Sidebar 1: How solar panels work Thursday, April 2, 2009 The process of converting small particles of light into electricity is called the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. PV cells are usually made of silicon. When sunlight hits the PV cell, the photons "knock" electrons loose from their atoms, creating a current. Cells have metal contacts on the top and bottom to draw off the current to be used as electricity. Since solar cells are not very efficient, much of the sunlight being either being reflected or absorbed by the cell (like heat). Typically, a cell has an efficiency of about 15 per cent. However, Steven Novack of the Idaho National Laboratories has come up with an inexpensive, foldable solar panel which may turn out to be up to 80 per cent efficient, when and if it comes to market.The key measures of electricity are: • Kilowatt: 1000 watts.• Kilowatt hour: A unit of energy equivalent to one kilowatt of power expended for one hour.• Megawatt: one million watts. BF Sidebar 2: OFA wants solar on buildings, not farmland Dairy farmers favour quota price cap
Harvest Weather Alert: Midwest Rain Risks Rise as Super El Nino Strengthens Monday, September 21, 2026 As summer gives way to autumn, farmers across the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada are watching a weather pattern that appears poised to become increasingly active during the heart of harvest season. According to Nutrien Ag Solutions meteorologist Eric Snodgrass, recent atmospheric... Read this article online
U of G Launches Powering Food Futures Initiative, Invites Farmers to Shape Canada’s Agri-Food Future Monday, September 21, 2026 A new national initiative is inviting farmers, industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to help shape the future of Canada’s agri-food sector at a time when food security, climate resilience and global competitiveness are taking on heightened importance. Powering Food Futures, a... Read this article online
Green Care Farms celebrates five years of dementia care Monday, September 21, 2026 What a wonderful event! As communities recognize World Alzheimer's Day 2026, Green Care Farms marked a major milestone: five seasons operating Canada's first care farm designed specifically for people living with dementia. The celebration took place on September 19, 2026, at Andrews... Read this article online
Organic Farming in Canada Enters the Mainstream as Market Nears $12 Billion Thursday, September 17, 2026 September is recognized as Organic Month across Canada, offering an opportunity to feature a sector that has transformed from a niche market into a significant component of Canadian agriculture. For many years, organic farming was often viewed as a specialized production system... Read this article online
FCC Launches $1 Billion Agri-food Project Finance Fund for Canadian Food Processing Growth Thursday, September 17, 2026 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has opened a 60-day Expression of Interest (EOI) process for a new $1 billion Agri-food Project Finance initiative, marking one of the largest targeted investments in Canadian food processing infrastructure in recent years. The financing program is intended to... Read this article online