Weather has always been one of the biggest variables in farming — too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry — and now, extreme weather events are becoming an even greater challenge. In this episode, we dig into how farmers are coping with and adapting to a changing climate.

Host Hugh Maynard sits down with Dr. Hugh Henry, professor at Western University and expert in plant ecology, biogeochemistry, and global change biology, to explore how climate change is affecting agriculture. News editor Sarah Rennie talks with Sheldon Grant, a sixth-generation farmer, about what climate change adaptation looks like on the ground.

We also hear from Pascal Thériault, Director of the Farm Management and Technology Program at McGill University’s Macdonald Campus, and Justin Denis, a peach producer at Pomibec Orchards. Finally, reporter Callan Forrester speaks with Ian Ward of Les Jardins Glenelm who serves as the UPA’s Haut-Saint-Laurent syndicate for Agri-climat, a project that brings together Quebec farmers and other stakeholders to develop climate change adaptation plans. 

Join us as we explore how farmers, researchers, and educators are working together to weather the change.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast.

We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: the Livestock Breeders’ Association for providing our studio facilities at the Expo Ormstown fairgrounds, and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support.

We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio.

This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going.

Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25.

Farm to Food Podcast Credits:

Hugh Maynard – Host

Jackie Rourke – Producer

Sarah Rennie – News Editor

Callan Forrester – Reporter

Stacey Pennington – Audio Production

Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing

…and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

This week on Farm to Food, we dig into the delicious intersection between farms and restaurants — where collaboration, creativity, and community come together. From growers to chefs, we explore how partnerships shape what ends up on our plates and how they’re helping build a more sustainable future.

Hosted by Hugh Maynard, this episode features conversations with farmers, food producers, and chefs who are redefining what local food really means:

• Lesley Chesterman, renowned food critic, joins Hugh to reflect on how the restaurant scene has evolved over the past three decades.
• Annie Claude Lauzon of La Fermette talks with news editor Sarah Rennie about supplying fresh, local ingredients to restaurants.
• Guillaume Asselin of Le Mangeoir – Table Champêtre shares how he connects the farm experience directly to diners.
• Chris McKell-Craig from Gary’s Restaurant in Howick, QC, chats with Sarah about the role of local food in fast food culture.
• Chef Mathieu Dugas of Taverne de la Ferme in Ormstown, QC, speaks with reporter Callan Forrester about crafting farm-inspired menus.
• Wagyu beef farmer Stephen Borland discusses what it takes to bring premium local meat from pasture to plate.

Discover how the field meets the kitchen — and why the best meals start with strong relationships.

farmtofood.ca

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast.

We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: the Livestock Breeders’ Association for providing our studio facilities at the Expo Ormstown fairgrounds, and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support.

We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio.

This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going.

Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25.

Farm to Food Podcast Credits:

Hugh Maynard – Host

Jackie Rourke – Producer

Sarah Rennie – News Editor

Callan Forrester – Reporter

Stacey Pennington – Audio Production

Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing

…and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

Focusing on the preservation of traditional farming methods, crops, and livestock passed down through generations, this episode features segments on heirloom fruits and vegetables, heritage buildings, antique machinery, and heritage livestock, along with Farmer Phil and news briefs on Quebec’s agri-food sector.
Enjoy the show!

Hosted by Hugh Maynard, this episode features segments on:

• Heirloom fruits and vegetables, presented by our news editor, Sarah Rennie, and an interview with Laurie Ann Prevost
• Heritage buildings, Sarah interviews with Mr. Barnwood, Simon Brennan
• Antique machinery, a conversation with those involved in the Chateauguay Valley Antique Association
• Heritage livestock, our reporter Callan Forrester interviews Elwood Quinn from Heritage Livestock Canada, and Hugh Maynard chats with Étienne Laliberté of Élevage Val-Plante Poultry Breeding

https://farmtofood.ca

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast.

We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: the Livestock Breeders’ Association for providing our studio facilities at the Expo Ormstown fairgrounds, and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support.

We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio.

This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going.

Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25.

Farm to Food Podcast Credits:

Hugh Maynard – Host

Jackie Rourke – Producer

Sarah Rennie – News Editor

Callan Forrester – Reporter

Stacey Pennington – Audio Production

Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing

…and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

The 2025 growing season had farmers across Quebec struggling to deal with weather extremes - a long, wet spring then a record-breaking hot and dry summer. How did it affect humans, plants and animals? We find out.

Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast.

We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: the Livestock Breeders’ Association for providing our studio facilities at the Expo Ormstown fairgrounds, and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support.

We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio.

This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going.

Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25.

Farm to Food Podcast Credits:

Hugh Maynard – Host

Jackie Rourke – Producer

Sarah Rennie – News Editor

Callan Forrester – Reporter

Stacey Pennington – Audio Production

Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing

…and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!