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A Willow Field Day is scheduled for this Friday, December 13, 2013 starting at the Point Edward Farm and ending at Cape Breton University. All are welcome but please let us know if you will be attending by calling 902-563-2000 before end of day Thursday, December 12, 2013. No Charge... (read more)
Source: FCC
J.P. Gervais, FCC Chief Agricultural Economist, explains landlord-tenant interaction and how communicating about crops and agriculture can help maintain positive relationships. You’ll learn the basics of setting a rental price fair to both parties, some factors that typically influence land rental contracts and why written... (read more)
Source: Equine Canada
The Equine Canada/NCCP National Coaching Awards are presented by ProChaps, and recognize coaches and instructors from all disciplines and contexts who exemplify the coaching and teaching practices of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Nominees are recognized for their contribution to the sport... (read more)
Source: AllNovaScotia.com
Dalhousie University has appointed Jon Grant to the new industrial research chair in sustainable aquaculture. Grant will focus on maintaining coastal ecosystem services, integrity of fish pens, waste management plans, sediment habitat health, and disease prevention. Cooke Aquaculture will contribute $800,000... (read more)
Source: Island Farmer
Government has carefully considered the report of the Lands Protection Act Commissioner, Horace Carver, and will adopt its major recommendations in the coming months, says Premier Robert Ghiz. “I asked Commissioner Carver to ensure the Act still met today’s needs,” said Premier Ghiz. “Over several months... (read more)
Source: New York Times
Whole milk from organic dairies contains far more of some of the fatty acids that contribute to a healthy heart than conventional milk, scientists are reporting. A study shows that drinking whole organic milk is more likely to lessen the risk factor for heart disease than conventional milk. The finding, published Monday... (read more)
When it comes to making food yummy and pleasurable, humans clearly outshine their fellow animals on Earth. After all, you don't see rabbits caramelizing carrots or polar bears slow-roasting seal. But in terms of the global food chain, Homo sapiens are definitely not the head honchos... (read more)
Source: CFA
Following yesterday's announcement confirming Canada's agreement with the European Union under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) notes the market opportunities for Canadian agricultural exporters, but is disappointed the Government did not... (read more)
Source: FCC
Prince Edward Island potato growers harvested a good crop of excellent quality potatoes in 2013 and that’s helping to drive a growing demand for the Island spud in domestic and export markets. Greg Donald, general manager of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, says as of the end of November, the fresh table market... (read more)
Source: Equine Canada
Bidding is officially open for Dressage Canada's Auction of Promises. Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the official launch of the 2013 Auction of Promises, giving dressage enthusiasts the opportunity to bid on a package of two lessons from some of Canada's most renowned dressage riders. Proceeds... (read more)
Source: NSFA
Perennia manages a Bee Line that is a volunteer listing of beekeepers and their available hives for pollination. The list will help connect blueberry growers, who need bee hives to pollinate their blueberry fields, with beekeepers who have available hives to rent. This listing and service is offered at no charge... (read more)
Source: Marketwired
The Canadian lamb industry has adopted an electronic instrument meat grading system. Designed and manufactured in Canada, the system is the first of its kind for the world-wide industry. The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, joined Saskatchewan lamb producers in... (read more)
Source: FCC
Consumer interest in local food and better nutrition is likely to increase the demand for premium products from the farm, such as functional foods, omega-3 eggs and gluten-free items, says a food price forecaster. Sylvain Charlebois, a University of Guelph economist, says in his annual food price index that prices... (read more)
Source: The Chronicle Herald
The startup is housed in a garage-like space in San Francisco’s tech-heavy South of Market neighbourhood, but it isn’t like most of its neighbours that develop software, websites, and mobile-phone apps. Its mission is to find plant replacements for eggs. Inside, research chefs bake cookies and cakes, whip up... (read more)
Source: ThinkFarm
We don't have enough participants registered for the Feeding Soil for Healthy Plants workshops coming up in Antigonish and Sky Glen (Cape Breton). If we don't have enough people by this Friday (Dec.6), we will have to cancel the workshops. So if you're planning on attending, please let me know asap... (read more)
Source: NPR
A natural gas boom is under way in the United States, with more than 200,000 wells drilled in just under a decade. But people living on the front door step of the natural gas bonanza have a question: Are these wells creating harmful pollutants? NPR explores why there isn't an answer yet... (read more)
Source: ACORN
Due to popular demand from his jam-packed sessions at the 2013 ACORN Conference, Dan Kittredge, Executive Director of the Bionutrient Food Association will be offering a 2-day workshop series on Nutrient Density for Crop Production on January 6-7. These workshops are participation-based, designed for... (read more)
Source: The Beef Site
A farm animal welfare and behavior expert has said that animal welfare research, while important, can't be waited on for fear of risking the sector's reputation. It seems every few months there are more case studies that emerge on why agriculture needs to become more proactive in managing animal welfare... (read more)
Sackville, NB – The Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN)’s Grow A Farmer Apprenticeship Program is now accepting applications for the 2014 season.
“Collaborating with a diverse team of ten long-standing, certified-organic ‘host-farms’, this curriculum-guided, farm-based program offers 6-month intensive placements–from May to October–for people who are pursuing a career in organic agriculture,” states Lucia Stephen, Program Coordinator.
Offering a dynamic mix of knowledge, skills, and community connections, the 2014 program will provide participants with a unique combination of field learning and “classroom” work. Whether on or off the farm, teachings will explore both the practical and the more theoretical aspects of farming - ranging from soil fertility and marketing, to the importance of farm business planning.
Participants also benefit from attending regular farm-based workshops, field-tours and major ACORN events, including the Beginner Farmer Symposium (August 2014) and the annual 3-day organic farming Conference and Trade Show (November 2014).
“While formal schools can teach you the nuts and bolts about farming, it really is the experience of farming that will instill the depth of understanding that is required to know whether farming is right for you,” states Sara Burgess, 2013 Grow A Farmer apprentice. “My experience was great. From moving through the changes and needs of a demanding growing season, to networking with fellow young and long-standing growers, my participation in the Grow a Farmer program provided immense knowledge and direction for my future as a young farmer.”
There’s no doubt about it, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, over 75% of Canadian farmers will face retirement within the next ten years, leaving a looming void in agricultural production and fertile farmland in need of succession. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of aspiring producers, keen to start their own farms, but who lack adequate agricultural education and farm experience. There is a strong need for comprehensive training and resources to help bridge this gap, though the key is in finding a suitable path to take. And learning from the best.
Applications for the 2014 Grow A Farmer Apprenticeship Program are now posted on the Grow A Farmer website. For full details, please visit www.growafarmer.ca. Scholarships are available and people are encouraged to apply early as limited positions are available.
About ACORN
Since 2000, ACORN has been the key organization for information on organic agriculture, eating organics, and connecting all the parts together in order to advance the local organic sector in Atlantic Canada.
For all inquiries, please contact:
Lucia Stephen, Program Coordinator
1-902-297-7376
lucia@acornorganic.org
www.growafarmer.ca
Source: National Farm Animal Care Council
Canada is closing in on a major milestone to complete a new Code of Practice for the care and handling of pigs. Farm animal care stakeholders made strong progress this week at meetings in Ottawa to forge agreement on the tough issues toward finalizing a renewed Code. This included a major focus on the public... (read more)
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