Action committee revamps administration Thursday, November 27, 2008 by BETTER FARMING STAFF Elbert van Donkersgoed has left the position of executive director of the Greater Toronto Agricultural Action Committee as of early November. “We came to a mutual agreement, says Peter Lambrick, Campbellville, chairman of the action committee. “Elbert has done well at raising our profile and the committee has decided to maybe go in a more active direction,” Lambrick said Thursday. “We had a meeting last night.” Made up of representatives of local federations of agriculture and municipalities, the action committee promotes agriculture in the Greater Toronto Area. Van Donkersgoed joined the action committee 2.5 years ago after a long stint at the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, most recently as strategic policy advisor. Lambrick says the action committee hopes to have a replacement working soon, with a new job description and a new title: plan coordinator. “We need to be pulling coalitions together and to get more positive results back to the farmers.” Van Donkersgoed was not immediately available for comment. BF Behind the Lines: December 2008 Agricorp makes changes
Royal Canin Clarifies Groundwater Use With Amended Water Permit Near Guelph Thursday, April 16, 2026 Royal Canin Canada Company has received approval from Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to amend its Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for its pet food manufacturing facility near Guelph, Ontario, following weeks of public consultation and local... Read this article online
Proposed USDA budget cuts could shift the North American ag landscape Wednesday, April 15, 2026 The US administration’s latest budget proposal includes a significant reduction to the US Department of Agriculture’s discretionary spending, a move that could have ripple effects across North American agriculture. According to Farms.com reporting, the proposal outlines a... Read this article online
Study reveals key climate drivers of potato beetle outbreaks Tuesday, April 14, 2026 A long term research project from Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Wisconsin is offering new insight into what drives Colorado potato beetle outbreaks, giving US potato growers a clearer picture of how weather patterns and environmental conditions shape one of the... Read this article online
Fuel Tax Suspension Offers Timely Relief for Canadian Farmers Ahead of Peak Growing Season Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Canadian farmers are set to see short-term relief at the fuel pump following a major federal policy announcement that directly affects on-farm operating costs. On April 14, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government will temporarily suspend the Fuel Excise Tax on... Read this article online
Operating farm equipment in Ontario Tuesday, April 14, 2026 Farms.com continues to dive into farm equipment licensing and insurance requirements for Canadian producers with a look at the rules for Ontario. Do Ontarians need a license to drive a tractor? No license is required for a farm tractor or other self-propelled farm equipment whether on private... Read this article online