Food Farm Talk

A panel discussion exploring the business case for climate solutions was part of the 2023 Arrell Food Summit: Pathways to Change on November 14, 2023.Speakers included:- Mauricio Alanis, Director of Sustainability Strategy and Partnerships, Maple Leaf Foods- Mohamed Yaghi, Climate and Agriculture Policy Lead, Climate Action Institute, RBC- Julie Gartside, Global Head of Integration Management Climate Change Strategies Technical Director, SLR Consulting- Ellery Burton, Principal Managing Partner, Alterra Innovation- Sally Flis, Director, Sustainability Program Design & Outcome Management, Nutrien Ag SolutionsThe discussion explores the “why” behind adopting climate solutions in food and agriculture.While climate change can be seen only as a risk, many companies are seizing the opportunity to strengthen their resilience to climate impacts, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt new technologies that will create a competitive business advantage and lead to economic growth. Many businesses also recognize that policy changes are already underway, and are moving to align their business practices with investor, stakeholder and consumer values.Perspectives from farming, industry and policy will inform this panel discussion, which helps companies, industry and decision-makers explore their ‘why’ behind adopting climate solutions in food and agriculture and helps to strengthen the business case for sustainable decisions.Thanks to the Arrell Food Institute for partnering to air this episode on Food Farm Talk. First aired in 2024.More information:https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/

Agriculture played an important role in colonialism and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples. Today it could help build prosperity and reconciliation. We hear from Chief Cadmus Delorme on the history of agriculture and colonialism as it is expressed on Cowessess First Nation, Treaty 4 in Saskatchewan.In this episode, Chief Delorme traces the history of his First Nation from before European contact, through signing of Treaty 4, the failure to implement Treaty obligations, and the roadblocks to real First Nations engagement in agriculture from the start. Support for European-style agriculture was promised in the numbered treaties of western Canada like Treaty 4, only to be quickly subverted.Chief Delorme talks about many of the issues regarding these treaties and the Indian Act. The Indian Agents’ power to control First Nations people, the pass system requiring the Indian Agents’ approval of sales of grain and cattle, and arbitrary reductions in the size of the Cowessess reserve land area.This is a brutal irony as Indigenous people and agriculture have a long history in Canada and on Turtle Island going back thousands of years. The agricultural innovations from Indigenous peoples in the Americas transformed global agriculture after European contact.This presentation was part of virtual conference in September 2021 on Indigenous Agricultural Innovation held by FHQ Developments and is used with their permission.Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cree (Nehiyaw) and Saulteaux (Anishinabe), was Chief of the Cowessess First Nation. He came to national attention in 2021 when 751 unmarked graves were identified on Cowessess First Nation. He holds a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration from the First Nations University of Canada, and was also named in CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40, a list of leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.This episode is part of a series on different aspects of Indigenous agriculture. In the next episodes, Cadmus Delorme explores the challenges and opportunities for First Nations’ pursuing prosperity through business development in agriculture and agri-business.Thanks to Thomas Benjoe and Indigenous Agriculture Innovation for partnering to air this on Food Farm Talk.Cowessess First Nationhttps://www.cowessessfn.com/A Brief History of Indigenous Agriculturehttps://manitobamuseum.ca/a-brief-history-of-indigenous-agriculture/Canada’s First Nations people were country’s first farmershttps://www.producer.com/crops/canadas-first-nations-people-were-countrys-first-farmers/File Hills Qu’Appelle (FHQ) Developmentshttps://fhqdev.com/File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Councilhttps://fhqtc.com/Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nationshttps://www.fsin.ca/Indigenous Peoples in Canadian agriculture - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadahttps://agriculture.canada.ca/en/indigenous-peoples-canadian-agriculture

Wrapping up our Stories of Regeneration tour, we land in Ottawa at Just Food Community Farm, a 150-acre farmstead located in Ottawa’s Greenbelt that is championing small-scale, viable agriculture businesses and initiatives like Chi Garden and Urban Fresh Produce. Dedicated to cultivating a thriving local food economy and sustainable farming sector, Just Food integrates agroecology-based conservation with land stewardship. The farm is a testament to how community-led initiatives can redefine our food systems, offering food sovereignty for all, including newcomers to Canada. Its Start-up Farm Program addresses the critical barrier of land access, turning aspiring individuals into farmers and fostering community regeneration. Highlighting this unique model, Chadwick Lewis (Urban Fresh Produce) and Sun Shan (Chi Garden), participants of the program, share their experiences in our series finale, underscoring the farm’s role in sustainable agriculture and community building. Highlights: 6:45 – What is Just Food Community Farm? 15:25 – Chadwick and Sun Shan talk about their individual farms and how they got involved in agriculture. 23:14 – What regenerative practices do they implement on their individual farms? 34:33 – Sun Shan and Chadwick talk about food sovereignty. 46:02 – How can we support new Canadians who want to get involved in agriculture and ensure economic viability? 1:02:31 – Why did Sun Shan and Chadwick choose farming? Thanks to Regeneration Canada and Rural Routes to Climate Solutions for partnering to air this episode on Food Farm Talk and CFRU. Useful links: Stories of Regeneration Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map Just Food Community Farm If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following: EP 47 – The Regen Mindset EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1 EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2 EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3 EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4 EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5 EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6 EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7 EP 76 – Partners in the Ecosystem – SoR Part 8 EP 77 – Healthy Food, Healthy Communities – SoR Part 9 Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities. This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.

