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ACORN October Organic E-news 1.Announcements 2.Opportunities/Classifieds 3.Upcoming Events 4.Organic News -Vote Organic -Farming Innovation Driv
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 REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2015 ACORN CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW! Don't miss this great opportunity to participate in the largest event supporting organic food and farming in all of Eastern Canada! Click above for full details... |
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ACORN October Organic E-news |
 Click above and register today for ACORN's 2015 Conference and Trade Show! |
1. Announcements
Early Bird ACORN Conference Registration is now posted!!!
Register now to secure your full pass for three days of over 50 workshops covering a great mix of farm topics, including soil, horticulture, fruit and value-added products, grains, pulses and field crops, and much more! Full Conference passes include full access to all additional events and meals (3 all-organic lunches; our Kick-Off party and four-course banquet and keynote address with Dr. Andy Hammermeister!). Please note that until Monday October 12th, all online registrants will receive a SIGNIFICANT discount off their registration fee, so don't miss this great opportunity!
See the exciting full program HERE and click here to register today! We hope to see you there! We have awesome workshops planned and look forward to gathering everyone to celebrate ACORN's 15th anniversary!
Help us spread the word! Please join and share our following Facebook events:
2015 ACORN Conference and Trade Show
2015 ACORN Conference Kick-Off
2015 ACORN Homesteading Workshop Series
For those that are Twitter-savvy, the 2015 ACORN Conference Hashtag is #2015ACORN.
For full details, see www.acornconference.org. For all inquiries, please contact events@acornorganic.org or call 1-866-322-2676 (toll-free).
ACORN Workshop: FarmHack - Tools and Innovations for the Small-Scale Farm
On October 26th, with support from the Nova Scotia Community College, ACORN & The Grow A Farmer Learning Series presents: FarmHack: Tools and Innovations for the Small-Scale Farmer. Presented by Dorn Cox, PhD
FarmHack represents a worldwide community of farmers that build and modify their own tools and innovations. Oftentimes this results in the development of an inventive physical implement that addresses an on-farm problem or inefficiency. This is accomplished by hosting events that welcome a wide variety of participants including farmers, designers, engineers, architects, artists, and any others seeking to support sustainable agriculture through creative processes. Then “hacks” are shared online at farmhack.org and at in-person gatherings.
Join Dorn Cox, farmer and founding member of FarmHack as he explains the FarmHack network and ways to apply and benefit from FarmHack’s open-source and cost-saving resources for your farm and community. From DIY root washers to pedal-powered tractors, the FarmHack platform serves to provide farmers and other tradespeople with inspiration and tangible examples of ways to develop farm innovations and thus create more resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
The afternoon portion of this workshop will identify three common "problem" areas faced by local farmers, whether it be tools and technologies related to seeding, post harvest handling, bed preparation and/or maintenance. Examples of effective and sustainable solutions will be shared and discussed among the group.
Date & Time: Monday October 26th, 10am-4pm
Location: Salon C (next to the Cafeteria), Nova Scotia Community College, Truro Campus, 36 Arthur St, Truro, NS, B2N 1X5
Cost: $25 for ACORN Members or $40 for Non-Members
REGISTER TODAY as this event is coming soon and space is limited! For full details, see here and spread the word by joining the Facebook event here. For all inquiries, please contact Lucia Stephen at lucia@acornorganic.org.
Nominations Open For the Organic Award Honouring Outstanding Contributions in Atlantic Canada
ACORN's Annual Gerrit Loo Award is presented at the ACORN Conference each year. If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to organics in Atlantic Canada and would like to nominate them, please see the nomination form here. Deadline for all nominations is Friday, October 16th. Note: Only ACORN members can nominate (not a member? Join today!).
Interested in Babysitting Atlantic Canada's Future Organic Farmers??
ACORN is seeking a Conference Child Care Coordinator for our 15th Anniversary Conference & Trade Show in Charlottetown from November 23-25! This person will be responsible for overseeing all child care offered at the conference.
Responsibilities include:
• Develop and implement fun-filled child care activities at this year’s ACORN Conference
• Keep parents or guardians informed of each day’s schedule (lunchtime pick-ups, end of the day time)
• Ensure parental forms for each child are completed
• Work with approximately 3-4 ACORN Conference volunteers per day who will be there to assist with child care activities
• Have fun!
See full position details here and submit your application ASAP to tegan@acornorganic.org.
Calling all ACORN Conference Volunteers!
We are making our official call for volunteers who can contribute a little or a lot of their time during the 2015 ACORN Conference & Trade Show. This is your chance to support the local organic food movement, meet new people, and get free day passes! Volunteer for 4 hours and ACORN will offer you a FREE day pass. 12 hours total volunteering will get you a full basic pass for the conference.
There are many volunteer opportunities available prior to and during the conference. See a full list of volunteer positions here.
