Ask a Farmer

Can you imagine a team of detectives tirelessly working around the clock to solve mysteries that affect public health?  On today’s podcast we’re shedding light on foodborne illness investigations in a guest podcast episode from Inspect and Protect, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s podcast with hosts Michelle Strong and Greg Rogers. Today’s expert panel of guests includes Tanis Kershaw and Cou...

Do you ever wonder what all those dates on your food mean? What's safe to eat and what should you toss? Today, we're discussing food date labeling with a guest podcast episode from Inspect and Protect, The Canadian Food inspection Agency podcast with hosts Greg Rogers and Michelle Strong.  Today, Laura Reid, a date labeling expert from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency breaks down the...

The role of any food system is to serve the end consumer. In the past, farmers, food processors, and retailers responded to the demand of consumers. Supply follows demand. For the most part Canada has kept a very scientific based approach to policy making when it comes to food and how food is grown. However, there is concern with a bit of a deviation of these policies when one considers what has a...

We live in an age where technology is ever changing. Advancements in communication, transportation and health care seem to be seen and understood across this country, but what about new tech when it comes to food production? Olds College in Olds, Alberta specializes in testing new technologies that can be implemented on Canadian farms and ranches. Their ‘Smart Farm’ works with companies to develop...

One of the biggest risks in producing food is the weather. Uncertainty around rain, heat, frost, wind and other weather-related disasters results in a lot of sleepless nights for farmers and ranchers in this country. But what if we take the largest risk out of the equation? Vertical farming has been developing throughout Canada as a method to reduce risk and provide a localized food option for cer...

With increases in food costs in recent years and the desire to eat healthier, canning foods to preserve them is a topic of interest for Canadians. People want to understand what is in the food they eat and where their food comes from. This podcast explores the topic of canning and the safety and science behind it as well as best practices for making canning at home a safe and successful experience...

Canadians have continued to move further and further away from food production. We can see this in our expanding urban centers and less individuals growing the food we consume. This has led to more discussions about consuming food that is more sustainable. Not only sustainable environmentally, but also economically and socially. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Sa...

Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein. In Canada, when we go to the grocery store there are so many different egg options available. We get a choice when it comes to egg size, egg colour, eggs based on different housing system, certified organic eggs, eggs enriched with Omega 3 or enriched with Vitamin D. In today's podcast, we will break down the different options available an...

There is a widening disconnect between those who grow food and those who consume food in Canada. To better communicate to Canadians, we must understand what their perceptions are of the food industry. Each year the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity performs a country wide survey to get a gauge on what Canadian consumers think about our food system and farming in general. Ashley Bruner from the Ca...

The agriculture industry is not dissimilar from other industries in Canada.  We produce many different products but through the production of food, there is often some form of inorganic waste that is generated. To protect the environment and manage different aspects of primary production, we currently use plastics, and lots of them. Barry Friesen is the Executive Director of Cleanfarms who provide...

 We truly are lucky here in Canada to enjoy many different food choices for our diets. Questions do arise on different proteins we consume: how much is enough, what do we need and are plant and animal-based proteins the same? Long-time dietitian and mother, Carol Harrison, answers these questions through a fun and meaningful dialogue about how meat protein is structured differently than plant prot...

As more and more Canadians become removed from farms and ranches, many people have questions about how animals are being raised on Canadian farms. Tiffany Martinka is active on social media and has made a point of sharing how their family farm takes care of their chickens. In this podcast, Tiffany explains the audited programs that all Canadian farmers must follow and describes how this system of...

Since Covid, we have seen dramatic increases in the price of our food. Every family is feeling the pinch at the grocery store. John Scott has spent his entire career analyzing food prices, grocery changes and consumer trends. He will explain what has led to the current situation and what to expect at the grocery store in the future. Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, b...

Erin MacGregor is a registered dietitian and passionate food and science communicator.  Based on Erin’s experience and education in the food industry she will help us understand what we can look for as we read food-related information and make better purchasing decisions. Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family farm outside of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. He...

Researcher and author Timothy Caulfield explains why there is a fear of food in today’s society. He points out how important it is to reflect on information before passing it on and think about the body of evidence rather than the attention-grabbing headlines.  Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family farm outside of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. He received h...

Ian Affleck discusses how science has played a pivotal role in ensuring Canadians have safe, affordable and abundant food.  The advancements in plant breeding to gene editing have ensured Canadian farmers can use modern technology in an effort to be more environmentally friendly and produce the food the world needs. Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain fam...

Soil health is essential to the prosperity of feeding a growing global population.  Jake Leguee, a Saskatchewan grain farmer, explains how farmers have adopted new technologies over the past generations, increasingly focusing on what soils need to produce food that feeds the world.    Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family farm outside of Lanigan, Sas...

In this podcast Patricia Chuey will outline six healthy eating truths that you can adopt in your own life.  They include overall health, veggies and fruits in your diet, purchasing quality products, ensuring your or someone in your household is cooking, avoid fad diets and remember that healthy aging is possible! Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family...

New technologies and innovation are pivotal to ensuring that the farms remain sustainable now and into the future.  In this podcast Andrew Campbell, aka Fresh Air Farmer, describes the new dairy barn his family built.  Andrew discusses how the new technologies have resulted in more cow comfort and less energy use.  Host: Clinton Monchuk  Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain fam...

Trying to make sense of Canada’s Food Guide and how to implement some of their recommendations?  We had questions too and sought the expertise of Sue Mah, a registered dietitian from the Toronto area.  Sue will walk through seven different, easy to implement tips, that will allow each of us can eat better and live a healthier life.  Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, b...

Consumers often wonder what is being done to ensure cattle are raised sustainably and humanely. Rancher Erika Stewart explains the audited Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program for Canadian cattle producers.  The program focuses on three main practices: animal care, food safety and environmental stewardship to demonstrate to consumers the level of care that goes into producing beef.   Host:...

This podcast walks through different ways that you can make the most of your food budget in times of inflationary pressures.  Shannon Crocker provides helpful hints that will allow you to be a sharper shopper, while also providing the nutrition you need for your family. Host: Clinton Monchuk Clinton Monchuk grew up on a mixed dairy, beef and grain family farm outside of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. He r...

Welcome to the Ask a Farmer Podcast hosted by Canadian farmer, Clinton Monchuk.  In this podcast Clinton will talk with food and farming experts to answer questions about how your food is grown and raised in Canada.  Host: Clinton Monchuk Episode Credits: Research and writing by Dorothy Long and Penny Eaton, Produced and edited by Angela Larson, Music by Andy Ellison-Track title: Gravel Road Conne...