Sidebar 4: Cathy McKay, 55, South of Port Perry (Durham Region) Monday, May 4, 2009 McKay is the main operator of Nature's Bounty, a farm which she owns with her husband, Marvin Stevenson. They have one son. An apple orchard is the 100-acre farm's primary focus. She also grows pumpkins, squash, gourds, decorative corn and the operation includes 40 ewes, pasture and alfalfa. In the mid-1990s, the couple shifted the farm from exclusively wholesale apple sales to on-farm retail and wholesale. Greatest success. Implementing the transition from wholesale to retail and transforming the farm from a money loser to a profitable business.Greatest challenge. "Being pulled in many directions. Sometimes people don't understand that you are working. Yes, you're home, yes you have some flexibility, but you are working."Words of advice. Farming is a "huge commitment," she says. "You have to really like it." Sidebar 5: Laura Kivits, 32, Dalkeith (Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry) Sidebar 3: Trudy Reid, 29, District of Thunder Bay
Growing Home with BASF Opens 2026 Nominations Wednesday, February 4, 2026 After strong community engagement in 2025, BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada is inviting Canadians to take part once again as nominations open for the 2026 Growing Home with BASF program. Now entering its fourth year, the initiative continues to support organizations that play an... Read this article online
Wean-to-Finish Survivability Drives Performance and Profitability Monday, February 2, 2026 Looking beyond mortality totals to understand survivability challenges and opportunities in wean-to-finish production. Wean-to-finish survivability has become a growing point of pressure for the swine industry. As pigs grow, the financial impact is significantly greater than losses... Read this article online
Grey County Ag Services launches 2026 winter course lineup for farmers and rural residents Friday, January 30, 2026 Grey County Agricultural Services has released its 2026 Winter Course List, offering one of the most diverse and community‑focused educational lineups the organization has ever assembled. Running from February through early April, this year’s program includes hands‑on livestock training,... Read this article online
DIY Spark Plug Test - Keep Engines Running Smoothly Friday, January 30, 2026 From chainsaws to snow blowers, you can keep your small engine equipment in great shape with some preventative maintenance and knowledge. Help keep your machines running smoothly. If you use other small-engine tools on the farm, like chainsaws and other power equipment, spark plugs... Read this article online
Québec names Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as 2026 Outstanding Young Farmers Friday, January 30, 2026 Berthiaume’s leadership at Ferme Porc SB Inc. and her team-centred approach helped drive major productivity gains and earned recognition from Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers. Québec’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) program has named Lori Anne Berthiaume and Steeve Nadeau as the... Read this article online