Baute elected Canadian Seed Trade Association president
Dave Baute, owner and president of Maizex Seeds in Tilbury, Ont., has been elected president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association.
Baute was elected earlier this week at the association’s annual meeting in Banff, Alta.
In his acceptance speech, he stressed the importance of working with all members of the seed industry and called on the association and the agricultural industry to support modern agriculture as a steward of health, safety and the environment.
Nature Conservancy receives high grade
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Agri-business and farms front and centre for Alberta’s Open Farm Days
Open Farm Days continues to enjoy success in its 14th year running, as Alberta farms and agri-businesses were showcased to increase awareness on how food gets to the dinner plate.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada received a four star rating, the highest grade available, from Charity Intelligence Canada.
The rating was based on financial transparency, accountability to donors and cost-efficiency.
NCC has been working since the 1960s to conserve habitats in Canada. It has protected approximately 2.5 million acres of land.
NCC enters into conservation agreements with landowners who wish to donate or sell their property. It targets areas where habitat conservation is needed.
As a registered charity, NCC raises money to conserve each of its sites.
In Saskatchewan, the NCC is active hosting community volunteer events, including trail upgrades, tree plantings, beach and shoreline restorations, invasive species removal and birding surveys.
NCC encourages Canadians to connect with nature by making public access to light recreation such as walking, birding, kayaking and photography.
Co-ops focus on local produce
Co-op stores in Saskatchewan will put 1.25 million pounds of locally grown produce on their shelves this year.
The retail system is bringing back its Grown at Home initiative, which started last year with Prairie Fresh Food Corp., a group of 16 Saskatchewan producers.
Co-op bought 750,000 pounds of fresh vegetables last year under the Home Grown Saskatchewan brand.
This year, Co-op will buy 22 products grown on 250 acres, up from 15 products on 80 acres last year.
Products include radish, baby beets, green kale, zucchini, strawberries and garlic. Availability will depend on producers’ supplies and weather throughout the year.
Some products are already available in the 114 Co-op stores, but others such as baby carrots and dill will be in stores by the end of July.
Products will be stocked on a seasonal basis until December.
Co-op is aiming to expand the initiative outside Saskatchewan.
NGOs call on government for help in South Sudan
Twenty-eight Canadian non-governmental organizations operating in Ethiopia has called on the federal government to increase its support for those suffering in South Sudan.
Conflict in the country has dis-placed more than 1.3 million people and forced 341,000 to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. As a result, there is potential for widespread hunger.
The 28 NGOs, which belong to the Canadian Network of NGOs in Ethiopia, have given the government three reasons why it should respond to their call:
- the large numbers of people displaced by the conflict
- the historical role Canada has played in responding to needs in the region
- the readiness of Canadian NGOs to scale up their humanitarianresponses
South Sudanese farmers haven’t been able to plant their crops, which they depend on for survival since the violence broke out in December.
NGOs offering aid in South Sudan include the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, World Relief Canada and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, which is supported by Presbyterian World Service and Development and the United Church of Canada.
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and Canadian Catholic Organizations for Development and Peace will be implementing food distribution responses shortly.
