Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP Class 13 North American Study Tour Day 1


Day one of Class 13’s North American Study Tour came to an end after a 10 hour trek to our first destination point in Columbus, Ohio. We covered a lot of Ohio landscape today, and surprisingly, it wasn’t all covered by corn. The group was surprised to see so many vineyards along the southern shore of Lake Erie.

For AALP Class 13 participants, the next 10 days promise not only sweltering heat, but also engaging and thought provoking speakers and tours representing US agriculture and rural issues.

“With the rural food craze back home and across North America, I’m interested in hearing from Lisa Davis with the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health about what connections they’re drawing between health, agriculture and local food, and how this may, or may not, be influencing local agricultural decisions,” says Sarah Brown from Toronto, Ontario.

Arik Theijsmeijer from Sudbury, Ontario is most looking forward to seeing the American Capitol. “I’ve never been to Washington D.C. and I can’t wait to tour the historical sites of the city. I think Americans tend to showcase their history more proudly than Canadians so there will be so much to see. The formal reception at the Canadian Embassy will be a highlight as well. I wonder what VIPs might be invited.”

This Wednesday the group will visit an Amish farmer in Berlin, Ohio, who farms organically and raises cattle on grass. We will also be treated to a back road, narrated tour and an authentic hearty-home cooked meal. Carol Maki from Thunder Bay says “What a great experience, farming the way my grandparents did, without all the modern technology. Truly getting back to your roots.”

Stay tuned for more daily updates from other Class 13 participants.

Sarah Brown, Carol Maki, Arik Theijsmeijer - AALP Class 13

Views: 57

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Governments Of Canada and Manitoba Investing More Than $6 Million to Grow Local Food Processing Economy and Support Jobs

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing more than $6 million to help grow the economy by increasing food production facilities and supporting jobs across Manitoba under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced here today. “When we invest in food processors, we’re helping them grow, stay competitive and ensure they can keep putting their high-quality food on tables here in Canada and around the world,” said MacDonald. “These projects will help build a stronger, more resilient food system while supporting good jobs in the process.” A total of 19 food processors in Manitoba have been approved for funding for equipment upgrades, facility expansions, and new technologies that will improve efficiency, production capacity and environmental performance. “These investments support our economy, strengthen our communities and ensure susta

Governments of Canada and Manitoba Announce Support for Livestock Producers Affected by Drought Conditions

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are announcing support measures to aid Manitoba’s livestock producers affected by drought conditions, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today. Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) will provide support measures through its AgriInsurance program, improving cash flow for livestock producers needing to secure additional feed. “Our livestock producers play a critical role in our food supply and our economy. We need to do everything we can to support them, especially in the face of these dry conditions,” said MacDonald. “These program changes will ensure producers in Manitoba receive claim payouts faster, so they can source other feed options as quickly as possible.” For claim calculation purposes, MASC will be applying a quality adjustment factor to reduce yield appraisals by 40 per cent for drought-stricken cereal crops (all varieties of wheat, oats, bar

Government Fulfills $2 Million Commitment to Food Banks of Saskatchewan

As announced in the 2025-26 Provincial Budget, the Government of Saskatchewan is providing $1 million to Food Banks of Saskatchewan in August 2025 to distribute to agencies across the province. "This funding fulfills our government's commitment to provide $2 million over two years to help Saskatchewan families and food banks with rising food costs," Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said. "By partnering with Food Banks of Saskatchewan once again this year, we are providing additional support to communities across our province." The $2 million commitment was first announced in July 2024, with the first $1 million installment provided to Food Banks of Saskatchewan in August 2024. The Ministry of Social Services will work with Food Banks of Saskatchewan to distribute the second $1 million installment in August 2025 to agencies based on the population and average food bank usage of the communities they serve. "Saskatchewan Food Banks are experiencing an unprecedented year of dema

Register for Keep it Clean’s webinar on pre-harvest tips to produce market-ready crops

Keep it Clean will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 30 at 11 a.m. CDT to inform Canadian growers, agronomists and retailers of key on-farm practices to avoid unacceptable product residues and answer any questions to help protect the marketability of Canada’s canola, cereal and pulse crops. Registration for the webinar, which will include a live Q&A with experts, is now open. The webinar will dive into key practices, including how to properly stage crops for pre-harvest glyphosate application, why it’s essential to follow pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) and how to scout effectively for disease. “Applying a product like pre-harvest glyphosate for weed control too early can lead to unacceptable residues in harvested grain, putting market access at risk,” says Krista Zuzak, Director, Crop Protection and Production at Cereals Canada. “Following label directions - like waiting until grain moisture is below 30 per cent in the least mature part of the field - helps prevent residue issues

iTradeNetwork Webinar – Register Now

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC), the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), and the Association des producteurs maraîchers du Québec (APMQ) have been working with iTradeNetwork to schedule a series of webinars for growers.

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service