agriculture

A woman in green stands near a power point presentation. On the screen are the words MRC Pontiac and a montage of photos on the left side of the screen.

MRC Pontiac holds final consultation on agricultural plan

September 11, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

On Tuesday evening (September 10), MRC Pontiac staff hosted the final public consultation on their 5-year agricultural plan, known as the PDZA, at the new Chapeau Farmers’ Market building on L’Isle-aux-Allumettes. The event was the culmination of several previous consultations with the local farming community.

The MRC’s Economic Development Commissioner for Agriculture, Shanna Armstrong, explained that there were six “foundational projects” that they had honed in on, each addressing different issues facing the Pontiac agricultural community. Participants each had the chance to discuss these projects and offer feedback, which will be taken into account when the PDZA is finalized.

The projects range from their AgriSaveurs facility at the abattoir in Shawville, to providing training to young farmers, to agritourism. She said that they aim to present the completed plan by the end of the year.

Four baskets hold fresh red strawberries.

A new way to visit a farm — via virtual reality

August 15, 2024 by Candice Vetter

Farm and Food Care Ontario is bringing virtual reality tours of farms to local fairs, including the Russell Fair this week, and to other agricultural events coming up.

By visiting the Farm and Food Care kiosk attendees can don VR goggles and get a 360 degree view of over 20 types of farming operations. These include barns such as dairy, hog, chicken and turkey; egg production; orchards and berry farms; herb and onion gardens; mushroom growing; a feed mill; and even ginseng growing.

Tours are also offered on its website. Farm and Food Care is a charity and coalition of all farming types and ag-related businesses. Its website states it brings farmers, businesses, government and other groups together to help build public trust in food and farming across Canada.

CJRO News talked to Christa Ormiston from Farm and Food Care Ontario about the virtual reality presentations.

The roadside sign of the Pontiac abattoir. The sign is round, with cows and a barn as the graphic. At the bottom of the sign are the words - "Abbatoir - La Viande du Pontiac". Next to the round sign is a green square sign which says "Open to the Public/Ouvert au public"

MRC provides update on abattoir re-start

July 26, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

On July 26, MRC Pontiac issued a press release updating the public on the status of the abattoir in Shawville, which they purchased back in May.

Shanna Armstrong, the MRC’s economic development commissioner for agriculture, explained that they were currently waiting on approval from the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to form a non-profit “solidarity cooperative.” She said that they expect a response from the ministry within the next few weeks. Membership will include local producers, a MRC representative as well as the abattoir workers.

Armstrong added that the MRC is also currently seeking a project manager for the AgriSaveur project, which aims to create a shared facility for local producers to process and brand their agricultural products. The abattoir and its assets were purchased with $1.6 million of funds earmarked for the project, which MRC officials thought would mesh well with the abattoir’s operations.

A portion of an old dirt road leads to a grassy green area, and then to a body of water. Behind is a snow capped mountain, a blue sky and a few white clouds.

Agricultural land reserve cannot be solution to housing crisis, agrologists tell CSRD

July 9, 2024 by Melissa Jameson

The agricultural land reserve cannot be the solution to BC’s housing crisis, and should continue to prioritize farm use to ensure provincial food security.

That was the message provincial land use agrologist Alison Fox and regional agrologist Lindsay Benbow had for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s board of directors. The two agrologists presented at the regional district’s regular meeting last month.

Introduced in 1973, the Agricultural Land Reserve, or the ALR as its more commonly known, is land that is designated by the province for agricultural use.

Farming is a significant contributor to BC’s economy. Fox said in 2023, around 40,000 people were employed in primary agriculture. In 2022 $14 billion in sales came from primary agriculture. Agriculture Canada defines primary agriculture as “work that is performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery or greenhouse.”

On top of the housing crisis, a critical shortage of industrial land and the aging demographic of farmers are impacting both farming and ALR land use.

Two women stand with microphones at the front of a room. There are two sets of tables and chairs between them and a black grand piano off to the side. There is a black curtain behind them and a wooden beam above them.

Federal minister discusses agricultural issues in Shawville

June 4, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

On May 31, a group of agricultural producers gathered in Clarendon for a discussion with Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel and Minister of National Revenue Marie-Claude Bibeau (formerly Minister of Agriculture from 2019-2023) about issues facing rural communities.

James Thompson, an organic vegetable farmer from MRC Papineau said that he would like to see more limits on produce imported from outside Canada, where producers may not abide by the same environmental or labour regulations as domestic producers.

In response, Bibeau was careful to highlight the difference between standards enforceable through trade regulations and certain agricultural sectors’ self-imposed standards on products.

She was also asked about the federal government’s role in interprovincial regulations when it comes to slaughtering animals, and said that they were working on several pilot projects allow for easier access to federal certification for slaughterhouses.

A black and white illustration of a person on a computer, a robot, a brain with gears and looking glass.

Polycrisis event on Cortes Island looks at interlinked crises, community leaders attend

May 21, 2024 by Loni Taylor

“Politics and the Polycrisis” was an event hosted at the Klahoose Multi-Purpose building on May 17. The organizer for the event, alternative Regional Director Max Thaysen, explained what poly crisis means.

“The poly crisis is a term to try to capture the fact that we have a lot of really challenging crises that are interlinked.”

Thaysen has become involved in various avenues of politics and activism, in hopes to address pressing issues affecting humanity like climate change. Thaysen noted the importance of feeling support from fellow community members during these events.

