November 1, 2019
In case you missed it PEI Premier Dennis King announced the appointment of Brian Matheson as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land in early October. Matheson had been acting in the role since June and has extensive experience in leading agricultural policy. He previously served as Director of Policy and Agricultural Resources with the Department of Agriculture and Land. A…
Salty takes a look at the food-related platform promises of the recently re-elected Liberal government As the dust settles on the federal election with a minority Liberal government win, we took their electoral platform and pulled out all the food-related promises. Promises related to tax cuts, family and child benefits, minimum wage, and small business incentives can ultimately put more…
March 1, 2019
In honour of International Women’s Day, a look at changing gender roles and the shift from farmer’s wife or farmer’s daughter to straight-up farmer, like Nancy Sanderson of Hope River Farm Farming in Canada is evolving to have more female presence, according to the 2016 Census of Agriculture. Yet, through our history women have always played important roles in agriculture:…
November 1, 2018
Late participation available for PEI farmers affected by June frosts Agriculture is essential to the rural way of life on Prince Edward Island. Governments remain committed to the continued expansion and success of the PEI agricultural sector by ensuring producers have the tools they need to manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farms. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership…
September 1, 2018
Using science to create better organic crops for farmers to grow Standing at the edge of a field of wheat, oats, and peas, Roger Henry, a research technician in soil and water at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, discussed the methods used to research organic plant hardiness, yield, and weed control at the Agriculture Canada research farm in Harrington, PEI. Organized…
June 1, 2018
Nurturing community through celebrating food and career exploration Rows of bench tables filled the Bluefield High School cafeteria. Each individual place setting was distinguished by a menu of the evening’s fare and carefully arranged tableware. Burlap wrapped mason jars holding small, glowing tealight candles spanned the tables. Conversation hummed at booths around the perimeter of the room. Here education, industry,…
May 1, 2018
Traps to be set May and June in fourth trial season of integrative pest management for wireworm “The problem is the solution.” Famous words from permaculture guru Bill Mollison. A phrase that sounds paradoxical. Yet, isn’t all great wisdom? In recent years PEI has experienced a growing problem that has cost the potato industry millions. Three introduced species of European…
March 31, 2018
Reconnecting consumers to producers with Community Supported Agriculture “Eating is an agricultural act,” said great writer, activist, and farmer Wendell Berry. If you consume food you are a participant in agriculture, and so we all are. Not that long ago people grew most, or all, of their food and if they didn’t grow it themselves, they often knew who did.…
February 1, 2018
Proudly celebrating hard-working Canadians Did you know Canada is the world’s fifth largest agricultural exporter? From exporting Prairie-grown lentils, to PEI’s potatoes, Canada’s food fills bellies around the world. It’s time to give kudos to agriculture in Canada, and February 13th is the day to do so. “Canada’s Agriculture Day is a time to celebrate the individuals that work hard…
April 1, 2017
PEI NGO working to enhance food security in Kenya On the surface, Kenya and Prince Edward Island may seem worlds apart, but challenges related to farming and food security are a reality for both. PEI’s Farmers Helping Farmers (FHF) has been working with community groups in the African nation to address these issues through education-based projects. Their latest project is…