Sidebar 1: Carmina Halstead, 25, Norfolk County Monday, May 4, 2009 Halstead and her brother Bill are partners in Norfolk Organics and Nightingale Farms. Nightingale Farms grows more than 1,000 acres of conventional vegetables and contracts another 400 acres. Norfolk Organics grows 200 acres of organic vegetables and contracts another 100 acres. They raise all plants from seed and grade, pack and ship directly to chains such as Loblaws, Sobeys, A&P and Costco, as well as smaller chains and independents. Over the past year, they have also introduced value-added initiatives such as bagging different-coloured peppers. Greatest success. Starting the organic company and adapting to consumer demand.Greatest challenge. Becoming involved in farming and gaining recognition "that you know what's going on."Words of advice. "Women can learn anything, but there will be hurdles. As long as you push through and you love what you're doing, keep going. Things will change; people will change; and it will all work out." Sidebar 2: Alice Uher, 52, north of Blenheim (Municipality of Chatham-Kent) Cover Story - May 2009: Women's Changing Role on the Farm - from helpmate to full-time manager
AALP Dream Gala tops $110,000 for leadership programming Sunday, August 23, 2026 The () raised more than $110,000 to support leadership development within Ontario’s agri-food sector, according to the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Held at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora, the biennial fundraising event was organized by participants and recent graduates of .... Read this article online
Canadian Farmers Face Fresh Uncertainty After Canada-U.S. Trade Talks End Without Deal Sunday, August 23, 2026 Canada's agriculture sector is bracing for renewed trade uncertainty after Canada and the United States failed to finalize a new trade agreement before Friday's deadline, triggering another round of tariffs and heightening concerns about the future of one of the world's most important... Read this article online
US-Canada tariff uncertainty continues to concern businesses and farmers Wednesday, August 19, 2026 As of late August 2026, trade relations between Canada and the United States remain under pressure as both countries work to finalize an agreement aimed at preventing a new round of tariffs from disrupting cross-border commerce. While a temporary reprieve has been secured, uncertainty... Read this article online
Woolwich Farmland Fight - Petition Urges Council to Protect Prime Ontario Agricultural Land Monday, August 17, 2026 A proposal to redesignate 107acres of agricultural land in Woolwich Township for employment and industrial development is drawing increasing opposition from residents and farmland advocates who say the project would come at the expense of valuable farmland and the region's agricultural... Read this article online
Gay Lea Expands Dairy Plant for Protein Demand Monday, August 17, 2026 Gay Lea Foods has announced an investment of more than $200 million to expand its dairy manufacturing facility in Toronto, Ontario. The project is designed to increase production capacity and help meet the rising demand for high-protein dairy products, including cottage cheese. The... Read this article online