Agriculture

Farming and related issues

Recent Posts

Film festival hosted by farmers in Campbellford takes on issues and challenges facing agriculture

Aaron Theatre

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Farmers and film festivals are not always something you would think go together. Yet, the local chapter of the National Farmers Union of Ontario is screening several documentary films at the Aaron Theatre in Campbellford next Saturday afternoon. These are interviews with farmers across Canada dealing with serious issues like climate change, sustainable farming practices, loss of agricultural lands, and the family farm’s future. These are not just films for farmers. They are films for everyone. Continue Reading →

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Local farmers facing many challenges locally, provincially, and federally in 2024, NFA president says

Allan Carruthers

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

Farmers rarely get a break. Operating a farm is a 24/7/365 job. Besides running their operation, the men and women who provide us with our food daily also spend time lobbying politicians at all levels of government. In this interview, Northumberland Federation of Agriculture President Allan Carruthers outlines some of the challenges local farmers face. He will talk about the carbon tax, legislation stalled in the Senate, and local efforts to keep good agricultural lands in Northumberland County out of the hands of developers. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Placing precious lands in a trust

Aerial shot of farmland

Margaret Walton, board chair, Ontario Farmland Trust

 

One way to ensure a secure future for agriculture is putting farms in a land trust, says Margaret Walton, board chair of the Ontario Farmland Trust. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Political critique from the provincial Liberals

Queen's Park legislature

Liberal Agriculture Critic MPP Stephanie Bowman

Farmers can advocate for change, according to MPP Stephanie Bowman, Liberal agriculture critic. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: An overview from the county warden

Northumberland County Council Chambers

Northumberland County Warden Mandy Martin

Warden Mandy Martin reviews efforts by the county to preserve farmland. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Local farmer gives dire warning

Burnham Family Farm Market

Paul Burnham, director, Northumberland Federation of Agriculture

 

Northumberland Federation of Agriculture Director Paul Burnham warned of the consequences of failing to protect farmland in the county both now and in the future,

There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. And that has many people in Northumberland worried, especially farmers. Continue Reading →

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Protecting Farmland in Northumberland: Legislative agenda facing farmers

Northumberland County farm

Eric Gillespie, EKG Corporation

Lawyer Eric Gillespie reviews new regulations, policies, and legislation introduced by the Ontario government impacting farmland in this episode. There are 840 farms in Northumberland County. The vast majority are prime agricultural land. That designation ranks these areas as the best for growing the crops that feed us. Yet, these lands are under threat. Continue Reading →

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Fifth generation farm forges new path while it monitors future of agriculture in Northumberland

Mike and Ingrid Aird

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

In the main hall in the Cobourg Best Western, Mike and Ingrid Aird are sitting at a table, taking notes. They listen intently to an expert panel talk about protecting farmland in Northumberland County. They care deeply. The future of agriculture is vital to the family’s farm located on Community Centre Road just east of Baltimore. They own what is called a farm-to-table operation. Continue Reading →

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New migrant worker coordinator explains changes to programs and services in Northumberland

MIGRANT WORKERS

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

If you ate today, Megan Botha says you need to thank a farmer. And, she says, you should also thank a migrant worker, as well. She is the new migrant worker outreach coordinator at Horizons of Friendship. About 20,000 temporary migrant workers will come to Ontario this growing season. There are somewhere between 125 and 150 migrant workers in Northumberland this year. Continue Reading →

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Rural coalition organizing panel on protecting farmland in Northumberland County

The show:

The full interview with bonus material:

It is a well-known statistic. Ontario is losing more than 300 acres of farmland every day. It is stunning when you realize we are talking about our food source. What you don’t hear as often is how this affects Northumberland County. But there is a group trying to change that. Continue Reading →

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