Off-grid farm garners provincial nod Thursday, July 14, 2011 by SUSAN MANNMinimizing their fossil fuel energy footprint has earned the farm owners of Rainbow Heritage Garden in eastern Ontario a provincial innovation award.Kylah Dobson and her husband, Zach Loeks, picked up their regional Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Wednesday afternoon during a ceremony in Carlsbad Springs. They were excited and honoured to win.Dobson says the Premier’s award program is great for sharing innovations with other famers and learning about what other producers are doing on their farms. “It actually allows farmers to network and share innovations through the program.”On their five-acre organic vegetable farm near Cobden in Renfrew County, Dobson and Loeks grow 200 varieties of 30 different crops. Dobson says they’re working towards their organic certification. In addition, they grow as many heirloom crops as possible.Now in their fifth full year of production, Dobson and Loeks sell their crops at two farmers’ markets plus through the Ottawa Valley Food Co-Op. They also have 90 customers in the upper Ottawa Valley through their Community Supported Agriculture program. The entire farm is off the electrical grid. “Everything we do has to be rethought so that we’re using as little energy as possible,” she explains. They’re trying to keep their energy footprint small for themselves but also so they can pass the carbon savings on to their customers.“They know when they’re buying produce from us it has been produced with the least amount of fossil fuel energy possible,” Dobson says.One of the highlights of the farm is a mobile solar generator. Dobson says the whole system of solar panels is mounted on a wagon so it can be transported throughout the farm to wherever it’s needed. “It’s almost always in use, whether it’s pumping our water or charging a drill.” Dobson’s uncle was also a Premier’s award winner from the Cobden/Ottawa area. Grant Dobson and his wife, Dorothy, operate Connaught Nursery. The other winner was Greta’s Organic Gardens of Ottawa. BF Canada-wide milk pooling under discussion Spud packer moves
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online