Insect research needs bin sites
Agriculture Canada is looking for six to 10 sites to monitor for insects in bins in southern Alberta this September and October.
The survey will help detect potentially new invasive pests to the area and to determine what insect species are infesting stored grain on the Prairies and under which conditions.
Researchers will need to visit the farm at least two times. During the first visit, they will deploy probe traps under the surface of the grain to catch insects moving throughout the grain.
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They will also place a couple of traps outside the bin on a shepherd’s hook to catch grain insects flying in the area.
During the second visit, traps will be removed and a half-kilogram sample of grain will be taken for moisture content analysis.
Questions can be directed to kelsey.jones@agr.gc.ca.
4-H scholarships offered to youth leaders
4-H Canada is awarding 12 youth leaders from across Canada with TD Bank 4-H agriculture scholarships.
The scholarships, totalling $30,000, have been provided by TD Bank Group, with each of the 12 4-H members receiving $2,500 toward their post-secondary education in agriculture, agricultural science, or agricultural business this fall.
B.C. fruit growers connected to workers
A pilot program called B.C. Fruit Works is designed to connect employers in British Columbia with seasonal domestic workers in Okanagan orchards and vineyards this summer.
In June, B.C. Fruit Works began a collaboration between the B.C. Grape Growers’ Association, B.C. Cherry Association, B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association and the B.C. Tree Fruit Co-operative, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The B.C. government is providing about $90,000 to the initiative.
Goals include:
- engaging domestic workers to work as branch hands in Okanagan orchards and vineyards
- leveraging digital technology, including an app to build a marketplace that connects workers with producers
- creating job opportunities in Okanagan orchards and vineyards, building support for local growers, and sustaining B.C.’s food supply
So far, the program has secured 90 branch hands for fruit-harvest jobs and 60 farmers interested in training and adopting technology to maximize profit and minimize food waste.
