|
Research
East vs West: Battle of the Winter Lentils
The weather was perfect on November 8th for a tour of Thunder Bay Argicultural Research Station crop trial plots. Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota, director of research and business, pointed out several winter varieties of peas and lentils, noting that there is a difference in the growing patterns of eastern and western varieties. Eastern varieties tend to stand taller in the fall, while the western varieties spread out more along the ground. The technicians at the research station weren’t the only ones to notice this pattern – the deer leave the low-lying varieties alone and nibble on the taller ones. (Perhaps they don’t like to get their lips dirty!) It will be interesting to see how they look in the spring.
Other trials include population studies of combinations of winter wheat and barley seeded together, and other winter cereal trials. For more results, contact the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station directly at info@tbars.net.
|
Looking Back
a Thunder Bay entrepreneur using harvested herbs and plants
 |
Northern Agriculture shines at the RAWF
Should you ever get the chance to attend the annual Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto, take the time to visit the Northern Ontario displays – it will grow your pride for the North and amaze you at the diversity of products available. From aquaculture (fish farming) and Meeker’s Magic Mix (fish compost) from Manitoulin island, to squash and maple syrup soup from Muskoka, to Belle Valley Wools and Thorloe Cheese from Temiskaming, alpaca wool, maple syrup producers, jams and preserves, soil mineral additives – the list is long! Representing Thunder Bay agriculture and processing were Boreal Forest Teas, Boreal Birch Syrup and Bare Organics. The displays were colourful, the samples were delicious, and the vendors demonstrated the friendly spirit that true northerners have. All in all, a great bit of promotion of our area. Thanks to all of the vendors for participating in bring the country to the city! Interested in having a booth at the Northern Ontario Display at the 2012 RAWF? Contact peggy@tbfarminfo.org for more information.
Spanish River Mineral fertilizer - soil additive mined in the Rainy River District
 | |
a Premier's Award Winner!
 | |
CFA President Ron Bonnett speaking at the RAIN event in Sault Ste. Marie
 |
CFA President Brings World Events in Focus for the North
Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie and the Rural Agri-Innovation Network hosted an amazing Agriculture and Food Symposium at the beginning of November. Feature speaker and president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Ron Bonnett, talked about how agriculture is getting more attention than ever in the media and throughout the world. Agriculture today is “top of mind” and people are interested in the roots of their food. Because of price volatility and a growing population, the UN says that food production must rise by 70% by 2050 in order to keep up. Issues such as the Arab Spring can be linked to out of control food prices, and in Greece people fear the financial crisis will make it impossible to afford food in the near future.
Farmers will respond to positive market signals, but will be discouraged by market volatility. As farmers in the North look ahead, they need to have a strategic plan. “In 20 years, Canada will likely be one of 6 countries in the world with the ability to export,” says Bonnett.  Strategic planning, such as the National Food Strategy, is what is needed for this country if farmers want to get ahead. On a farm level, farmers need to have “strategy and focus” as they decide what markets they want to fill. “Local or Export markets, you need to decide and plan accordingly. Where do you want to go, and how are you going to get there?”
Bonnett encouraged farmers to have enthusiasm for what we have in the North. The North has much untapped potential. As a beef producer from the Algoma District and a national symbol of farmers, Bonnett knows many sides of the agriculture story, and Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture salutes him for his commitment to the industry, at all levels.
New President of TBFA, New Northern OFA Director
Congratulations go out to Luke Farmer, the new president of Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture. Luke and his wife Leila operate The Dell Farm, a full-service show barn offering individualized coaching programs for hunter, jumper and equitation riders. The Dell Farm also breeds, produces and sells top level driving and halter prospects for both Percheron and Belgian show circuits. Luke has been a TBFA board member for a number of years, and understands the joys and challenges of farming in Thunder Bay.
Congratulations also go out to Peggy Brekveld, recently installed Northern Director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The Northern Director position covers the Districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Dryden/Kenora, Manitoulin-North Shore, Muskoka, Nipissing East, Nipissing West, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury East, Sudbury West, Temiskaming, and Thunder Bay. Peggy Has been elected to a three year term that started at the end of the annual meeting in November, 2011.
To see a complete list of our current Board of Directors and positions, see our About TBFA page.
|
Success Story
Local Farm Girl Wins Video Contest
(source: Farm and Food Care Ontario)
TBFA congratulates Karly Vis, who won 1st place in the You Tube video, “Country Living” in the first ever Farm Flicks contest, sponsored by Farm & Food Care Ontario and the Farm & Food Care Foundation. The contest was open to Canadians between 16 and 24 years of age. The contestants created a one to two minute video on one of five topics. The videos were posted to YouTube and the contestants were encouraged to widely promote their videos. The winning entry was selected based on the number of views it had on YouTube. Vis’ video received over 400 views on YouTube when the contest closed.
