This week, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, wrapped up a successful outreach to Calgary and communities across southern Alberta. To begin his outreach, Minister MacDonald announced an investment of nearly $900,000 for SmartGRO Bioengineering Inc. under the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program – Research and Innovation Stream. In partnership with Hydragreens vertical farm, this funding enables SmartGRO to test and scale new clean lighting technology that helps indoor agriculture producers grow more while using less electricity. In addition to the $750 million investment dedicated to controlled environment agriculture, through the National Food Security Strategy, innovations like these boost the sector by lowering costs and helping local producers grow more of our food year-round, closer to home. While in Bow Island, Minister MacDonald visited a multi-generational farm to discuss pulse and sugar beet operations. In Barnwell, he saw the prod
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) today launched a 60-day Expression of Interest (EOI) process for its new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance initiative. Organizations are invited to bring forward major agri-food processing and manufacturing projects across Canada in support of a stronger, more resilient and affordable food system for all Canadians. As part of the Government of Canada's National Food Security Strategy, the specialized financing is designed to advance construction-ready, infrastructure projects that expand food processing and manufacturing capacity across Canada. By expanding food processing here at home, Agri-food Project Finance aims to create more value-added Canadian agricultural products, strengthen domestic supply chains and improve long-term food security. "Our government is focused on strengthening Canada's food system so Canadians can count on a reliable supply of high-quality, affordable food," said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald. "This new
JBS Food and Cargill in Alberta, and True North Foods in Manitoba, are approved to export to the Dominican Republic
A collection of goings on in agriculture east of Ontario and Quebec
The U.S. corn harvest made modest progress this past week, while soybean harvest got underway. USDA’s weekly crop progress report on Monday showed 8% of the U.S. corn crop had been harvested as of Sunday, up from 5% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 6%. Meanwhile, the national soybean harvest was 6% complete, twice the five-year average of 3% and slightly ahead of 5% at the same point last year. Illinois had harvested 8% of its corn crop as of Sunday, while Iowa and Indiana were each 2% complete. North Dakota was 1% harvested, while Michigan and Ohio had yet to register measurable progress. For soybeans, Illinois had harvested 4% of its soybean crop, while Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and North Dakota were each 3% complete. Michigan had yet to report measurable harvest progress. Corn development also moved quickly during the week. Nationally, 42% of the crop had reached maturity, up sharply from 25% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 38%. Illinois
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all we ever wanted to do was farm a hundred acers with some beef and goats
they say no one has interest in small family farms
we are a dad 45 daughter 24 son
we would beef farm in manitoulin islands where people dont even care anymore
or look after the farms and fences
but where do people like us get the money when you have no family
to help
we are willing to work and live in a garbage house for anyone that would help us
get the farm and pay it off over the next twenty years
by then i will be sixty and my son and daughter could take over
wheres the help? I know farmers in ontario that have THREE three hundred thousand dollar combines PAID FOR and trade every two years
wheres the support for new farmers LIKE us thats all we have EVER WANTED
integrity@cyg.net
All the best to you and yours in 2010!
Steve