Featured Blog Posts (70)

The wheat is off, the crops are sprayed, the pressing field work is behind me.  There is always more to do, but its no longer time critical.  Sure i can pull some weeds in the field, but it doesn't need to be done today.  The wheat stubble needs to be plowed, but no rush, I would prefer a good rain to sprout the lost wheat before I start anyhow.  Sure the free range chickens and turkeys need constant attention, but that has become no different than doing the laundry, its just part of life.…

Friday the 13^th, Day 8

Will and Marian led us to the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC for a briefing from the Counsellor (Agriculture), Economic and Trade Policy. Arriving at the Embassy was much like crossing the border – a security screening and random passport check, all very pleasant, no issues. Dressed in our…

Not far from the Liberty Bell in the heart of Philadelphia is the Reading Terminal Market.

Rich in history, this “urban farmers' market” is home to 77 owner-operated businesses that provide a wide variety of food products ranging from local produce to meat, dairy, fish and baked goods.  As well…

We were off to a comfortable start this morning, with Dave the bus driver ready to roll at 8:30 headed for the Wye research station. Once there we met Dr. Russell Brinsfield and Ken Staver who briefed us on the watershed issues surrounding the Chesapeake estuary, the body of fresh water with the largest land to water…

We welcome a lost sheep back to the fold

Michel Dignard, who could not be with us for the first three days of the tour met us in Newark and we are all very happy he did make it for the balance of the program.  Our bus left Newark this morning with a full schedule of visits to a number of organic and sustainable agricultural operations in…

After an exciting evening in Soho for some and the musical Chicago on Broadway for others, the group set out to experience the Bronx. Our first stop was to meet with Myra Gordon, the Executive Director of the Hunts Point Produce Market. The Hunts Point Produce Market sits on 113 acres of land and…

AALP loves NY!

After passing through…

From Ithaca to New York City (via Scranton, PA)

AALP Class 14 woke up in Ithaca, NY to a much more comfortable ambient temperature than we experienced the previous…

Each class of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) includes two study tours as part of the curriculum – one in North America, and one involving international travel. These study tours give participants the opportunity to gain an even broader perspective and understanding of regional/national/ international issues and their interrelationships.

AALP Class…

AALP Class 14's North American Study Tour began at the Rural Ontario Institute office, at the  EastGen facility Guelph where we boarded our bus. After a quick stop to pick up some of our remaining classmates in Niagara-on-the-Lake we were back on the…