Straw sculptures a hit in Perth Monday, November 3, 2014 Cathy Biemen, general manager of the Perth County Visitors' Association, got the idea for Perth's first straw sculpture tour when she spied a straw RV at last year's International Plowing Match in Mitchell, Ont. She reasoned that a straw sculpture tour would be a great way to get people checking out the farms and businesses of Perth County.Five farms and six businesses created sculptures out of hay bales and put them on display from Sept. 5 to 19. Visitors voted on the best sculpture for a chance at prizes. Sculptures included a giant spider, a tractor, a giant farmer and a chicken, but in the end it was Smelski Pumpkin Farm and their sculpture of a Spider and Pumpkin who won the Judge's Choice award and Neubrand Country Produce winning People's Choice for Best Straw Sculpture with its Large Vegetable Basket.The real prize, however, was increased business and exposure for the participants. Biemen saw the tour as a way to "familiarize people with farm-gate sales" by having farmers sell their products to those who came to view and vote on the sculptures. "A lot of people are very hesitant to actually go to somebody's farm and buy food," Biemen said. "I'm hoping that this will break down those barriers a little bit."Biemen called the event "very successful . . . people are excited about it," and predicts that "next year will be bigger and better." BF Needed: financial protection for produce sellers in the Canadian market Arab farmer in udder shock as billy goat produces milk
Potato industry on PEI to save up to $7 million because of cuts to bridge tolls Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Effective August 1, 2025, tolls on the Confederation Bridge will drop dramatically, with personal vehicle tolls falling from $50.25 to $20. Commercial vehicles will also benefit from these reductions. In addition, ferry tolls in Newfoundland and Labrador and other regions will see... Read this article online
Soil Compaction Challenges Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Ontario’s spring planting faced challenges from soil compaction, impacting crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Despite some areas experiencing rapid planting under ideal conditions, other regions, even those with lighter soils, struggled due to excessive rainfall. The team at OMAFA –on... Read this article online
2026 Grains Innovation Fund is now open Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers, is now accepting applications for its . “This year marks another exciting chapter for the Grains Innovation Fund,” stated Paul... Read this article online
Applications Open for Grains Innovation Fund 2026 Monday, July 28, 2025 Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province’s largest commodity organization representing 28,000 farmers, is now accepting applications for the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund offers grants up to $75,000 to support innovative projects that promote the use of Ontario’s grains such as... Read this article online
Sowing the Seeds of the Future -- A Fresh Look at Farm Succession in Canada Monday, July 28, 2025 “You’ve worked the land for decades—through changing seasons, shifting markets, and long days that begin before sunrise," says Jason Castellan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Skyline when he spoke with Farms.com. “You know every acre, every decision, every responsibility that... Read this article online