Red Fife returns to its Otonabee roots Tuesday, August 4, 2009 Red Fife wheat, the cultivar of choice on the newly-plowed Canadian Prairies in the middle to late 1800s, was developed in the "Otonabee" area of Ontario, near Peterborough. Now Red Fife is back there – or at least nearby, in Hastings County. Organic grower and miller Patricia Hastings started with one 25-kilogram bag of Red Fife five years ago and multiplied it for four seasons before beginning milling a year ago, harvesting eight tonnes and grinding it with her own stone mill.Hastings says her flour is in demand. "I had no idea there were so many artisan bakeries in Ottawa and Toronto," she says."I expected it to be a very small market." Yield isn't Hastings' biggest concern. "I decided not to worry about feeding the world," she says. Instead, she focuses on a specialty product with excellent flavour and milling qualities. She thinks Red Fife produces better without crop inputs than most "modern" varieties; the crop stands up in heavy wind and rain. In 2009, she planted 100 acres on her certified organic fields, along with spelt, buckwheat, flax, hemp and other heritage grains. The farm is located between Stirling and Marmora. For her efforts, Hastings' vertically integrated company, CIPM Inc. in Madoc, was a regional winner in the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. A pig for adoption Hens that live and let live
University of Guelph looking for new OAC Dean Tuesday, November 12, 2024 A position has opened at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The OAC is looking for a new Dean to lead the school into the future. The ideal candidate is “a visionary leader who shares its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and who... Read this article online
Women Agriculture Leaders Embrace Innovation and Growth Monday, November 11, 2024 By Deanna Ciaccia The future of agriculture depends on diverse leadership that can drive innovation and address the sector's evolving challenges. Women are already at the forefront of this transformation, leading advancements in agtech, sustainable farming practices, and... Read this article online
40 Agriculture Groups Urge Senate to Reject Bill C-282 Sunday, November 10, 2024 Forty of Canada's leading agriculture and agri-food groups sent a letter today to the Senate urging them to reject Bill C-282. Bill C-282 is an Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management). "This bill risks handcuffing Canada’s... Read this article online
Lift heavy equipment with ease - TG Equipment Jack Sunday, November 10, 2024 Byline: Denise Faguy The TG Equipment Jack is a heavy-duty lifting device designed for large high clearance sprayers. This Cool Tools’ innovative design ensures secure and stable lifting of heavy equipment, making it an essential tool for repairs and tire changes. Key... Read this article online
Ontario’s Best in Agri-Food Excellence 2024 Thursday, November 7, 2024 Ontario celebrates excellence in agriculture and food sector achievements The Government of Ontario is celebrating the achievements of outstanding contributors in the agriculture and food industry through the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards. This year’s awards recognize 13... Read this article online