Province focuses on food literacy goals and targets Wednesday, December 17, 2014 Re: MPP wants to bring agri-food career information to the classroom"The agriculture and agri-food industry in Ontario is a dynamic cornerstone for our economy. It contributes $34 billion to our GDP, employs over 760,000 and is full of opportunities.In order to reach the Premier's target of 120,000 new jobs in the industry by 2020, we know that supporting and educating young people about careers in agriculture is essential.Today, students from kindergarten to grade 12 benefit from agricultural education programs and resources offered through Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE). Providing nearly 16,000 resources across Ontario, including newsletters and teacher's guides, OAFE focuses on curriculum-linked materials that help young people explore careers in agriculture and agri-food.But we know there is more to do.That's why we worked across party lines to pass the Local Food Act, the first legislation of its kind in Canada. The Act supports the good things that are grown and made in Ontario. It also requires government to set aspirational food literacy goals and targets.We have been actively consulting with a wide range of stakeholders to develop these targets and we look forward to speaking more about them in the New Year.It's important for Ontarians - especially those starting to think about their future careers - to know about the bright future our agriculture and agri-food industry has to offer, including jobs in primary production, food processing and agri-business.Working collaboratively, we want to ensure we give young Ontarians every opportunity to learn about the agri-food industry and the exciting career potential that it holds.I thank members of the legislature, and all of those in the agriculture and agri-food industry, who are promoting agriculture and helping to position it for growth today and into the future."- Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Time to modernize Ontario's maple syrup regulations says industry Researchers prepare to field test new treatment for bee disease
Poll Reveals Mixed Public Sentiment on BC Ostrich Cull Decision Thursday, October 2, 2025 Farms.com poll shows divided opinions among Canadian farmers on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull. A recent poll conducted on Farms.com's X account @OntAg aimed to capture Canadian farmers' views on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull in British... Read this article online
New Ontario agrobotics challenge seeking high school submissions Thursday, October 2, 2025 A new competition for Ontario high school students is looking for innovative ways to solve challenges in the ag sector. The AgRobotics Ontario Challenge launched at the end of September. The competition is a collaboration between the Western Fair District, the Ontario Council for... Read this article online
Canada Post Strike Continues to Threatens Agri-Businesses and Rural Communities Thursday, October 2, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to take swift action to end the ongoing Canada Post strike, warning that the disruption is causing serious harm to small businesses – including many in the agriculture sector. “The government’s... Read this article online
Farmland Values Climb Across the Prairies-Manitoba Leads, Ontario Holds Steady Thursday, October 2, 2025 Canadian cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 6.0 per cent in the first half of 2025, according to the mid-year farmland values review by Farm Credit Canada (FCC). This marks a modest acceleration compared to the first half of 2024, which saw a 5.5 per cent increase. Over... Read this article online
Setting Foundations for Higher Yielding Soybeans Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Farmers can achieve higher soybean yields by focusing on strong foundations and careful field management according to Shaun Casteel, Extension Soybean Specialist from Purdue University, who spoke at the in August. He emphasized that no single method guarantees success—each field... Read this article online