NOBLETON, Ont. — Fitness doesn’t have to cost a lot and can be as easy as parking the car farther away from the grocery store. Shyanne Spilchen, the director of Fitness 4 Youth, said regular physical activity needs to become routine. “People see exercise as a chore instead of a lifestyle,” said Spilchen, who provides […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Organic farm educates by serving up fare
SCHOMBERG, Ont. — The YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Education Centre’s addition of an organic farm and greenhouse is helping its urban visitors learn more about food production. “They come here to be in nature, and food is a part of it,” said Melisanne Loiselle-Gascon, the farm team leader. “Most visitors, youth, are from the (Toronto […] Read more
Winter fair shines light on careers in ag
A glut of jobs in food and agriculture in Canada was the impetus behind a symposium focused on getting that message out to high school students at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this month. Laurie Sawyer, a quality assurance manager and hazard analysis and critical control point co-ordinator for Golden Valley Farms in Arthur, Ont., […] Read more
Farm moms give kids a leg up
Protection against respiratory ailments in farm children may begin in the womb, according to early findings of the Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort. The ongoing study, which is comparing 100 farm and 100 non-farm families in that state, started as a pilot project in 2012 to discover what factors in a farm environment are contributing to […] Read more
Identifying skills helps fill gaps in leadership
NOBLETON, Ont. — Leaders are not born, they’re built, senior 4-Hers were told during their National Members Forum workshop in Nobleton earlier this month. Emily Brown, program manager with 4-H Canada, used Disney characters to help members recognize their leadership styles. While Woody involves all in decision-making, his Toy Story movie pal, Buzz Lightyear, expects […] Read more
New features, live streaming at Toronto ag fair
TORONTO — Those who fear navigating Toronto’s freeways and toll roads to get to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair can now live stream livestock shows from the fair’s Ring of Excellence. For Tyler Murray of Luckhorn Ont., that means his friends and family can get to watch him compete from home. Showing in the senior […] Read more
4-Hers ponder career options
NOBLETON, Ont. — Robert Larsen thought he wanted to be a veterinarian until he found out how much of a vet’s time is spent doing pregnancy checks on dairy cows. Instead, the Prince Edward Island 4-Her will take a business degree before returning to his family’s bee farm. “I’ve decided now what would benefit me […] Read more
Action abounds at the Royal
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, held in Toronto Nov. 4-13, includes a host of livestock shows, equestrian events, chef challenges, educational hands-on activities and a trade show.
Preventing food waste critical to growing population
NOBLETON, Ont. — Tonnes of food are discarded every year in Canada at a time when hunger is a global concern. Jewel Mazur, a farm production extension specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, said an increasing world population will need 70 percent more food to feed itself by 2050, yet 60 percent of vegetables grown in her […] Read more
Dairy operation strives to improve, educate
Couple is involved with industry groups to keep up with current issues and also hold farm tours to educate the public
KILLAM, Alta. — A dairy provides the Child family with a good lifestyle, a stable source of income and an efficient production system that matches supply to consumption. “We’re not producing something people don’t want,” said Louise. Added Allan: “And not relying on government subsidies.” The couple, with their daughter, Kristyn, milk 120 Holsteins on […] Read more
