by Jim Algie
Systemic barriers remain to the full development of Ontario’s local food potential, several observers say.
Barriers highlighted during a series of recent Better Farming interviews include: challenges of access to capital, lack of co-ordinated distribution and the centralized purchasing habits of large, institutional food buyers such as hospitals.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Producers can take lead roles in digitizing and automating their operations, thanks to the introduction of open source software into the ag industry and the sophistication of electronic devices.
by Jim Algie
Among all Canadian provinces, Ontario had the largest number of farms reporting direct marketing, the 2016 census of agriculture said.
A total of 7,474 Ontario farms sold directly to consumers through such methods as farm gate stands, farmers markets and you-pick enterprises, Statistics Canada’s June 2017 “Growing Opportunity Through Innovation in Agriculture” article said.
by Jim Algie
A new capital pool for Ontario’s local food producers and related businesses seeks to solve at least one financial challenge facing entrepreneurs in the sector, said Sally Miller, Local Food and Farm Co-ops project manager.
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Once rural landfills reach their capacities, communities can collaborate to repurpose these sites.
“Some places have successfully used landfills to create new local features, like parks,” Dr. Dianne Saxe, the environmental commissioner of Ontario, told Better Farming.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Many rural Ontario municipalities have struggled to deal with soil dumping operations. In the process, some residents have diligently tackled this problem and encouraged change in their regions.
Pat Cardoza, a beef farmer in Holland Centre, is one such individual.
By: Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
Producers could use sensor-based precision herbicide applications as another tool to fight hard-to-control weeds in their fields.
By Nicholas Van Allen
Writer
Better Farming
WeedMD’s management built the company’s Strathroy facility with the help of Jerry Zakaria, CEO of Perfect Pick Farms.
Zakaria owns 98 acres of land and rents five of them to WeedMD. Soon, this rental arrangement will grow to 12 acres as part of WeedMD’s expansion into cannabis extraction. WeedMD also has an option to buy the other 86 acres.
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Better Farming
As stakeholders consider ways to implement Ontario’s soil health strategy, a Certified Crop Adviser from Middlesex County provides grounded tips on how producers can adopt new soil management practices on their farms.