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From the Hip

How does peanut butter fit into our identity as Canadians?
From the Hip, Opinion

It’s as Canadian as peanut butter? Fascinating food facts

Whether born out of curiosity or necessity, this country has a rich history in creating new foods

By
When we think of a Canadian meal, we think of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, milk, and all the fixings. Spring is here and the BBQ has likely been dusted off to welcome these old flames to our weary winter palate. As Canadians, we set the table with favourites such as lasagna, burgers of every description, […] Read more
Though many farmers may not realize it, their routine in a global context is essential to food security and social stability.
From the Hip, Opinion

Viewing the importance of farming through a different lens

Studying global leadership gave me a new appreciation of how agriculture underpins everything

By
I am writing to you in this column sporting my new credentials: master of arts in global leadership. And through it all, I never left agriculture. In fact, it was agriculture that gave me the depth and breadth of experience for interesting dialogue and the completion of many papers based on food production and food […] Read more
Hundreds of thousands of square metres of greenhouse space is being refitted to propagate and produce cannabis.
From the Hip, Opinion

An unintended consequence of cannabis legalization

The money in cannabis has made it a highly attractive alternative to greenhouse plant propagators


By
When the Government of Canada changed the Criminal Code and legalized cannabis, it raised very few eyebrows in the agricultural community. It was debated as a crop on all levels and later recognized as an agricultural product. Where it was grown and by whom was left to other jurisdictions. It was viewed as an opportunity […] Read more
What I appreciate in the latest Canada’s Food Guide is the encouragement to get children involved in the process of meal preparation. – Brenda Schoepp
From the Hip, Opinion

The new food guide can be an opportunity for the ag sector

Instead of being on the defensive, why not take a more constructive and educational approach?

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I read with dismay that British grocer giant Tesco was cutting more jobs in its grocery stores from the fresh counter and replacing those employees with vending machines. I thought about how that put another league of distance between people and their food. Is it any wonder farmers feel there is such disconnect with the […] Read more
Almost everything we grow in Canada is exported in some form and this relies on rail, trucks, air transport but more importantly, transport by sea through warm water ports.
From the Hip, Opinion

Infrastructure is the foundation of food security

Without functioning ports, economies can be crippled — as the British may soon learn to their sorrow

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Grain farmers have experienced it: The worry about grain car accessibility and the multiplying losses when grain cannot be shipped or sits at port. Cattlemen know the importance of an open border. Almost everything we grow in Canada is exported in some form and this relies on rail, trucks, air transport but more importantly, transport […] Read more
Food and financial literacy needs to be taught in our schools so children can bring that knowledge back to their communities and homes.
From the Hip, Opinion

It’s Home Economics 101 — and a lesson for our time

It’s time to bring back those skills that made the kitchen tables the centre of our homes

By
I made a quick evening stop at the grocery store while near Edmonton. It was late and cold. Tired moms filled the aisles, getting their shopping done. Men filled baskets with food for the next day. Babies cried. Children were restless. This was not an ideal end to a long working day. I thought about […] Read more
Is it time to shift the power from agricultural pricing based on USDA data to Canadian data?
From the Hip, Opinion

Data is too important to be left in the hands of others

Canada relies on the U.S for critical agricultural data, and that leaves us extraordinarily vulnerable

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Vulnerability is a word that I have taken to heart a lot in the past few years. We are vulnerable when we change, or seek change; vulnerable when we are left open to volatile weather or markets; and in agriculture, we are extraordinarily vulnerable when we are without data. The partial shutdown of the U.S. […] Read more
From the Hip, Opinion

I have been blessed in the company of rural women

Rural women look to each other for help, inspiration, and empowerment

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Perfect winter travelling weather on rural Alberta roads led me in November to the village of Plamondon. It might be a small place but her heart is huge, and it was a joy to laugh, cry, and simply ‘be with’ the more than 200 women in attendance. These days are gifts to me. To be […] Read more
What are perceived as imperfections by some in fruits and vegetables, results in global losses as much as 50 per cent of the total grown.
From the Hip, Opinion

When it comes to food waste, the system is broken

An astonishing amount of food spoils or is thrown out — it’s time to take action

By
Between my home and the Victoria airport is a big sign urging “Let’s reduce food waste.” If you are reading this column from your farm table, you may already be an expert at the preservation of food and the use of leftovers. Typically, we eat all we grow on the farm. In the store however, […] Read more

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AGCanadaTV: In Case You Missed It – Your National Ag News Recap for the week ending May 17, 2019.

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