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
Drew Spoelstra re-elected OFA president Friday, December 6, 2024 Drew Spoelstra has been re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Spoelstra is a dairy and crop farmer from Binbrook in the southeast corner of the city of Hamilton, Ontario. He has been on the OFA board as the director,... Read this article online
Winter is Here: Time to Dust Off the Sled and Make the Most of the Season! Friday, December 6, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq On a snowy winter day, there is nothing quite as magical as the thrill of racing down a hill on a sled. Sleds have brought joy to generations, offering a simple yet unforgettable way to embrace the winter wonderland. With Christmas approaching, now is the... Read this article online
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention Registration Now Open Friday, December 6, 2024 Canada’s top horticulture event for education and networking Online registration is now open for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC), the must-attend annual event for anyone in the horticultural industry. Taking place over two days, the convention is an essential... Read this article online
New projects drive Ontario agritourism forward Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Funding boost expands agritourism opportunities in Ontario Ontario’s agritourism industry is growing with the help of $345,000 in government funding. Agritourism Ontario (AO), rebranded from Farm Fresh Ontario, is using this support to enhance connections between families and local... Read this article online
First edition of Ag & Country published for Western Canada Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Farms.com is pleased to share the inaugural edition of the Ag & Country Directory in Western Canada. The company has produced the Ag & Country Directory in Ontario for several years, and this year launched the Western Canadian version. Farmers in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba... Read this article online