MP Rachel Blaney and Chief Darren Blaney of the Homalco First Nation spoke at the gathering as well as Regional Director Mark Vonesch.

Thaysen hopes the event will encourage others to organize more of these types of engaging events.

Listen to the CKTZ News Update.

Four rows of chairs with approximately 8 people seated face a stage with a panel of three people on a stage. Behind them is a presentation screen which reads "The County"

Successful Environmental Expo in Picton ends a month of environmental awareness

May 6, 2024 by Brenda Little

Saturday’s Environmental Expo in Picton topped off a month of activities celebrating Earth Day.

Councillor Kate McNaughton was instrumental in leading the Expo which was kicked off with a tree giveaway,followed by a full day of events and discussions with various environmental experts.

Canada’s leading national conservation organization, Nature Conservancy Canada, showcased their projects conserving Prince Edward County along with local environmental organizations.

Free-to-the-public panel discussions included “Tree Talk” — the value of trees as superheroes; and Farming Future – how sustainable agricultural practices contribute to the fight against climate change. The heat pump topic featured homeowners who have successfully switched to pumps and how they work and County innovators talked about their ideas to fight climate change. Concluding the Expo was a panel discussion offering solutions and strategies to support a decarbonized future for Ontario.

The event was well attended and organizers expect the Expo to gain momentum in the future.

Details

An elderly man stands with his wife and adult children holding a large medal in a case.

Chris Judd awarded Medal of the National Assembly

April 26, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

On Friday morning (April 26), a surprise party was held at the Little Red Wagon Winery in Clarendon to celebrate long-standing community pillar Chris Judd, as he received the Medal of the National Assembly from Pontiac MNA André Fortin.

Fortin explained that he had recently marked 10 years in the National Assembly and thought it appropriate to celebrate the occasion by honoring ten citizens from his riding for their contributions to the region.

Judd is a life-long farmer who served with numerous organizations advocating for the agricultural and English-speaking communities, including the Pontiac Milk Producers Board, the Regional Association of West Quebecers and as President of the Quebec Farmers Association. He is also a long-time columnist for Shawville’s weekly newspaper The Equity.

Fortin said that no matter where he goes, when he mentions the Pontiac, someone will typically say that they know Chris.

A line of tractors travel down a gravel road.

Pontiac farmers join UPA protest in Gatineau

April 18, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

A group of about a dozen tractors and other vehicles took off from chemin Alary in Luskville on Wednesday morning (April 17) to join fellow farmers in Gatineau for a protest organized by the Union des producteurs agricoles.

Stéphane Alary, UPA President for the Outaouais-Laurentides region, explained that in recent years inflation has contributed to big price increases in things like seeds, fertilizer, energy and pesticides and pointed to the fact that Premier François Legault recently stated that there is a “crisis” in Quebec’s agricultural community.

He added that for young farmers in particular, entering the industry is difficult due to things like the price of land and high interest rates. He pointed to the demands of the FRAQ, an affiliated group which represents young farmers in Quebec, and said unless something is done, young people won’t be there to relieve the current generation of producers when they retire.

A meadow with yellow flowers under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Agriculture meets nature with WonderMud program

April 16, 2024 by Taylor McClure

Local organizations Nature Nerding and Patch Farms are launching a new program for children in the Eastern Townships that connects farming and agriculture with the natural world.

Starting this summer, WonderMud will provide children with the opportunity to explore the land that is Patch Farms, and learn just how much farming is “founded in nature” and how important it is to protect it, said Meagan Patch, one of the educators behind WonderMud.

Described by Nature Nerding founder Jessica Adams as a more “unstructured” and “self-directed” experience, WonderMud participants will have the chance to explore their interests and curiosities around farming and the natural world, including the life cycles and behaviours of animals on the farm and seasonality and food.

According to Adams, WonderMud is a collaboration with Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton (PENS) and it is one of many nature-education activities offered through its new Nature and Discovery program.

A food product display sits in the middle of a grocery store. The display has different food products organized on it. Aisle's are seen on either side of the display.

Farmers Association hoping to bring grocery store to life in next ’18-20′ months

April 11, 2024 by Andrew Dow

Six Nations Farmers Association (SNFA) are hoping to bring a grocery store and agriculture resource centre to the community in the next 18 to 20 months.

SNFA presented its final planning report for the proposed grocery store to Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) during the April 8 political liaison meeting.

SNFA say the grocery store and resource centre will occupy the planned 13,000 square foot building. The group’s budget says construction costs will exceed $5.6 million.

SNFA are looking for support from SNEC on the next steps to move forward with the project.

There has not been any funding source identified on the project thus far and SNEC hasn’t committed any financial support to the project.

SNEC received the presentation from the farmers association as information. Six Nations Chief, Sherri-Lyn Hill says SNFA can work with council’s health and well-being team to determine next steps and provide updates to the community.

Gillian MacDougall named Quebec 4-H provincial coordinator

March 19, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

Gillian MacDougall, a member of the Pontiac farming community, has been named the provincial coordinator for 4-H Quebec. The organization is a staple of the agricultural community, providing leadership training and activities for youth.

MacDougall and her family have a beef farm in Bristol, and she served as the leader of the Shawville 4-H Club until her appointment as coordinator.

She spoke with CHIP 101.9 about the duties that come with her new role, which include acting as a link between local clubs and the provincial office.

MacDougall also spoke about what 4-H means to her, as well as the role the organization plays in supporting the next generation of the agriculture community.