The peas had cooled down enough from the baking process the previous day and were now being packaged by University of Saskatchewan Food Centre by staff. They wear hairnets and white coats with red collars that allow access to the facility’s organic areas. Allen Zak, chief executive officer of Zak Organics, made a 300- kilometre […] Read more
Tag Archives organic
Can potatoes be grown without chemicals?
Potatoes typically require fungicides and pesticides but with the correct rotations and lots of ladybugs, it is possible
At least one organic farmer has figured out how to grow potatoes without the usual weekly dose of chemicals. It’s a myth that potatoes demand synthetic protection, says Brent Harris of Fraserland Organic Farms in Delta, B.C. He said a healthy potato crop can be grown once the land has been in an organic system […] Read more
Organic, conventional show nutrient differences
Study finds higher percentage of the daily recommended requirements of very long chain fatty acids in organic whole milk
DRESDEN, Ont. — Studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition found differences in the nutritional composition of organic and conventionally-produced foods. The two latest were published Feb. 16 and publicized by Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. They compare organic and conventional milk and meat. The milk study is a systematic review of 170 […] Read more
More farmers switching to organics
The allure of high organic prices has become irresistible for some growers. Industry representatives say 2015 was a fantastic year for Canada’s organic grain sector with the number of new producers jumping substantially. “I’ve done more inspections for new, transitioning growers in 2015 than I (have) in many years beforehand,” said Stuart McMillan, an organic […] Read more
Can organic ever catch up with conventional?
Most agronomists and farmers concede that organic crop yields are lower than conventional. The debate usually centres on the size of the yield gap and whether organic agriculture, if properly supported with research and extension, could produce a sufficient volume of grains and oilseeds to feed the world. Anecdotal reports and Twitter comments suggest the […] Read more
Organic growers get lesson in humility
GUELPH, Ont. — Criticizing farmers isn’t the best way to win friends at an agricultural conference. However, Dan Kittredge managed to do it and still get a standing ovation at the Guelph Organic Conference Jan. 30. Kittredge, an organic farmer from Massachusetts and expert on soil health, said organic producers should be more “humble.” For […] Read more
Lessons from First Nation
This year’s Guelph Organic Conference and Expo looked to the roots of agriculture in the Great Lakes region for lessons in modern organic farming. Richard Hill, a member of the Haudenosaunee First Nation, which is part of the Six Nation Confederacy, spoke to an attentive and enthusiastic crowd. Before his talk, several people were working […] Read more
Manitoba gov’t to help organize organic clubs
An organic specialist in Manitoba plans to help farmers create organic production clubs in the province. Manitoba’s organic community is small and many producers already know each other, but the clubs would be a forum to share knowledge and advance organic agriculture, said Laura Telford, Manitoba Agriculture’s business development specialist for organics. The clubs are […] Read more
Back to basics: farm aims for sustainability
Permaculture principles | Members learn how to live in harmony with nature
GUELPH, Ont. — Wetland, woodland, farmland and suntrap gardens can all can be found at Whole Village Farm just 60 minutes from downtown Toronto. The scenario may seem fanciful and the community has yet to achieve the level of sustainability envisioned under its permaculture principles, but there have been successes. Brenda Dolling, one of the […] Read more
Time to ’fess up: organics have GMOs
‘No such thing as zero’ | Expert says honest conversation needed with consumers about what organic means — and doesn’t
GUELPH, Ont. — Leaders in North America’s organic movement say it’s time to tell consumers that organic food does contain genetically modified organisms. Speaking at the Guelph Organic Conference in early February, Dag Falck, organic program manager with Nature’s Path, one of the largest manufacturers of organic breakfast cereals and snack bars in North America, […] Read more
