Irrigating precious crops equals jobs Tuesday, February 9, 2016 Almond, stone fruit, grape and citrus owners once paid $70 an acre foot to irrigate their orchards in Kern County in California's central valley. Now they are paying as much as $1,300 an acre foot, more than 18 times as much, with very little retail increase in their products, says the December newsletter of the national crop insurance program. Yet California agriculture is surviving only because of "massive but unsustainable over pumping" according to a study published by the Pacific Institute, which describes itself as an independent global water think tank.Farm revenue remains strong even though acreage is down by 640,000 acres. The Pacific Institute says some losses have been offset as farmers fallowed their land and sold water rights to growers of high-value crops. The study is available at http://pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2015/08/ImpactsOnCaliforniaDrought-Ag.pdfAccording to the study, a California acre of fresh tomatoes, melons, squash or cucumbers supports more than 160 jobs. BF Appeal lost for obstructionist farmers Grow-ops cause Pacific power blowouts
Documentary Sheds Light on Farmerettes who Helped Feed a Nation Saturday, August 2, 2025 During World War II, food shortages became a serious issue for Canada and its allies. With many men away at war, the government formed the Ontario Farm Service Force, sending 40,000 teenage girls from Ontario and Quebec —known as the Farmerettes—to help farms in Southwestern... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Friday, August 1, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online
Do you have a grain bin that needs repair? Friday, August 1, 2025 Maintaining grain bins in optimal condition is a constant challenge for farmers. However, with the cool tools InstaGRIP Tile and GlassSTEEL, this task becomes significantly easier and more efficient. These cutting-edge solutions offer quick and durable repairs, ensuring your grain bins... Read this article online
CN’s 2025-26 Grain Plan is now available Friday, August 1, 2025 CN (Canadian National Railway) has released its . It’s a plan that demonstrates CN’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-performance service through disciplined planning, targeted infrastructure investments, and proactive supply chain collaboration. For this past crop year,... Read this article online
Ontario’s AALP Class 21 Leaders Announced for 2025 Friday, August 1, 2025 The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is proud to announce the selection of 18 emerging leaders from across Ontario for Class 21 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). Set to begin their leadership journey in August 2025, these participants represent diverse sectors of Ontario’s... Read this article online