Vis’ video provides a glimpse of the daily activities on her family’s dairy farm and she will receive a $500 cash prize for her first place win. Click here To see Karly’s winning video.
Farm & Food Care Ontario will be launching the second Farm Flicks video contest later in 2012. Details will be posted to the Farm & Food Care Ontario website as well as its Facebook page .
|
|
From the Editor’s Desk
Run with a Fox
My husband and I were recently in Toronto. There, we came across this plaque in a series of artifacts dedicated to Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. There was a copy of a child’s rendition of the child and Terry Fox running, and the statement below.
Technically, it has nothing to do with farming, but I found it encouraging, none the less.
If you ever wonder if the things that you are doing will make a difference in the bigger picture, consider the words below as an inspiration that what you do, no matter how small, will make a difference.
I hope that you are inspired,
Peggy Brekveld
Run with a Fox
“Children sent over 100,000 letters and drawings, which often featured Terry running alongside them, as in this image. Children liked Terry because he appealed to the best part of the human spirit.
Terry’s life makes us ask, “What if?” What if he’d thought about doing the run but then decided not to? He might have survived, but maybe not. The world would have kept spinning. Everything would have been the same, and yet nothing would have been the same. The way we view life and death and courage and strength wouldn’t be the same.
Sometimes we all feel like we’re just one person on earth. Why does anything matter? Why do any of us bother going on? But the fact is that we do go on, and if we follow Terry’s example of making the most difficult choice over all the other ones, our lives can take on a meaning greater than we ever might have dared hope.” |
|
|
Another Great Recipe
Pancakes
Everyone loves thin pancakes at our home. With cold winter days here, having a big breakfast helps give them energy to tackle the chores and snow. I use the partially sifted flour from Brule Creek Farms, but try whichever kind or combination your taste buds like. I also fry up some local breakfast sausages and thaw out a bag of local frozen strawberries from our freezer. This makes a nice healthy breakfast for anyone.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 eggs
- 4 cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
Mix eggs and milk well with a hand whisk or beater. Add flour, sugar and vanilla. Mixture will be thin. Fry each one with lots of milted butter. Set griddle at 375F, the first pancake never turns out, but the rest should have crisp lacy edges. Flip only once when top side is well bubbled.
|
|
Upcoming Agricultural Events and Courses
Sheep Information Meeting- Feb. 4 – Contact OMAFRA
Pre and Post Harvest Water Use – Feb. 14 – 10:30-12:00 – call to reg. @1-877-424-1300
Intro. To Nutrient Management Plan – Feb 16, 17 – reg. online @ www.nutrientmanagement.ca
Vet Committee Mtg. – Feb.16 – 8:00 pm – Rosslyn – Contact Carol @625-0030
TBARS presentation – Feb. 21 – 1:00 – Rosslyn
Poultry Biosecurity Workshop – Feb 24 – Reg. @ 1-888-479-3931
Dairy Housing Seminar – Late Feb or early March – Contact OMAFRA
Roles and Responsibilities of Effective Boards – March 3 – 1:30-3:30 – L.U. – cost $40.00 – register with Ontario Rural Institute @ 1-519-826-4204 or online at www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca
Environmental Farm Plan Workshop – March 6 & 13 – 9:30-3:00 – Kakabeka Legion – contact Jeff Burke @933-0570 or jeff@brulecreekfarms.ca
Growing your Farm Profits Workshop – March 15 & 16 – 9:30-3:30 – Kakabeka Legion- contact Jeff Burke @933-0570 or jeff@brulecreekfarms.ca
Spring Farm Conference – April 10 and 11 – Kakabeka Legion
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Welcome to Thunder Bay Farming!
The weather is cool, but don’t be deceived! There is local produce available year round. Visit the Thunder Bay Country Market and find cheese and squash, flour and beef, and maybe a piece of dessert. This is just a sampling of the great flavors of our region. So taste and see the great food that Thunder Bay has to offer!
|
advertisement
Agriculture Economic Impact Study
Click here to read more |
Website Updates
Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture updates this website three times a year. Information for our next update should be in by May 20th, with our next update posted in the beginning of June. 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
|
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.
|
designed by Blue Snow Imaging
|
