Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Holland Marsh Freshness

We're very excited here in the Holland Marsh. There is a new television show, Fresh Life, airing on SUN TV, and they are featuring the Holland Marsh in several episodes. The film crew has been in the Marsh since Monday filming different farmers and their crops. It's been really exciting. I have to share this story with you. On Monday when they first arrived at our farm we were combining carrots, and I had been working on the back of the combine with our farm assistant, Rick, (he's new to our farm) I was showing him what he is expected to do while working on the back. It was windy, warm and VERY dusty. My face was caked in muck, and the makeup lady, Brandie, asked if I wanted makeup. I asked her if she thought that would really help. lol We all laughed and left my face alone. I'll tell you one thing though, farmers really need to get the word out to consumers about what we REALLY do, and HOW we do it. These people were absolutely amazed, and some of the misconceptions about farming practices have been cleared up. Now, if we could just get some more government officials to come out and see, and learn about agriculture (all sectors), then maybe we wouldn't remain a "junior portfolio" with the Federal cabinet.

Views: 180

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on September 17, 2009 at 3:57am
"farmers really need to get the word out to consumers about what we REALLY do, and HOW we do it. These people were absolutely amazed, and some of the misconceptions about farming practices have been cleared up."

Excellent work Avia. That is what we try to do each time we have friends and family from the urban areas visit. Do you know when Fresh Life will be airing or how to catch the episodes?

Wayne Black
Permalink Reply by Avia Eek on September 17, 2009 at 4:57am
Hi Wayne. Well, it's not all me, but thank you. My husband and I are members, and I am a director on the board of the Holland Marsh Grower's Association (we have an amazing board), and an equally awesome executive director, even though he likes to downplay his part in what we are doing. Believe me, anyone who will lend me their ear gets an ear full. We'll educate them one at a time! As for Fresh Life, it will be airing on SUN TV probably around November. Marty told me it will take a couple of months for editing, etc. In total the Holland Marsh is to be featured in 13 episodes, I will be in 4 of those!! I'll keep you posted through Ontag. They will also be doing segments on cheese, chefs, etc. . It's been one heck of a summer. I had an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister's wife this summer, and gave her a copy of a book about the Holland Marsh. The following week we had an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister himself. I spoke with him briefly, as well as Mr. Hudak. I think we are doing something in Queen's Park in October, where I plan to do more talking.

As an aside, our kids are always hearing me rant about how little the general public knows about what we do, and I guess some of that has rubbed off. My daughter is in Grade 11, and the teacher was talking about all the pesticides, etc that are on vegetables. Somehow the teacher made a specific reference to onions (we grow onions and carrots so Amanda knows what goes on) anyway, Amanda put up her hand and corrected the teacher. Advising her that 60 days before harvest no "pesticides" (weed spray) are sprayed on the crop. The class was silent, and the teacher stood corrected. One for the farmer's kid!!
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on September 19, 2009 at 4:17am
Hi Avia: This sounds like a great way to get the realities of farming to the consumers. Let us know when the shows are available online and we will try to help promote them. Great work. Give you daughter a high five from all of us.

Joe
Permalink Reply by Avia Eek on September 19, 2009 at 3:33pm
Hi Joe. I think it's a great start regarding letting people know the realities of farming. One thing, well actually, two things that were priceless were when we pulled carrots out of the ground and started eating them, without washing them, just wiping them off, and then in a lettuce grower's field, we did the same thing, grabbed a head of romaine and started eating it--the looks on their faces, and just a little hesitation--priceless!

It seems our Holland Marsh farmers are a reticent bunch, but one way or another we'll get them moving again. I've been told my daughter is alot like me, God help her!!! lol

I'll let you know when the show is to be televised. Thanks again for your support!

Joe Dales said:
Hi Avia: This sounds like a great way to get the realities of farming to the consumers. Let us know when the shows are available online and we will try to help promote them. Great work. Give you daughter a high five from all of us.