In this episode, we’ll be doing some exploration into the relationship between society and regenerative agriculture and how one can help advance the other. But the real meat and potatoes of the last three episodes, just like in all the other episodes in this series, will be about getting to know and understand the boots on the ground folks who are leading the way on this change that we are seeing in the agriculture sector. Meet Rebecca Harbut and Mike Bomford from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) in Richmond, BC—prime examples of such trailblazers. Now, you might wonder, how do university professors fit the description of being ‘on the ground’? Well, let me tell you, KPU isn’t just any university; it boasts a farm that lies at the heart of Rebecca and Mike’s endeavors. Moreover, as we’ve touched upon throughout this podcast series, with Canada’s population nearing the 40 million mark, farm and ranch operators, along with farm laborers, represent a mere fraction—around 1%—of the populace. The takeaway here? It’s going to require a collective effort, involving many of us outside the traditional farming community, to partner with that crucial 1%. This collaboration is key to expanding regenerative agriculture from a niche practice to a widespread one. 8:33 – Rebecca and Mike help us get to know them better. 15:31 – How did the land that KPU sits on get involved in agriculture? 27:22 – What’s taking place on the KPU farm? 37:14 – What regenerative practices are used on the KPU farm? 40:13 – Mike talks more about the farm’s crop rotation. 48:08 – What is the story that KPU farm is trying to tell? 53:31 – How hard was it for the university to take that leap into establishing an ecosystem? 58:45 – Why are community partners an important part of the ecosystem at the KPU farm? Kwantlen Polytechnic University Stories of Regeneration Stories of Regeneration Short Film Series Regeneration Canada’s Farm Map If you want to learn more, we recommend you check out the following: EP 67 – Total Grazing – SoR Part 1 EP 69 – Loyal to the Soil – SoR Part 2 EP 70 – Maximizing Soil Function – SoR Part 3 EP 71 – Sharing the Land – SoR Part 4 EP 72 – Connecting People to Place – SoR Part 5 EP 73 – Diversity is Resiliency – SoR Part 6 EP 75 – From Pastures to Cheese – SoR Part 7 Our Farmers Blog shares stories about Alberta farmers who do an exceptional job of caring for the land, producing food, and building up their communities. This podcast has been partially funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

Sustainable farming is about the people and organizations working daily to that end. Stuart Wright is a dairy and cash crop farmer from Kenilworth, Wellington County, and a past President of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Both Stuart and the Soil and Crop organization work hard on farm sustainability. Stuart describes his family’s work building soil health and sustainability using crop rotation, no till, strip till, cover crops, and the 4Rs of nutrient management. Since 1939, Soil and Crop has been innovating new ways of growing crops to improve both production and conservation. Stuart’s discussion with Paul Smith illustrates the complexity of juggling crops, livestock and changing practices. He also reflects about how farmers learn from other farmers, advisors and researchers, and then try new things on their farms—illustrating the importance of the network of organizations collaborating on sustainable agriculture. (Originally aired in 2020). More information is available at: https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/ https://wellingtonsoilcrop.org/ https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/association/the-soil-fixers/ https://www.farms.com/videos/rural-lifestyle/stuart-wright-138455.aspx

In this 2022 episode, we speak to Katherine Eckert, a Ph.D. student and Arrell Food Scholar at the University of Guelph. Katherine discusses working with the Guelph Family Health Study and the creation of the new book "Plant-Based Proteins: Recipes Made Easy-Peasy". We also discuss Katherine's journey to health and nutrition, Ph.D. research, and the conversations around plant-based diets. The 2019 Canada’s Food Guide recommends eating plant-based proteins more often. Eating plant-based proteins can have a positive effect on your health and the health of the planet. It can also help reduce your grocery bill. They designed this cookbook and 12 instructional videos as a resource for understanding the different types of plant-based proteins and how to incorporate them in recipes to make delicious healthy meals and snacks for your family. They created recipes guaranteed to meet the discerning taste buds of picky preschoolers, meat lovers, and long-time plant-based protein enthusiasts alike!