We ask that all those interested in volunteering apply by October 26th. We make great efforts to accommodate everyone who wishes to volunteer (because we really need your support!), but there are limited opportunities, so don't delay - apply now!
Not able to volunteer? A limited amount of bursaries are available. Please check the website to see if you qualify.
Questions? Please contact tegan@acornorganic.org. |
 Nova Scotia's Minister of Agriculture Keith Colwell officially proclaimed Organic Week at ACORN President Brian Boates' farm: “Eating local and looking for organic products produced right here in Nova Scotia can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and vibrant rural communities,” said Mr. Colwell. |
ACORN Ethical Meat Workshops - Dec 7 & 8th, Dartmouth, NS
In partnership with Perennia and the Nova Scotia Community College, ACORN/Grow A Farmer presents: The Ethical Meat Workshop Series, presented by Meredith Leigh, author of The Ethical Meat Handbook.
December 7th - Day One: Ethical Beef & The Profitable Cattle Farm
December 8th - Day Two: Ethical Pork & The Profitable Hog Farm
These sessions will go from 9am-4pm each day. Location for both events: Room TBD, Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley Campus, 21 Woodlawn Rd, Dartmouth, NS, B2W 2R6.
Cost: $60/day for ACORN Members or Two-day Combo Package for $95. $75/day for Non-Members or Two-day Combo Package for $125. Travel subsidies are available to Nova Scotia farmers and processors travelling with 3 people or more. Lunch is included for ACORN Members! For more information about ACORN membership, please see here.
Learn from Meredith Leigh, author of The Ethical Meat Handbook, as she walks through the process of raising and selling organic meat. At these workshops you will learn all about the reasons and considerations in raising organic beef and/or pork, along with production and management strategies, from breed selection to grazing and herd health. Meredith will also detail strategies in processing and maximizing the value of the carcass with marketing opportunities to consider as you grow your farm enterprise and establish new clients.
Register now! For full details, please see here.
Bio: Over the past thirteen years, Meredith Leigh has worked as a farmer, chef, teacher, non-profit executive director, and writer, all in pursuit of sustainable food. She has developed a farmers cooperative, catalyzed non-profit farm ventures, raised vegetables, flowers, and pastured meats, owned and managed a retail butcher shop, and more. Currently, Meredith spends some of her time teaching, handling sheep and hogs, cooking, and doing outreach at Living Web Farms, a non-profit education and research farm in Mills River, NC. She is a mother to two boys, many plants and fermentation projects, and lives in Asheville, NC, USA. For more information, please visit http://www.mereleighfood.com/.
Educational Mission Trip to New England Fruit and Berry Conference
La Récolte de Chez Nous/Really Local Harvest Co-op in partnership with the NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry and ACORN are hosting a 2015 Educational Mission Trip to the New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference (Dec 15-17) in Manchester, NH.
For more details and to register contact transition@acornorganic.org.
FarmWorks Flavours – Third Annual Celebration of Food Producers and Chefs
FarmWorks Investment Cooperative Ltd. presents FarmWorks Flavours, a celebration of local food producers and chefs! This event will take place on Sunday, November 1st, from 5pm–7pm at the Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market Space in Dartmouth, NS.
FarmWorks Flavours provides everyone with an opportunity to enjoy delicious, nutritious local foods and beverages produced by the recipients of loans from FarmWorks Investment Co-operative Limited. Guests sample world-class taste sensations from some of the very best producers in the Province. They talk with the producers about the foods and beverages they’re sampling and they are able to purchase additional goodies to take home.
Buy your ticket today! For full details and listings of all participating businesses and organizations, please visit www.farmworks.ca. Join the Facebook event here. |
 The #EATTHINKVOTE campaign is in full swing! Have you joined the #EatThinkVote movement? Food Secure Canada and partners have launched their campaign for a national food policy for Canada. Sign the petition, donate, and host an event in your community to discuss why local organic food matters with your candidates. Click above to get full details and please spread the word! There are always a lot of great opportunities to spread the news, including: · Creating Facebook and blog posts · Writing articles for your local newspapers or going on a local radio show · Attending all-candidate meetings to ask questions about food · Having a table or booth at an event or farmers’ market with information and the petition · Talking to friends and family and sharing things through newsletters and community groups! |
Growing Your Artisan Business At Farmers’ Markets, A Workshop Series
The Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative is thrilled to be offering a comprehensive workshop series for new, existing and expanding artisan vendors selling in, or considering selling in, our growing Farmers’ Market sector. Topics include Starting Up at Farmers’ Markets, Merchandizing, Customer Service, Branding & Marketing, Social Media, Holiday & Tourism Sales, and Next Steps. Think of this workshop series as a menu of skill-building sessions – you can register for the entire series or pick and choose which sessions are right for you.
Our instructor, Michelle Wolf, is an entrepreneur, skilled facilitator and leading Farmers’ Market expert. She is the owner/operator of Whole Green Heart Consulting and FMNS Director of Training. She herself owned and operated a successful artisan business in the Farmers’ Market sector for over 20 years.