Joe
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on September 20, 2009 at 2:24am
Good work Avia and family.

We cash crop and city folk can't really relate to corn or beans...maybe wheat but that is a stretch.
Carrots and lettuce are food they recognize and know so I love the "we pulled carrots...and started eating them..."
I am looking forward to watching the show.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Spring Wheat Condition Improves; Winter Wheat Harvest 11% Done

The 2026 U.S. spring wheat crop improved over the past week but remained slightly below a year ago, while the winter wheat harvest moved ahead quickly and crop ratings remained historically poor. Monday’s USDA crop progress report rated the national spring wheat crop at 52% good to excellent as of Sunday, up 5 points from the previous week but still a single point below last year. In North Dakota, the largest spring wheat-producing state, the crop was rated 61% good to excellent, up 3 points from a week earlier. Minnesota improved to 86% good to excellent, up from 78% the previous week. South Dakota rose to 52%, compared with 44% the previous week, while Montana remained under heavy stress at just 10% good to excellent, although that was an improvement from only 1% a week earlier. Spring wheat development continued to advance. Planting was 98% complete, up from 94% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 95%. Emergence reached 87%, up from 72% the previous week and

Manitoba Seeding Nears Completion Amid Stormy Conditions

Manitoba seeding is nearly wrapped up, even as severe storms brought intense rainfall, strong winds, and hail to parts of the province.  The weekly crop report on Tuesday showed seeding across the province at 93% complete, up from 71% a week earlier. That’s just modestly behind 99% last year and the five-year average of 95%, after earlier weather-related delays.  Precipitation was highly variable across Manitoba over the past week, with stormy weather between June 2 and 4. Environment Canada confirmed three tornadoes, including sightings in the Manitou and Carman areas. Heavy rainfall in parts of the Northwest later in the week triggered overland flood warnings, while portions of the Northwest, Interlake and Central regions have now received more than 60 mm of rain since May 1.  Despite the stormy weather, seeding of most major crops is nearly finished. Spring wheat seeding is mostly complete, although the Northwest is still only about 80% done. Corn planting is complete, while cano

Supervised autonomy solution aims to optimize field operations

EMILI is using Verge Ag’s Launch Pad software to automate route planning on Innovation Farms powered by AgExpert during the 2026 season. In May 2026, Innovation Farms Associate Sarah Wilcott worked with Verge Ag to generate tillage plans specific to the farm’s field boundaries, elevation, and equipment. The plan was then synced to a John Deere 590 tractor before tilling began. Verge Ag’s Launch Pad is a web-based precision agriculture platform that aims to unlock autonomy on a farmer’s existing equipment.  “The current version uses smart heuristics to estimate how ‘costly’ any maneuver in the field is, along with various meta-heuristic algorithms to optimize the route ordering,” said Verge Ag Product Manager AJ Nolin. Its core feature is Path Planner, which helps farmers plan out the most efficient route before any equipment enters a field. The made in Canada technology is designed to be accessible and cost effective. It uses standard GIS shapefiles, costs only $5 to plan seeding f

CANZA Marketplace available for farmers

The marketplace is open to Ontario farmers first with plans to expand across Canada

Supporting wood-waste innovation in the Kootenays

A Kootenay-based project is receiving provincial funding to convert forestry waste into a soil supplement, benefiting agriculture and forestry sectors, while supporting training and good-paying jobs in the region. “People in rural communities are finding innovative ways to create new opportunities for their families and neighbours while caring for the environment,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “By turning wood waste into valuable new products, this project is creating jobs, supporting local businesses and helping build a stronger future for the community. Through our Look West strategy, we are investing in the people, ideas and industries that keep rural British Columbia thriving.” Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), the Province is providing approximately $182,000 to Wildsight to support its Fire for Healthy Soils project in Creston. The funding supports a pilot project to convert wood waste into biochar, which is

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service