
It didn’t take long for a young cattle rancher from Saskatchewan to capture the audience’s attention at the Canada 2020 National Forum on Agri-Food in Ottawa in the fall. “For me, the word ‘sustainability’ is synonymous with McDonald’s,” said Adrienne Ivey, who is part of a family corporation managing 3,000 beef cattle on a 10,000-acre […] Read more
Sweets, alcohol, not meat common to high carbon households
Science notes: Frequency of restaurant meals were also influential in Japanese study
Families with higher carbon footprints are likely to consume more confectionary, alcohol, and restaurant food, according to a new study by Japanese and European researchers published in One Earth. Considering the spectrum of traditional to urban lifestyles across Japan, associate professor Keiichiro Kanemoto of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature in Kyoto, Japan, and […] Read more
Building the Canada brand
Better information, more diverse opinions and more flexible policy are key to gaining global advantage: report
There are three critical priorities for Canada to achieve a national food brand that’s built on food safety, trust and sustainability, says Canada 2020. The think tank recently released the results of a process that involved talking to 600 agriculture sector stakeholders about what was needed, said David McInnes, a senior fellow with Canada 2020. […] Read more
Taking the sustainability discussion to the city
An event in Toronto’s centre emphasized the complexity of farm ecosystems
Farm and Food Care has taken urban dieticians and food influencers out to farms across the province with its annual bus tours. The organization recently went the other direction to the centre of the city, hosting an agriculture sustainability discussion at the Royal Ontario Museum that challenged conventional urban wisdom about beef production. Why it […] Read more
Sustainable agriculture organization expands to Canada
Field to Market brings together nearly 140 member organizations
Field to Market, an organization dedicated to sustainable agriculture, recently announced its expansion into Canada. Stakeholders have access to a streamlined approach to conduct continuous improvement projects, strengthening the ability for companies to meet their sustainable sourcing objectives and science-based targets. Field to Market brings together nearly 140 member organizations. It has developed a science-driven […] Read more
Smithfield looks through whole supply chain to limit carbon impact
Manure remains the largest impact on carbon for the worldwide swine production company
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest producer and processor of hogs, has a significant plan to reduce carbon emissions from its operations. The company has set a goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 25 per cent by 2025 in its United States operations. Why it matters: Farmers are increasingly under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
