Food Farm Talk

Fertilizer is fundamental to agriculture and key to feeding the world population. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are often the focus—what agronomists call crop nutrients. Yet fertilizer use can have unintended effects on soil ecosystems, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. So, sustainable use of fertilizer is a key issue in farm sustainability. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program brin...

In the episode, Abdul discusses some of the agricultural-related news that have made waves in May. Some of the issues include the Federal government support for the ag sector and sector reactions, Covid-19 deepened labour crises in Canadian agriculture and disruptions to meat supply chains. 

This episode is part two of the podcast version of the   COVID 19 + Lessons for Food Systems webinar by the Arrell Food Institute and Food from Thought Initiative. In this episode, food experts reflect on some of the potential impacts of the COVID-19 on the food system

This episode is a podcast version of the   COVID 19 + Lessons for Food Systems webinar by the Arrell Food Institute and Food from Thought Initiative. In this episode, food experts reflect on some of the potential impacts of the COVID-19 on the food system. Hosted by Rene Van Acker , Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, the panel includes Larry Goodridge ,...

The #Coronavirus pandemic affects local food and farm businesses in Guelph and Wellington County in so many ways. Christina Mann of Taste Real (County of Wellington) tells us about how local farm and food businesses are coping with and adapting to the challenges of #COVID19. Increased demand for local food sources have created opportunities for some businesses, while the challenges of offering foo...

Learn why food companies are investing in regenerative agriculture in this special episode recorded at a public lecture held back in September, 2019. Hosted by the SOILS AT GUELPH initiative of the University of Guelph, the CREATE-Climate Smart Soils graduate program, and Grain Farmers of Ontario, “Regenerative Agriculture at General Mills: The Way Forward” features speaker Steve Rosenzweig, a soi...

The Farmers for Climate Solutions campaign is an effort to build a movement and change policies to help farmers fight climate change and adapt to the changes. Farmers are experiencing weather extremes brought by climate change, 2019 being a glaring example. Katie Ward, the national President of the National Farmers Union and Brent Preston, President of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario...

In this episode, we spoke to students about their experiences at The Improve Life Challenge (ILC). The ILC-Hack the Farm is a one-day immersive experience where interdisciplinary student teams will work together with community partners to tackle real problems and come up with possible solutions. At the end of the day, student teams will present their solution in a pitch-style competition.

The corona-virus epidemic has caused panic around the globe, affecting over 90,000 people in over 70 countries. The growing trend of infections around the globe has caused panic in many countries, including in Canada. We review some of the issues emerging from this epidemic in relation to the food system. Declining sales in the restaurant industry, panic buying and clearing of stocks in grocery st...

Taste Real is an innovative local food and farming initiative of the County of Wellington and many other partners. In this episode, Christina Mann, the Taste Real coordinator for the County, talks with Paul Smith. Taste Real started out as a branding initiative “to support local businesses, farms and producers who are passionate about the way local food is grown, prepared, presented and enjoyed, a...

In this episode, Abdul talks about some of the stories making headlines in Canadian Agriculture in the week. The rail blockade, labour shortages, and discussions a potential seed royalty in Canada are some of the issues talked about. 

Ralph Martin’s new book is an evocative mix of science, philosophy, memoir, reflection and manifesto for change. And food and farming tie it all together. Food security is certainly a focus, but the book ranges far beyond a narrow view of that phrase. Ralph is a retired professor of plant agriculture at Guelph with an emphasis on organic agriculture and forage crops. The book promo says the follow...

This episode provides highlights of the 2020 Farms.com Precision Agriculture Conference, held in London, Ontario on the 29th and 30th of January 2020. An overview of the main activities at the conference is provided alongside interviews with organizers and digital technology exhibiters.

Sustainable farming is about the people and organizations working daily to that end. Stuart Wright, a dairy and cash crop farmer from Kenilworth, Wellington County, is the new President of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Both Stuart and the Soil and Crop organization work hard on farm sustainability. Stuart describes his family’s work building soil health and sustainability using cr...

Have you ever wanted to make your own maple syrup but were unsure where to start or how to do it? Urban sugaring provides the answer. The Urban Sugaring Project allows tree owners in the City of Guelph to work together to create maple syrup. And in this episode, Emily Duncan interviews organizers on the specifics of the program this year, which is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2020. Listen to this episode...

In this special episode, Abdul highlights themes in Canada 2020 Food Price Report while also paying tribute to two friends and the University of Guelph colleagues, Ghanimat Azhdari & Milad Ghasemi Ariani, who lost their lives in the Iran plane accident. Ghanimat's work on indigenous resource conservation and Milad's dedication to work and communality are highlighted.  The later part of the episode...

Conservation Authorities work with Ontario farmers and other landowners to assist in conservation work like tree planting, erosion control, water quality improvement and soil health. Conservation authorities undertake many other activities to fulfill their watershed management mandate. The Ontario government’s Bill 108 amended the Conservation Authorities Act as well as many other statutes for the...

Emily Duncan and Abdul-Rahim talk about the top stories on the show and main ag issues in Candian and global level in 2019. The show presents the top ten picks of our year. Issues discussed include; Main ag issues this year: Canada releases 2019 Food Guide  EAT-Lancet reports on maintaining a healthy planet and healthy people Federal budget 2019 lay foundation for the creation of Canada Natio...

In this episode, we talk about the 2019 Arrell Food Summit which took place on 3rd December at the Globe and Mail Centre in Toronto. Abdul and Emily participated in the summit and they reflect on the packed day of presentations and discussions. Snippets from key guests, organizers, researchers, and student participants are presented to reflect on strategies for feeding the globe, a central theme a...

For a World Soil Day special episode, and the final installment in the "Talk Dirty To Me" miniseries, Cameron is joined by Dr. Bill Deen and Nicola Linton from the University of Guelph. Bill and Nicola talk about how different crop rotations and tillage practices impact the soil, crop production, and the environment based on discoveries from a 40-year experiment in Elora, ON. Hang in until the end...

Series host Cameron Ogilvie managed to catch up with Norfolk County farmer Dan Petker ( @PetkerFarm ) in the combine cab to learn about his pursuit of soil health. Dan offers both a hopeful and critical perspective on what it takes to improve soil and loves to talk about the economic burden of sustainable soil management practices.   For more information on the December 5, World Soil Day even...

The Environmental Farm Plan or EFP builds sustainability on Ontario and Canadian farms by farmers assessing their farms' environmental risks and changing practices to reduce or eliminate those risks. It began over 25 years ago in Ontario, led by farmer organizations working with governments, building consensus and changing social norms. EFP has now spread across Canada and evolved to fit each regi...

The Royal Agriculture Winter Fair happens in Toronto every November, and the FoodFarm Talk team visited this years' event to capture highlights from participants. Reflections from participating organisations including Farm and Food Care Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Grain Farmers of Ontario, as well as individuals are presented in this episode. Participants reflects on the exciting a...

Emily Duncan talks about the quality and safety of the food we eat with Dr. Maria Corradini of the Arrell Food Inst itute at the University of Guelph. Maria discusses her research in food processing and value addition. The discussion highlights the role of food processing in improving the quality, safety and life of food. It emphasizes the need for consumers to appreciate the central role of proce...

Abdul talks to Alan Abdul Kader (@fortybytwenty) , an undergraduate student in the Ontario Agricultural College, on a range of issues in  today's agriculture. Alan traces his journey as a young high school  student who fell in love with agriculture while working on friend's  family farms. The values of farming, including the  ability to care for nature and being outdoors are am...