Wynn defends proposed Local Food Act Thursday, April 18, 2013 by SUSAN MANN The reintroduced Local Food Act is currently in second reading at Queen’s Park and continues to face criticism from the Progressive Conservatives. Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman says in an April 19 press release Bill 36, the Local Food Act, misses many opportunities to address challenges in local food production, distribution and education. He’s also concerned the bill, which includes a local food week that starts the Monday before Thanksgiving, will replace Ontario Agriculture Week with Local Food Week. The week before Thanksgiving has been earmarked as Ontario Agriculture Week since 1998 to recognize farmers. But in a prepared statement, Premier and Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne says Agriculture Week has been a great vehicle for recognizing Ontario farmers. “The addition of Local Food Week does not replace this recognition but adds to it.” She also says “this important piece of legislation is designed to increase awareness of, and access to, local food. We know that when consumers choose to buy the good things that grow in Ontario, we’re supporting made-in-Ontario jobs and a healthy population.” Bill 36 aims to make more local food available in the province’s markets, grocery stores and institutions. Wynne reintroduced the bill in March after a previous one died last year when the Ontario legislature was temporarily suspended in October by Dalton McGuinty, former premier. BF Agriculture's net worth increased from 2003 to 2011 says bank analyst Ontario cheese takes top spot
Poll Reveals Mixed Public Sentiment on BC Ostrich Cull Decision Thursday, October 2, 2025 Farms.com poll shows divided opinions among Canadian farmers on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull. A recent poll conducted on Farms.com's X account @OntAg aimed to capture Canadian farmers' views on the Supreme Court’s decision to halt the ostrich cull in British... Read this article online
New Ontario agrobotics challenge seeking high school submissions Thursday, October 2, 2025 A new competition for Ontario high school students is looking for innovative ways to solve challenges in the ag sector. The AgRobotics Ontario Challenge launched at the end of September. The competition is a collaboration between the Western Fair District, the Ontario Council for... Read this article online
Canada Post Strike Continues to Threatens Agri-Businesses and Rural Communities Thursday, October 2, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on the federal government to take swift action to end the ongoing Canada Post strike, warning that the disruption is causing serious harm to small businesses – including many in the agriculture sector. “The government’s... Read this article online
Farmland Values Climb Across the Prairies-Manitoba Leads, Ontario Holds Steady Thursday, October 2, 2025 Canadian cultivated farmland values rose by an average of 6.0 per cent in the first half of 2025, according to the mid-year farmland values review by Farm Credit Canada (FCC). This marks a modest acceleration compared to the first half of 2024, which saw a 5.5 per cent increase. Over... Read this article online
Setting Foundations for Higher Yielding Soybeans Wednesday, October 1, 2025 Farmers can achieve higher soybean yields by focusing on strong foundations and careful field management according to Shaun Casteel, Extension Soybean Specialist from Purdue University, who spoke at the in August. He emphasized that no single method guarantees success—each field... Read this article online