Kathie MacDonald's Page

Upgraded AgriStability Supports

AgriStability: Helping Canadian Farmers Weather Tough Times Canada’s farmers work hard every day to put high-quality food on our tables and export it around the world. They follow strict standards, and their products go through rigorous inspections to ensure safety and quality. But lately, they’ve been facing some tough challenges, including new trade barriers with China. China recently imposed huge tariffs—100% on canola oil, canola meal, and peas, and 25% on certain pork, fish, and seafood products. This move hurts not just Canadian farmers but also businesses and consumers on both sides. It disrupts supply chains and raises prices, making it harder for people to access quality food. To help farmers through this rough patch, the federal government is strengthening AgriStability, a key support program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). AgriStability is there to protect farmers when their income takes a big hit—whether from crop loss, rising c

National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food Partners with Tea Creek Training Inc. to Strengthen Indigenous Food Sovereignty

The National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF) is  thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with Tea Creek Training Inc. (Tea Creek), an award-winning, Indigenous-led initiative dedicated to land-based food sovereignty and trades training. This collaboration, solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), represents a significant step forward in revitalizing Indigenous food systems and empowering Indigenous communities across Canada.  Tea Creek’s culturally safe, land-based training programs are renowned for fostering Indigenous food sovereignty and economic independence—values that deeply aligned with NCIAF’s mission of advancing Indigenous agricultural practices. Together, the organizations aim to combine their strengths to make a lasting impact.  Key Objectives of the Partnership:  • Leverage Expertise: Combine NCIAF’s national reach and leadership in Indigenous agriculture with Tea Creek’s proven framework for land-based learning and skill  dev

It’s never too early or too late to start planning

A significant portion of Canada’s economy is powered by small and medium sized businesses. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, what are known as SMEs represent 98 per cent of all Canadian businesses and employ about two-thirds of the Canadian workforce.

Lynmark Farms named Master Breeder for 2025 by Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society

The Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society is excited to share that Lynmark Farms has been named as a Master Breeder herd for 2025.  Lynmark Farms, owned and operated by Tim Shearer and Irene Vietinghoff of Norwood, Ontario, is the third Milking Shorthorn herd to be recognized as Master Breeder since this honour was created in 2008.

CFA Statement on Imposition of Chinese Tariffs on Canadian Products

 The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is deeply concerned with the decision of the Chinese Government to impose tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas, fish, seafood and pork products.