First Nations are building modern agricultural businesses in many parts of Canada. Historically, agriculture played an important role in colonialism and the dispossession of Indigenous peoples. Today it could help build prosperity and reconciliation, as envisioned in Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action 92. In this episode, we hear from Cadmus Delorme on their efforts to build successful agricultural businesses on the Cowsessess First Nation, Treaty 4 in Saskatchewan. Chief Delorme recounts how they have built their crop and livestock business and overcame challenges that many First Nations face in the agriculture business. This presentation was part of virtual conference in September 2021 on Indigenous Agricultural Innovation held by FHQ Developments and is used with their permission. Both First Nations and the Métis faced historic exclusion from agriculture and dispossession of their land that could have provided livelihoods for people and communities. This is well documented in the historical literature. For First Nations, especially in western Canada, agriculture was promised as the means for livelihoods. Provisions for training, farm implements, and livestock were included in treaties, but reneged on or subject to graft and nepotism. First Nations were then excluded from agricultural markets to protect European settlers from competition. Indian agents had to approve all sales. For Métis, the government promised that land grants under the Métis Scrip system would provide agricultural livelihoods for future generations. But a system of graft and corruption deprived most Métis of their land. That is Canada’s lesser know history. Today is a new era with many changes to agriculture and government policy regarding Indigenous people in agriculture. There are new Indigenous-focused programs at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and some Provincial programs. IAPO or the Indian Agriculture Program of Ontario has new funding from the federal government and is providing new services to support First Nations agriculture in Ontario. The Anishinabek Nation group of 39 First Nations are developing a strategic approach to agriculture business and received provincial agriculture funding for that effort. In 2021, Farm Management Canada released “The Path Forward: Supporting the Business Management Needs of Indigenous Producers”, a brand-new research report investigating the business management needs of Indigenous agricultural producers. Hopefully, these changes reflect our future direction. More information: Cowessess First Nation https://www.cowessessfn.com/ File Hills Qu’Appelle (FHQ) Developments https://fhqdev.com/ Talking With the Plow: Agricultural Policy and Indian Farming in the Canadian and U.S. Prairies https://cjns.brandonu.ca/wp-content/uploads/16-2-bateman.pdf Indigenous Peoples in Canadian agriculture - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/indigenous-peoples-canadian-agriculture IAPO – First Nations Farm and Business Financing http://indianag.on.ca/ Anishinabek Agriculture https://anishinabekagriculture.ca/ Supporting the Business Management Needs of Indigenous Producers https://fmc-gac.com/indigenous-ag-report/

The Environmental Farm Plan or EFP builds sustainability on Ontario and Canadian farms by farmers assessing their farms' environmental risks and changing practices to reduce or eliminate those risks. It began over 25 years ago in Ontario, led by farmer organizations working with governments, building consensus and changing social norms. EFP has now spread across Canada and evolved to fit each region’s needs. The evolution continues to meet changing demands. EFP may become the base for farms’ sustainability certification. An electronic version improves convenience and may appeal to younger generations. Listen to Paul Smith’s conversation with Andy Graham, Executive Director of Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and others reflecting on the history, evolution and future of the Environmental Farm Plan. (First aired in 2019). https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/workshops-webinars/environmental-farm-plan/ http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/efp/efp.htm http://nationalefp.ca/ https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/oscia-programs/workshops-webinars/environmental-farm-plan/efp-videos/ https://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/sar/article/view/0/43433

Fertilizer is fundamental to agriculture and key to feeding the world population. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are often the focus—what agronomists call crop nutrients. Yet fertilizer use can have unintended effects on soil ecosystems, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. So, sustainable use of fertilizer is a key issue in farm sustainability. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program brings together agronomy, environmental science, crop planning and education to help farmers plan fertilizer use to grow their crops, save money and conserve the environment. The 4Rs stand for the Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place for fertilizer application. McKenzie Smith, Director, Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs at Fertilizer Canada in Ottawa and Nicole Penney of FS PARTNERS out of Guelph help us explore this topic. The first of this two part exploration of the 4Rs delves into the science, training and practices within the 4Rs planning system. The next episode explores the environmental aspects and related research on the 4Rs system. (First aired in 2020). More information: https://fertilizercanada.ca/nutrient-stewardship/ https://nutrientstewardship.org/

Ralph Martin’s book is an evocative mix of science, philosophy, memoir, reflection and manifesto for change. And food and farming tie it all together. Food security is certainly a focus, but the book ranges far beyond a narrow view of that phrase. Ralph is a retired professor of plant agriculture at Guelph with an emphasis on organic agriculture and forage crops. The book promo says the following. “Canadians are failing to balance reasonable food consumption with sufficient and sustainable production. The modern agricultural system is producing more and more food. Too much food. The cost is enormous: excess nutrients are contaminating the air and water; soil is being depleted; species loss is plunging us toward the sixth extinction; and farmers, racking up debt, are increasingly vulnerable to economic and climatic shifts. And then there is the waste — householders, food processors, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers collectively waste 40 percent of the food produced. A radical rethink is required. We need to move from excess to enough.” Listen to his discussion with Paul Smith. (Originally aired in 2020). More information is available at: https://ralphmartin.ca/ https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459744028-food-security https://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/rcmartin

