Food Farm Talk

Learn why food companies are investing in regenerative agriculture in this special episode recorded at a public lecture held back in September, 2019. Hosted by the SOILS AT GUELPH initiative of the University of Guelph, the CREATE-Climate Smart Soils graduate program, and Grain Farmers of Ontario, “Regenerative Agriculture at General Mills: The Way Forward” features speaker Steve Rosenzweig, a soil scientist at General Mills where he leads research and outreach programs across North America to support farmers in improving soil health. Rosenzweig's talk was followed by a panel discussion with Dan Petker, a farmer from Norfolk County; Anne Loeffler, a conservation specialist with Grand River Conservation Authority; Jim Barkley, an agronomist with Hensall District Co-op; and Paul Johnston, the farm products manager at Thompson’s Limited. The panel was moderated by Mike Buttenham of Grain Farmers of Ontario. 

Click here for the episode transcript.

Follow SOILS AT GUELPH, CREATE-CSS, and Grain Farmers of Ontario on twitter: @SoilsAtGuelph, @SmartSoils, and @GrainFarmers.

Find out more about the SOILS AT GUELPH initiative on our website: https://soilsatguelph.ca/

In this episode, we spoke to students about their experiences at The Improve Life Challenge (ILC). The ILC-Hack the Farm is a one-day immersive experience where interdisciplinary student teams will work together with community partners to tackle real problems and come up with possible solutions. At the end of the day, student teams will present their solution in a pitch-style competition.

Taste Real is an innovative local food and farming initiative of the County of Wellington and many other partners. In this episode, Christina Mann, the Taste Real coordinator for the County, talks with Paul Smith. Taste Real started out as a branding initiative “to support local businesses, farms and producers who are passionate about the way local food is grown, prepared, presented and enjoyed, and how real it tastes”! Taste Real supports “local small businesses and farms to build stronger rural communities and grow one of the most vibrant, local food economies and food tourism destinations in Ontario”. The local food map is well known to residents and tourists as a go-to way to find local food. The local food fest held each year at Ignatius Centre on June 21 is a celebration of local food and community for the whole family. The spring and fall Rural Romp events get people to visit local farms and businesses to gain authentic experiences of agriculture and food.

More information is available at:

http://www.tastereal.ca

https://www.youtube.com/user/tasterealGW

In this episode, Abdul talks about some of the stories making headlines in Canadian Agriculture in the week. The rail blockade, labour shortages, and discussions a potential seed royalty in Canada are some of the issues talked about. 

Ralph Martin’s new book is an evocative mix of science, philosophy, memoir, reflection and manifesto for change. And food and farming tie it all together. Food security is certainly a focus, but the book ranges far beyond a narrow view of that phrase. Ralph is a retired professor of plant agriculture at Guelph with an emphasis on organic agriculture and forage crops. The book promo says the following. “Canadians are failing to balance reasonable food consumption with sufficient and sustainable production. The modern agricultural system is producing more and more food. Too much food. The cost is enormous: excess nutrients are contaminating the air and water; soil is being depleted; species loss is plunging us toward the sixth extinction; and farmers, racking up debt, are increasingly vulnerable to economic and climatic shifts. And then there is the waste — householders, food processors, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers collectively waste 40 percent of the food produced. A radical rethink is required. We need to move from excess to enough.” Listen to his discussion with Paul Smith.

More information is available at:

https://www.dundurn.com/books/Food-Security

https://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/rcmartin

This episode provides highlights of the 2020 Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference, held in London, Ontario on the 29th and 30th of January 2020. An overview of the main activities at the conference is provided alongside interviews with organizers and digital technology exhibiters.

Sustainable farming is about the people and organizations working daily to that end. Stuart Wright, a dairy and cash crop farmer from Kenilworth, Wellington County, is the new President of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Both Stuart and the Soil and Crop organization work hard on farm sustainability. Stuart describes his family’s work building soil health and sustainability using crop rotation, no till, strip till, cover crops, and the 4Rs of nutrient management. Since 1939, Soil and Crop has been innovating new ways of growing crops to improve both production and conservation. Stuart’s discussion with Paul Smith illustrates the complexity of juggling crops, livestock and changing practices. He also reflects about how farmers learn from other farmers, advisors and researchers, and then try new things on their farms—illustrating the importance of the network of organizations collaborating on sustainable agriculture.

More information is available at:

https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/

https://wellingtonsoilcrop.org/

https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/association/the-soil-fixers/

https://www.farms.com/videos/rural-lifestyle/stuart-wright-138455.aspx

https://www.todaysfarmer.ca/livestock/wellington-county-dairy-farmer-acclaimed-as-oscia-president-elect

Have you ever wanted to make your own maple syrup but were unsure where to start or how to do it? Urban sugaring provides the answer. The Urban Sugaring Project allows tree owners in the City of Guelph to work together to create maple syrup. And in this episode, Emily Duncan interviews organizers on the specifics of the program this year, which is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2020. Listen to this episode to learn more about Urban sugaring and how to participate.