NOVA SCOTIA COMPANIES TO BE CELEBRATED AT PROVINCIAL EXPORT AWARDS  . . . SHEEP RANCHERS COUNT ON AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO KEEP LAMB ON MENU . . . SEEKING A FARM–MENTOR THIS SEASON? . . . CLIMATE VARIATIONS LINKED TO BIRDS HEADING FARTHER SOUTH IN WINTER: STUDY . . . MUSHROOM CULTURE WORKSHOP . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

NOVA SCOTIA COMPANIES TO BE CELEBRATED AT PROVINCIAL EXPORT AWARDS
Source: Nova Scotia Business Inc.
On Thursday, May 21, nine businesses from across the province will be recognized, and one will receive the Exporter of the Year award. The nominees for exporter of the year, who have already been recognized in their communities by their regional chambers, are: Acadian Seaplants, Cornwallis, Annapolis Co.; Big 8 Beverages, Stellarton; Premium Seafood Group, Arichat, Richmond Co.; Sara Bonnyman Pottery, Tatamagouche; Advanced Glazings Ltd., Sydney; Randsland Farms Inc., Canning, Kings Co.; Wedgeport Lobsters, Yarmouth; Blue Ocean, Halifax; Van Dyk's, Caledonia, Queens Co. This year's keynote speaker is Julia Rivard, senior partner at Norex. And, for the first time, companies attending are invited to participate in export information sessions. (read more)

SHEEP RANCHERS COUNT ON AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO KEEP LAMB ON MENU
Source: NPR Sheep ranchers, feedlot owners, and processors in states like Colorado, Nebraska, and Illinois are banking on America becoming a more diverse place. Specifically, they want American Muslims to buy more of their lamb. Today, the average American eats roughly a half pound of lamb per year. That number has been dropping for decades. Compare that with the more than 50 pounds of beef and almost 90 pounds of chicken each American eats every year. Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board, the industry’s producer-funded promotional arm, says lamb is saddled with perception problems. (read more)

SEEKING A FARM–MENTOR THIS SEASON?
Source: ACORN
ACORN’s Grow A Farmer Mentorship Program serves to pair beginner farmers with local experienced organic farmers based on educational goals and areas of agricultural expertise, in order to facilitate the smooth and successful establishment of new organic farms in Atlantic Canada. ACORN’s Mentor Farmers work one-on-one to help ease the transition for new, transitioning and aspiring farm-owners, and help build the skills, network and community so necessary for new entrant success. Through this match-making process, ACORN seeks to foster long-standing relationships that will build the sector of organic and ecological growers in Atlantic Canada. (read more)

CLIMATE VARIATIONS LINKED TO BIRDS HEADING FARTHER SOUTH IN WINTER: STUDY
Source: Global News
Decades ago, birdwatchers noticed an unusually high number of birds migrating farther south than normal, but the reason why wasn’t well understood. Now, a new study is linking the change in migration patterns to changes in climate patterns. The study is a true merging of interdisciplinary science: it used citizen science – where everyday people can contribute to studies or projects – and climate data. The picture it paints is one that shows a direct link to the variability of climate and how it affects our forests. (read more)

MUSHROOM CULTURE WORKSHOP
Source: Harrison Lewis Centre
Mark your calendars for this year’s mushroom growing workshop, June 5, 6, 7 with instructors David Boyle and John Crabtree at the Harrison Lewis Centre on Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore. The weekend program will start with an introduction to mushroom culture with Boyle, and workshops on growing Shitake and using mushrooms as biological control agents. John Crabtree, on the board of the N.S. Mycological Society, will offer workshops including natural history and mushroom identification. Join us starting Friday evening to study, grow, eat them. Learn more about their curious culture.
HarrisonLewisCentre.org