Emily Duncan talks about the quality and safety of the food we eat with Dr. Maria Corradini of the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph. Maria discusses her research in food processing and value addition. The discussion highlights the role of food processing in improving the quality, safety and life of food. It emphasizes the need for consumers to appreciate the central role of processing as food moves from farm to table. (Originally aired in 2019). https://arrellfoodinstitute.ca/experts/maria-corradini/ https://www.uoguelph.ca/foodscience/people/maria-corradini https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_Corradini

What a year 2021 was in agriculture and food! Emily, Abdul and Paul get together to review some highlights of events in agriculture and food, from global to local. The UN Food Systems Summit made its mark. Extreme weather and climate change made their impact. Flooding in British Columbia and drought throughout western Canada and northwest Ontario prompted Government assistance to affected farmers. The cooperative Hay West also assisted. Canada’s new climate plan now includes agricultural programs that were confirmed in Budget 2021. A contested Fertilizer Canada study claimed a 30% reduction in emissions due to fertilizer use would cost farmers massive lost production. Equity and reconciliation are receiving attention in agriculture. The Guelph Ministers’ statement shows direction on next federal-provincial-territorial agricultural policy framework. Farmland protection from development was a hot topic across Ontario. Locally in Guelph, we highlighted the work of Our Food Future and the SEED tackling issues of food security and food waste. Those are just a fraction of hot topics in 2021, even without COVID.  More information:  UN Food Systems Summit 2021 https://www.un.org/en/food-systems-summit  Canada’s new climate plan https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview/healthy-environment-healthy-economy.html  Increases in AgriRecovery funding to up to $500 million to support farmers facing extreme weather https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2021/08/government-of-canada-increases-total-agrirecovery-funding-to-up-to-500-million-to-support-farmers-facing-extreme-weather.html  $3 million of Funding for Hay West from Canadian Government https://www.cfa-fca.ca/2021/12/15/cfa-pleased-to-announce-3-million-of-funding-for-hay-west-from-canadian-government-but-more-funding-is-needed-for-coming-months/  Ontario Providing Additional Drought Support for Northwestern Farmers https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000835/ontario-providing-additional-drought-support-for-northwestern-farmers  Farm Groups issue joint statement recognizing National Day for Truth and Reconciliation https://ofa.on.ca/newsroom/joint-statement-recognizing-national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation/  Fertilizer Canada study https://fertilizercanada.ca/news-events/news/new-report-warns-of-potential-for-48-billion-loss-in-farm-income-if-fertilizer-reductions-are-required-of-growers/  Canada’s Ministers of Agriculture hold annual meeting and release Guelph Statement https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agri-info/canadas-ministers-agriculture-hold-annual-meeting-and-release-guelph-statement Ontario farmers hampered by excessive rain https://www.producer.com/news/ontario-farmers-hampered-by-excessive-rain/  Our Food Future https://foodfuture.ca/  The SEED Guelph https://theseedguelph.ca/

Soil health and conservation is a hot topic in Canadian agriculture. The Soil Conservation Council of Canada is the only national organization working on soil conservation and Jim Totarchuk, Executive Director of the council, tells us about the council and its work. In November 2021, the council held their virtual Summit on Canadian Soil Health 2021 with the theme “Healthy Soil – Healthy Planet”. They sponsor the annual Soil Conservation Week in April each year. That has often included a focus on the “Soil Your Undies” test for soil health which has garnered a lot of media and public interest. This “cheeky” test of soil biological health tests a soil’s ability to digest the cotton underwear. The Council also issues a soil health report card, assessing how different parts of Canada are doing on soil conservation. The council has also had a project on the go called the soil carbon road map, summarizing the science on soil carbon in agriculture. Since its founding in 1987, the Council has been the national voice to advance soil conservation in Canada. More information: Soil Conservation Council of Canada https://soilcc.ca/ Senator Rob Black on soil health https://senparlvu.parl.gc.ca/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20220211/-1/10448?mediaStartTime=20211202140539&viewMode=3&globalStreamId=16 2021 Soil Summit https://soilcc.ca/events/summit-on-canadian-soil-health-2021/ Soil Conservation Week https://soilcc.ca/programs/national-soil-conservation-week/ “Soil Your Undies” https://soilcc.ca/programs/soil-your-undies/ Soil Health Report Card https://soilcc.ca/programs/sccc-soil-health-report-card/