Growourfarms.ca What Is On Your Plate?

2009-08-22T17:10:27.000Z

Farmers depend on a healthy, clean environment to produce quality food, so they make every effort to keep their soil and land in top shape.

Ontario’s farmers don’t just guess what might be best for the environment. They are committed to using the best practices they possibly can, which is why they develop Environmental Farm Plans (EFP). These voluntary assessments address a variety of on-farm areas where farmers can reduce the impact they have on the environment.

Environmental Farm Plans cover things like manure storage and handling, runoff control, integrated pest management and nutrient management. These plans, combined with other government- and producer-led initiatives, have proven to be positive for the environment.

In 1983, Ontario’s farmers and the provincial government decided to aim to cut pesticide use in half over 20 years. By 2003, not only had that goal been achieved, but it was exceeded – 52% to be exact. It doesn’t stop there: farmers continue to decrease their pesticide use by about 3% every year.

This may be because producers are learning efficient and effective pesticide use in pesticide safety training classes.

Better soil conservation measures, such as crop rotation and reducing tillage on farm fields have also led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on farms. So far, these changes have had the same impact as taking 125,000 cars off the road.

For More Information, Visit www.growourfarms.ca

Growourfarms.ca Food Independence

2009-08-22T17:00:41.000Z

With over half of Canada’s best farmland in Ontario, it’s no surprise that Ontario farmers own thousands of hectares of land. That land is used to grow the fruits, vegetables, grains and meats we eat every day.

In the past, farmers often grew a variety of different vegetables or raised many types of livestock all at once. This might have fed a few people, but likely did not go beyond a small community. Now, farmers usually specialize in one type of crop or livestock, so we know they are doing one thing really well. Not only that, but one Canadian farmer can now feed about 120 people for a whole year.

Modern farmers can feed far more people because technology has helped make their crops and farming techniques more efficient. This is important because our population is steadily increasing and more people demand more food.

However, there are also fewer farms every year and Ontario grocery stores import food from other provinces and countries, including items we grow here at home like apples and strawberries.

This leads to increased food prices and the transportation required to bring food across long distances has negative effects on the environment.

Visit www.growourfarms.ca for more information.

All Videos Tagged Farmers (Ontario Agriculture) - Ontario Agriculture

Growourfarms.ca What Is On Your Plate?

Growourfarms.ca Food Independence