Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

BASF Invites Some Urban Consumers To The Farm. Sustainability Video Series.

 

 

 

Conversations On Sustainability online video series captures the
dialogue when urban consumers meet the farmers that grow their food.


MISSISSAUGA, ON - BASF Canada (BASF) today launched an online
video series called Conversations On Sustainability on its AgSolutions YouTube
channel. The videos feature highlights from the conversations five urbanites had
with five Canadian farmers when they travelled from the city to the farm to see
how food is grown, and how the industry can sustain it.

"We invited
average urban consumers, who had some not so average questions and opinions
about food, to speak openly with the farmers who grow it," says Scott Kay,
Canada Business Director at BASF. "When it comes to food supply, we're all in
this together. Whether you're the consumer, the grower or the innovator, it's
really about us all working together. Through the video series, these urban
consumers had the opportunity to speak openly and connect with growers like
never before."

Each of the five consumers got a tour of a Canadian farm
- in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario - to see the field, the
machinery and the crops close up. They spoke one-on-one with growers and asked
them questions like how much it costs an acre to run a farm, to how growers
apply their herbicides, to how and why growers select particular seed varieties.


"I'm from downtown Toronto. I have no idea what life is like on a farm,"
says Ron Schlumpf, a banker.

Schlumpf spent a day with Dan Ronceray on
his farm in Somerset, Manitoba, where the two were able to share their
perspectives.
"We have nothing to hide," says Ronceray. "We produce a good
crop and quality products, and if they [consumers] need to know every step of
the way, I'm happy to open my farm and show them how we do it."

Other
participants included Humphrey Banack, a grower in Camrose, Alberta who met with
Detlev Kloss, an inventory control manager from Whitby, Ontario; Curt Gessell,
who operates a farm in Delisle, Saskatchewan who met Marie Duggan, an
administrator from Tottenham, Ontario; Brian Vandervalk, a producer in Fort
McLeod, Alberta, who met Mike Reid, a recent university graduate from Toronto;
and Steve Twynstra, a grower in Ailsa Craig, Ontario, who met Gerry Johnston, a
registered nurse from London, Ontario.

Views: 100

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

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