"Big Bucks" garnished a lot of attention at the Regional Career Fair 2009. The local rabbit, along with two chickens, were great conversation starters at the local regional Career Fair 2009 held in May at the Confederation College Aviation Centre of Excellence.
It gave Linda Turk, TBFA member services rep, and her army of volunteers a chance to talk about growing things, whether crops or animals, and the sciences that go with agriculture. "There are many opportunities to study for a career in farming and agriculture, here in Ontario and across this country. The range of agricultural support industries is endless," says Turk, as she handed out the last few pamphlets from the University of Guelph on the second day of the fair. Big Bucks and his feathered companions made many smile, particularly when one of the chickens laid an egg. For their part, Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture was awarded 3rd prize for Most Interactive display.
TBFA thanks all those who volunteered to help promote careers in agriculture. And, anyone looking for more info on agriculture careers, contact Linda Turk at linda@tbfarminfo.org.

Rain or shine, customers come to the Thunder Bay Country Market to buy fresh farm produce, often straight from the farmer. TBCM has seen much growth in the last few years. Regularly one can see up to 5000 people at the market. And now, there are even more opportunities to buy fresh and local. Responding to consumer demands for local food more often, Thunder Bay Country Market is now open on Wednesday nights from 4-8 pm, as well as its regular Saturday mornings from 8am-1pm.



There are a few fresh faces amongst the vendors, including Sandy Acres Farms, a local beef producer.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 to 45 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6

July 14
Thunder Bay Soil and Crop Improvement Assoc. Crop Tour
Check out berseem, peas, winter wheat and more.
Starts at TBARS at 10am
Contact: info@tbars.net

August 5-9
Canadian Lakehead Exhibition "See you at the Fair!"
Contact: info@cle.on.ca

August 29-30
Murillo Fall Fair "Country Fun For Everyone..."
Contact: greenwayfarms@hotmail.com

September 1
Thunder Bay Soil and Crop Improvement Assoc. Crop Tour
Check out corn varieties, soybeans and more!
Contact: info@tbars.net

September 6-7
Hymers Fall Fair
"Fun for the Whole Family!"
Contact: info@hymersfair.com

September 12
Slate River Plowing Match
Plowing since 1927
Contact Tom Loghrin

The Iron Wolf can be heard "howling" in the Thunder Bay Area. Recently two local dairy farmers have leased the Iron Wolf, a land clearing device that mulches trees and mixes them into the soil, creating tillable acres where bush once was.
Used mainly in clearing land for electricity lines and gas pipelines, the hope is that this piece of equipment may cut down the amount of time it takes to clear land, a process that has seen an increase in the last five years. Traditionally, the large trees are cut off, and the land is laid idle for a few years. Stumps are pushed into burning piles, which need to be burned, repiled and burned again. Roots need to be pulled out as well. This can take up to five years before the farmer can bring the land into production. If all goes well, the Iron Wolf could cut the time down to one year. There are challenges, though, and we wait to hear if this is a profitable or cost-saving method of clearing land. Still, the potential for more acreage to be farmed in the Thunder Bay area is great. Some estimate that there is about double the land currently in production that could be farmed, mostly in the outlying townships, such as Pearson and Marks. Farming in Thunder Bay agriculture has a positive outlook for the years ahead.