Pre-production work and fundraising has started for a million dollar film project aimed at informing people about the use of biotechnology in food and farming. “Know GMO: An Uplifting Discussion About Food” will explore the impact of genetic modification, asking questions about how to feed a growing human population, says Rob Saik, the executive producer… Read More
Category: Advocacy
A media training exercise I do with some of my colleagues is to get farmers to pitch us agriculture stories, and we respond like journalists would. It’s a bit exaggerated — the farmers don’t have much time to think about their stories, and we kick back when the pitch is made, to ensure they’ve covered… Read More
Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan is set to serve up “menus of opportunity and food for thought” at its official launch event coming up next week. Joe Kleinsasser, Interim Board Chair for Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, has been immersed in the formation of the new organization. “Farm & Food Care presents tremendous opportunities to connect… Read More
Got a minute? That’s about all it takes to start thinking about agvocating. You never know where your commitment will lead. That’s the word from Greg Peterson, the 23-year-old Internet phenom from the mid-Kansas PetersonFarm Brothers. Some of my University of Guelph agricultural communications students and I were lucky to spend time with Greg earlier… Read More
From water barrel races to full-contact jousting, Canadian Western Agribition is boasting all kinds of new events this year. Included in that line-up is the thinkAg Career and Education Expo, which launched November 26, 2014. “The agriculture industry offers challenging and exciting careers in a number of different fields,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz…. Read More
Yesterday, the Ontario premier’s office and the ministry of the environment and climate change revealed its plan to restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments. The goal, referred to as “aspirational,” is to reduce the number of Ontario corn and soybean acres planted with the seed treatment by 80% by the year 2017. The details… Read More
It’s not often a farmer gets to show off — and explain — what’s happening in his wheat field on national television during primetime hours. Humphrey Banack of Round Hill, Alberta had the opportunity this fall when he hosted comedian Rick Mercer and his CBC camera crew for a day of combining wheat (if you… Read More
It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, people in some countries were rioting over the rising price of grain. Production was low and competition was increasing. Natural disasters or some other phenomena had cut into supply, while biofuels and renewable fuel sources that use grain as a feedstock were starting to gain… Read More
This past Saturday, November 8th, saw the 2014 Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition crown its winners at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Noah Burnett from Cormack, Newfoundland, took first place in the Junior competition with his speech discussing why he will choose a career in agriculture. First runner-up was Jyllian Kaliciak from… Read More
If your name is Kelly Daynard, you’ve likely been very, very busy over the last few months. That’s because Farm & Food Care Ontario, the organization Daynard is communications manager for, is rolling out several huge projects right now, while simultaneously supporting other provincial chapters of the organization to get off the ground. From the… Read More
Things have changed quickly in society, maybe faster than ever. For example, I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up, science was definitely not cool. One of my contemporaries (age-wise), a top-notch, internationally respected environmental toxicologist, reiterated that for me recently during a discussion about occupational choices. “I didn’t become a scientist… Read More
What do you get when you combine footage from a GoPro, UAV, time-lapse camera, smartphone, with film editing software and a fantastic soundtrack? You get the video below — an entire growing season, from seed treating, to growth stages, to harvest — in about 11 minutes. Alberta farmer Jay Schultz (@WheatlanderJay) and his family have… Read More
Hearing yourself on the radio or — gulp — seeing yourself on TV can cause cold sweats for some. An estimated 75% of us fear public speaking — now add in that the public discussion may be recorded and broadcast and it’s no wonder not everyone volunteers to speak to media. Of course, there are… Read More
Even after the stresses of market crashes, unexpected weather events and disagreements in the workplace, there is a force that keeps so many of us involved in agriculture. Our passion can be driven by many factors: a love of the land, an appreciation for the outdoors, respect for flora and fauna or simply the hope… Read More
Are you so farmer? If you’re in need of a pick-me-up today, look no further than the Peterson Farm Bros.’ latest parody video — this time a medley of several pop songs, each with an annoyingly catchy hook. From “Turn Down For What,” to “I’m So Farmer,” and “All About That Bass,” it seems no… Read More