Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture

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Looking Back

Thunder Bay Farms Host Finnish Agriculture Students
(submitted by Julie Rosenthal)

Finnish Student Emma working with horses at the Bockus Homestead

Two Finnish students from the Kainuu Vocational College spent their summer participating in on-farm placements in the Thunder Bay area. Sini Kuiri and Emma Määtä enthusiastically worked with their host families at Aspen Croft Heritage Farm, Reidridge Farm, Woodstar Farm, and Bockus Homestead. The students helped milk, make hay and silage, tend gardens, harvest and preserve produce, care for livestock, and maintain fencing and outbuildings. Sini and Emma were warmly received by their host families, who made sure their stay was not all work and no play: day trips to the Sleeping Giant, High Falls, Mount McKay, and Kakabeka Falls, as well as a canoe paddle along the McIntyre River were some of the highlights of the girls' seven-week stay in the area. The opportunity to host students from Finland arose out of a Lakehead University field course that Dr. William Wilson led to northern Europe in 2010, which was supported in part by the Food Security Research Network. We hope to build on this partnership and host additional students in the coming years.

President's Message:
"We're All In This Together"
by Peggy Brekveld

Even though I watched episodes of the Red Green Show more than once and some of the humour is predictable, I still enjoy it. In the weekly Handyman's Corner segment, Red always ends his sage advice with, "And remember, I'm routin' for ya - we're all in this together." There is something to be said about knowing that someone else understands your position or the struggles that you are having. It doesn't mean that they instantly know what path you should take, but rather that they are with you in this. They are going to help you find the solutions that will satisfy your needs and theirs. Together, you will go through this rough time, right to the end.

greenhouse basil

This is the challenge that farming as a whole suffers - we sometimes feel misunderstood and underappreciated. We get discouraged when cattle prices do not allow us to make even minimum wage for the work that we do. We know frustration when we are asked to provide ecological services such as wildlife habitat with no compensation from those who suggest these laws. It feels like no one understands what farming represents to the entire province - its economical, environmental and social contributions to our mutual home.

This is why farmers need is a strong advocate. We need individuals and organizations to bring across the message that farmers are important to everyone. There are many messages that need to be broadcast from east to west and north to south.

We eat, therefore we all need farmers.
Farmers need programs that provide stability to our income, and should provide enough income to support our families.
Farmers, as the second largest landowner group after the Crown, are stewards of the land and should be compensated for the good that they do on behalf of all of society.
Government can show that they stand behind Ontario farmers when they choose to showcase local food at their events and in their institutions.

This is only a few of the stories that need to be shared with our governments and with society as a whole. Who will share these messages on behalf of farmers? Who are our advocates? The Ontario Federation of Agriculture continues to bring the message that farming is important to this great province, and it advocates for our collective needs. Your local federation is often a connection to the local media and politicians. Many of the farm commodity groups are excellent promoters of the amazing food we grow and the challenges of getting that food onto your table. And everyone knows of special individuals that are the face of farming in your community.

How can you help those who advocate for farming? It's a case of sharing your stories with them so that they can properly represent the industry. It's about supporting them by volunteering or encouraging them in their work, or even through financial support. It's about attending events and annual meetings, answering e-mail inquiries and being ready to help where needed. Advocates need you, too.

Small square baling on a perfect summer day!

Also, never forget that whether you are formally involved in an organization or not, you are an advocate for farming. People remember that you are a farmer whether you are exhibiting at the local fair, or allowing gleaning in your fields, or simply by being an active part of your community. Be "Proud to Farm" wherever you go. "We're all in this together."

Events

Vote ON Food and Farming
Sept 14th, 2011, 7:00pm
Join the debate, meet local politiacians and voice your questions on Food and Farming CLE Hertitage Building
Contact Raili Roy at weaver@foodsecurityresearch.ca

RMP Information Session
September 26th, 2011, 7-9:30pm
Discover what the Risk Management Plan means to your farm Pre-registration is required
Murillo Town Hall
Contact OMAFRA 1-800-461-6132

TBSCIA Shop Night/MTO Information Session
September 22nd, 2011, 8:00pm
Info about MTO rules and regulations for farm vehicles Martin's Machinery on Hwy 11-17
Contact Christina Mol christinamol@hotmail.com

Herding Demonstration
October 1st, 2011
Put on by the Cattlemen's Association Contact Carol Maki carolmaki@tbfarminfo.org

Ontario Election
October 6th, 2011
Vote for Farming and for Food Policy!

Thanksgiving
October 10th
We are ever thankful for bountiful harvests, life on the land and this amazing country we live in.

Corn reached amazing heights this year, with one farmer reporting stalks over 14 feet tall

TBFA Annual Meeting
November 3, 2011
Great food and a chance to hear about what your federation has been up to this year!
Kakabeka Legion
Contact Dennis Widdifield at DennisWiddifield@tbfarminfo.org

OFA Annual Convention
November 21 and 22, 2011
Doubletree Hotel, Toronto
www.ofa.on.ca

Power of the Wind
and a hail storm
A localized wind and hail storm hit the area just north of Murillo on September 2nd. Below are pictures of the damage at a few farms from heavy winds and large jagged hail. Equipment blown over, windows broken, a riding arena blown to bits and silage plastic that looks like sieves. It's amazing what can happen in ten minutes!

