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
Canadian Meat Council Sets New Plan to Strengthen Red Meat Competitiveness Thursday, November 12, 2026 Canada’s red meat processing sector has a new three-year strategy aimed at strengthening its competitiveness as meat companies navigate changing trade relationships, regulatory pressures and an increasingly complicated global marketplace. The Canadian Meat Council (CMC) has released... Read this article online
Upcoming winter Ontario farm shows Thursday, November 12, 2026 As Ontario producers continue the 2026 harvest, lessons from the season that was, and preparation for 2027 begins with the winter farm show circuit. Here are some of the shows farmers can attend in the next few months. The Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference East takes place Nov.... Read this article online
CANZA Expands Climate-Smart Farming Program by 36,000 Ontario Acres Thursday, November 12, 2026 Ontario farmers interested in adding regenerative practices to their operations will have another opportunity to receive financial and agronomic support in 2027. Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-Food (CANZA) is expanding its Million Acre Challenge by 36,000 acres, with... Read this article online
Hensall Co-op Awards $17,500 to Seven Ontario Students Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Seven post-secondary students are receiving financial support from Hensall Co-op as they pursue education connected to agriculture and the future of rural communities. The Ontario farmer-owned co-operative has announced the 2026 recipients of its Bright Futures Scholarships, with each... Read this article online
Ag organizations call for immediate pause to Alto project Tuesday, November 10, 2026 Three Canadian farm groups are asking the federal government to suspend the Alto rail project. The presidents of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) in Quebec wrote to Transport Minister Steven... Read this article online