Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

AALP North American Study Tour – Detroit

Today was another great day on #NAST2014.

We started our day at Detroit’s Eastern market, and went on a tour of the local area around the farmer’s market. We heard about and saw some of the local restoration going on in the form of a greenway and bike path. The people in this community are working tirelessly to improve their city by improving everything from access to fresh, healthy food, to green spaces where the community can come together for shopping, eating and exercising.

Following this tour, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to have a meeting with the Deputy Mayor of Detroit, Mr. Isaiah “Ike” McKinnon. We heard first-hand from this retired Police Chief and former University Professor about his love for Detroit, and how Detroiters are “fighters.” The challenges facing this city are seemingly insurmountable (un employment of around 27% at the height of the financial crisis, around 70,000 abandoned and burned houses to be torn down, a violent crime rate of 5 times the national average, a population that declined from 2 million in the 1950’s to its current 700,000, etc.), but this man, along with the team he and mayor Mike Duggan have assembled are up to the task. From their employment initiatives, “blight removal” of uninhabited buildings, and the re-turning on of broken street lights at the rate of 500 + per week, Detroit’s future looks as bright as the streets now look!

Following this insightful meeting, we learned about urban agricultural initiatives being undertaken in Detroit by groups like our host, FoodPLUS Detroit. After hearing of how these wonderful people engage their local communities to work on things like food security, resource efficiency, economic prosperity, and social justice.

Next we were off to visit one of the local farms that partner with FoodPLUS Detroit, D Town farm. D Town farm is a local urban farm that grows vegetables and greens using organic farming methods, and that uses its farm and property to encourage and teach other young, aspiring urban farmers about production and marketing opportunities.

We’re excited for more days of learning and experiences on this #NAST2014. 

Views: 199

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Roadrunner on July 13, 2014 at 6:15am

Wow, I am glad you visited Detroit to see how different things can be across a river.

I am always amazed at how bad things have become for a lot of people in Detroit.

I wish them well in their renewal.

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

Pulse Market Insight #308

Monsoon Shortfall Makes India the Market to Watch for Peas and Lentils For Canadian pea and lentil markets, no single buyer matters more in 2026/27 than India, and developments there keep pointing in a friendly direction. This year’s southwest monsoon ended roughly 15% below normal, with the shortfalls concentrated in the southern half of the country where most of the tur (pigeon pea) crop is grown. The kharif harvest is getting underway this month and poor results are widely expected. For Alberta growers, the question is how that crop damage translates into import demand for peas and lentils, and on what timeline. Because it’s a kharif crop, the tur harvest is where the damage shows up first. Prices for tur have rallied over US$230 per tonne from the early July low and now sit at their highest point since August 2024. Because green lentils are the main substitute for tur, Indian buyers are already backfilling with imports, and prices for Canadian green lentils in India are at their

How Grower Dollars Drive More Research Investment

Each year, Alberta canola farmers use their service charge dollars to support research. However, these contributions are just one piece of the bigger picture. Every season brings new challenges, from insect pressure and disease to challenging weather and rising input costs. Research helps canola growers tackle today’s issues and get ready for what’s ahead. That is why research remains a key priority for Alberta Canola. Investing in research that matters to growers Farmers often work at the leading edge, facing challenges with no playbook to follow. That is why Alberta Canola, as a farmer-led organization, sees research as a cornerstone of a competitive canola industry. Research helps identify and manage the challenges farmers face today while anticipating those that may emerge tomorrow. Whether it is managing pests, improving crop resilience, or finding ways to use inputs more efficiently, research gives growers practical tools and knowledge they can apply on their farms. In the e

Ohi Ahmed Joins Alberta Canola as Policy Analyst

We’re pleased to welcome Ohi Ahmed to Alberta Canola as our new Policy Analyst. Prior to joining Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Ohi worked at The Simpson Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy as a Policy Analyst. His work primarily focused on analyzing public policies and political affairs and their impact on the agri-food sector at the provincial and federal levels. He also has client relationship and portfolio management experience from his banking career, where he held multiple roles in corporate and retail banking. He holds degrees in Public Policy (University of Calgary), Business Administration, and International Relations (University of Dhaka). In his leisure time, Ohi enjoys playing soccer, watching F1 races, and learning about world history. He looks forward to advocating for the interests of Alberta canola producers.

Alberta Grains calls for farmer nominations for director and delegate positions

Alberta Grains regional meetings are held in regional locations across the province each year. Regional meetings are organized by each region's directors and delegates to provide farmers with information about the commission’s activities for the past year, review audited financials and help shape the future of the industry. Regional meetings are also held to conduct elections for open director and delegate positions. Check our Nominations & Elections page to see open positions in your region. These meetings are also a great opportunity for eligible producers to put forward resolutions to provide input into the commission. Each regional meeting is free to attend and pre-registration is required to claim a free hot lunch. Guest speakers are also present to share farm management tips, market insights and new agronomy research.

Updated subsoil investigation guideline for manure storage facilities

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG), a collaboration among the Government of Alberta, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and agricultural industry representatives, has released an updated technical guideline, Subsoil Investigations for Manure Storage Facilities and Manure Collection Areas. “Whether planning a new or expanding an existing manure storage facility or manure collection area, knowing what's beneath the surface is critical,” says Vince Murray, Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) engineer with the Alberta government and co-chair of TAG. “Understanding site conditions informs the planning process, identifies potential challenges, supports informed decisions with facility location and design, and reduces the risk of unexpected issues later on.” While the guideline is intended primarily for qualified professionals who conduct site investigations, it can also be a valuable resource for industry advisors and consultants, as well as owners and operators of con

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service