Mike Prud’homme has heard all the excuses: “I’m not going very far.” “I know what I’m doing.” “Nothing is going to happen.” The Canada Safety Council’s national co-ordinator for off-road vehicles says operators must treat these machines like motorized vehicles with all the inherent dangers. “Stuff happens very fast,” he said, noting how distractions such […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Match work to ability
Young workers should:
Young workers should be physically and mentally capable of tasks assigned to them on the farm, says an agricultural health and safety specialist. Glen Blahey of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association said the Model Policy for Canadian Youth Employment in Agriculture is a voluntary set of guidelines to help keep young farm workers safe. Adapted […] Read moreIdentifying hazards minimizes liability
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The increasing popularity and numbers of agritourism farms present special challenges for operators. Marsha Salzwedel, a research specialist with the National Farm Medicine Centre in Wisconsin, said that means paying greater attention to safety protocols to minimize accidents and limit liability. She told the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association annual conference […] Read more
4-Hers to share ag skills with members in Ghana
Canadian members aged 18 to 25 must apply by November
4-H Canada has teamed up with 4-H Ghana to launch a community service learning and leadership program. Ten 4-H members from Canada will travel to Ghana in summer 2016 for the Going Global Service Learning pilot program. There, they will work on school and community projects with local staff and youth and share knowledge and […] Read more
Know your employees to succeed
Agribusinesses must adjust to different work ethics of youth and retain expertise of older workers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Andrew Dixon wasted no time getting into farming, making the leap from high school into the family business nine years ago. A featured presenter at the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association annual conference here in February, Dixon said his generation can offer a fresh look at the farm business. “We are […] Read moreStrategies underway to promote Vancouver Island agriculture
COURTENAY, B.C. — British Col-umbia hopes to increase its annual agrifood sales to $14 billion from $12 billion in the next three years. Agriculture minister Norm Letnick said some of that growth will come from Vancouver Island, where a wide variety of food is produced. “With time we will see even more products being demanded […] Read more
Producers selling farmgate eggs hear how to increase confidence
COURTENAY, B.C. — Candling eggs is a simple way for small flock producers to keep customers happy and eggs clear of hazards, says a poultry specialist. Clayton Botkin of the B.C. agriculture ministry said in an interview during the Islands Agriculture Show in Courtenay that the practice is done at grading stations but could easily […] Read more
Island cattle producers seek B.C. niche
Ranchers want to build a Vancouver Island beef brand and promote unique attributes to attract local consumers
COURTENAY, B.C. — Vancouver Island cattle producers hope to overcome their isolation from the mainland and find their own voice by creating a regional chapter of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association this spring. Angus producer Brad Chappell of Courtenay, B.C., said island ranchers are currently grouped with a mainland region of the provincial association, but […] Read moreStudy competition but be unique, says farm tour host
Do your homework before opening farm gates to the public or the agritourism dream could become a financial nightmare
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Launching a new farm enterprise should begin long before the first customer arrives, says an agritourism operator. Amy Ladd, who operates Lucky Ladd Farms at Eagleville, Tennessee, with her husband, Jason, spent a year researching and developing business plans and goals for her petting farm, playground and events venue. “Look before you […] Read moreConsider possible dangers when hosting farm visitors
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee law enacted in 2009 prevents agritourism professionals from being held liable for injury or death of a participant caused by inherent farm dangers. It does not stop people from filing a suit if injured, but it does require them to prove the injury was caused by something other than an […] Read more