Jagged hail that fell on September 2nd

Riding arena at Therapeutic Riding Association destroyed and barn damaged by the debris

Size of holes from the hail storm in plastic silage bags

Trees down from the storm

Pocked tin and smashed plexiglass from the hail

Research
TBARS Funding in Place for Next 3 Years

The Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station (TBARS for short) continues to take on research projects that help understand the challenges and opportunities of growing crops in the Northwestern Ontario climate. At the TBARS' Summer Open House, MPP Bill Mauro and Honourable Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, Michael Gravelle, announced new funding, which is great news for farmers and as such for our whole society. The Ontario government is providing $621,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.’s infrastructure and community development program. The money will be used for the research project, 'Efficient and Economic use of Fertilizer Nutrients' which TBARS is conducting. The research project is important since fertilizer prices are rising, which makes efficient use of these fertilizer nutrients that much more essential. According to TBARS research and businesses director, Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota, funding both from the public and private sectors is critical for research.

Margaret Mol and TBARS technician Harjit Dhillon examine camelina pods

In the mean time, TBARS has expanded its research on new crops, one of them being camelina. This oilseed crop is evaluated for its seed, oil yield and quality. Camelina has many qualities that make it attractive for commercial applications in the modern world. These qualities include a relatively high seed oil content (>40 %) rich in omega-3, 45-47 % crude protein in the meal and 10-11 % fiber. It flourishes under adverse weather conditions and exhibits an enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. Thunder Bay may be the only location in the province of Ontario where 10 varieties of Camelina are being evaluated in systematic field experiments.

Camelina seeds at TBARS

Source: TBARS

Another Great Recipe

Navy Bean Soup

At this time of year, Peggy loves to make a homemade vegetable soup. Below is one of her favourites! This recipe serves a houseful, because that is what she has most days that she makes it. Feel free to reduce the portions. You can also mix and freeze the vegetables in bags, ready for the next pot of soup. Locally available food is in bold.

Ingredients:

1 lb sliced bacon, cut into small pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 sweet peppers, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 leek chopped (optional)
Approx. 1 litre water (more or less to taste)
1 box Lipton tomato vegetable soup mix
2 cups tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can tomato chunks)
2 small cans brown beans

In a large pot fry the bacon until slightly crispy. Drain of f most of the fat. Add onion, peppers, leek and carrot and fry for a few moments as you would a stir fry. Add the water and soup mix, stir well and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes. Allow to simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to mingle. Just before serving, add the brown beans and stir. Soooo good!

Local Initiative
Considering Tiling Your Field?
The Thunder Bay Co-op and Farm Supplies is looking at negotiating tiling as a group in order to reduce costs for all. If you are interested in this initiative and are a member of the co-op, please contact Ben at 475-5190 or tbcoop@tbaytel.net.

Success Stories
Local Premier Award Winners
Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture congratulates Dave Chalen and Beth Kuiper who won the Regional Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. In 2006, Boreal Birch Syrup began to make what has become a signature product of Northwestern Ontario - birch syrup. Using the same process used for maple syrup, the company has developed a new niche product that taps into our collective history. It takes 80-100 litres of sap birch sap to make one litre of syrup, compared to 20-40 L of maple sap. One of Boreal Birch Syrup's goals is ensuring ”the health of our birch stand and the land on which the trees grow. Sustainable use of the boreal forest is our utmost priority while producing delicious birch syrup.”
Boreal Birch Syrup also produce birch woodcarvings, birch bark baskets, birch syrup flavoured food products and shiitake mushrooms grown on birch logs out of a 65-acre birch forest that was once slated to be clear-cut.
This is its sixth season of production and Boreal Birch Syrup is doubling its operation to 1,000 taps. They are confident that there is huge potential for more producers to supply a growing international market.
Boreal Birch Syrup is available at the Thunder Bay Country Market. TBFA wishes them the best as they continue to grow and expand this uniquely northern business.

AALP Class 14 Announced
TBFA congratulates Christina Mol on her acceptance into Class 14 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. As Secretary/Treasurer of TB District Soil and Crop Improvement Association and her continuing work at Lakehead University and Food Security Research Network, Christina will be a great asset to the current Class of Ontario Leaders. On top of that, she was the only participant selected from the North. Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture is certain that she will do a great job of representing our area. Way to go Christina!

Eastern CSA Director from Thunder Bay
Congratulations also go out to Tarlok Singh Sahota on becoming the Eastern Director of the Canadian Society of Agonomy. As Director of Research and Business at Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station since 2004, Sahota has been putting Thunder Bay on the map with his research projects into a variety of crops, both new and traditional, as well as farm management practices and other nutrient related research. TBFA is certain that his work on the CSA board will be highly valuable to the entire Canadian research community. All the best in your new position, Tarlok!

Funding for this project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program, Farm Credit Canada, Food Security Research Network and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Harvest Time in Thunder Bay
Now is the time to taste the best that our area farms have to offer. Crunch into a bright orange carrot, boil up some super-sweet corn, try some of the preserves made from area berries on homemade bread with a glass of cold milk. Don't forget the apple and pumpkin pies for dessert! Yum!

Clowning around at the Murillo Fair milking competition

Agriculture Economic Impact Study
Click here to read more

Website Updates
Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture updates this website quarterly. Information for our next update should be in by December 20th, with our next update posted in the beginning of January. If you would like to advertise in our business directory or our events calendar, contact peggy@tbfarminfo.org.

Teaching Resources

Have questions about agriculture? want to get the real facts about farming? Check out the resources available through Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. website. www.oafe.org

The Thunder Bay Dairy Educator is available to teachers for presentations on dairy farming and dairy goodness. Contact your Thunder Bay Dairy Educator today for your FREE visit! Trudy Reid-935-3224 or reidridgefarm@rogers.com

Links
Local Farm Weather
www.farmissues.com

Job Opportunities
Co-operative learning students and farm hands
Co-operative learning students and farm hands are always needed in the area. If you are interested in such an opportunity, please call Peter Aalbers at 939-1644 or e-mail him at peter@tbfarminfo.org.