Who should attend this workshop series? Artists, body care producers, jewellers, artisans and crafters, soap makers, specialty food producers, Nova Scotia giftware producers, potters, metal & wood workers, textile artists and others.
For full details on locations and dates as well as each workshop and costs, visit here. If you have any questions, please contact Keltie at the FMNS office at FMNS@farmersmarketsnovascotia.ca or 902-425-9776.
COG Webinar Series -The Canadian Organic Standards
The Canadian Organic Standards have been revised and updated and the new version is being released on November 9. To prepare for these changes, Canadian Organic Growers will be hosting a series of webinars in the coming months to ensure operators, producers, processors, certifying bodies and verification officers are up to date on the revisions. The dates and times for topic specific webinars are as follows:
Friday, October 16 5:00PM EST - Crop Production presented by Maureen Bostock
Friday, October 23 3:00PM EST - Livestock presented by Anne Macey
Friday, October 30 3:00PM EST - Preparation and Processing presented by Rochelle Eisen
Friday, November 6 3:00PM EST - Crop Production presented by Maureen Bostock
Friday, November 13 11:00AM EST - Livestock presented by Anne Macey
Friday, November 20 11:00AM EST - Preparation and Processing presented by Rochelle Eisen
Additional dates for January will be announced in the coming months.
More information is available on our website. Registration is $25 for each webinar and registration can be found here.
Any questions regarding the webinars can be directed to COG by e-mail at office@cog.ca or by phone 1-888-375-7383.
Global Organic Market Expected to Increase
According to a recent report, the global organic market is expected to increase 16% by 2020. This is great news for Canadian organic farmers as Canadian organic exports are valued at $554 million. The report itself, prepared by TechSci Research, is available by subscription only but you can read the media release here. |
 Photo credit: Dennis The Prescott |
2. Opportunities/Classifieds
ACORN seeking Child Care Coordinator for 2015 Conference: ACORN's 15th Anniversary Conference & Trade Show is being held at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel in Charlottetown, PEI from November 23-25 - and we are looking for a Conference Child Care Coordinator! This person will be responsible for overseeing all child care offered at the conference. See full position details here and submit your application ASAP to tegan@acornorganic.org.
Volunteer for the 2015 ACORN Conference and Trade Show! Calling all volunteers! ACORN needs your help to make the 15th Anniversary Conference a big success. Connect with the local organic community and earn FREE day passes! See here for full details!!!
Sponsor the 2015 ACORN Conference and Trade Show! There are a number of ACORN Sponsorship and Trade Show Opportunities! If you are interested in supporting and participating in the 2015 ACORN Conference and Trade Show, please click here to see (and process) our complete Sponsorship and Trade Show Package online. There are all sorts of different ways you can participate! For all inquiries, please contact transition@acornorganic.org.
Take Part in ACORN's Online Discussion Forum! From finding land to organizing bulk purchases, to learning how to farm or finding particular resources to support your needs and CSA development--it helps to know what is available in your region and where to look for support! Alongside the newly established CSA and Grow A Farmer Online Forum, ACORN has launched a new category for Farmer Collaboration as well. ACORN's Online Forum is available for organic farmers to share information on these topics and more. Join the conversation here and spread the word!
Looking for Jobs related to Food and Agriculture? Familiar with GoodWork Green Jobs Canada? Well now there is FOODWORK, a site specifically for jobs, internships and volunteer work related to food and agriculture! Click here to check out the site - http://FoodWork.ca!
Fellowship Opportunity: A TEAGASC 3 YEAR PHD WALSH FELLOWSHIP in “Sustainability and Consumers’ Use of Mobile Technologies in Food Related Search and Engagement” is available. Please click the link here to access the PDF, titled "Sustainability and Consumers’ Use of Mobile Technologies in Food Related Search and Engagement". Closing Date: 30 October 2015
Looking for Land to Lease in NS? We are looking for young farmers interested in long-term leasing of an operating farm property. Details: House, small barn, large barn with recent greenhouse refit (no power), poultry coops. 2 acres of working vegetable fields (no chemicals on the property for at least14 years, and probably 15-30 years), 2 acres of young nut trees, 1 acre of young pear and apple trees, 1.5 acres perennial bushes, including table grapes, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, currants, haskaps, all producing. Plot measurements are approximate. Also on property: 40 acres of forest, 35% of which is old growth, including 80-100 yr hemlocks; 30 additional acres of field, some in older hay, some reverting to forest; man-made pond (swimmable), beaver pond, one small stream used for irrigation, one river through forested area. We have a wide variety of native pollinators, including a large number of bee family members. For more information, please contact Michael Jensen and Susan Stephen at redroadfarm@gmail.com.
Apprentice On A Farm! Curious about farm-living? Seeking a first-time experience in agriculture? There are plenty of options available! Consider doing a SOIL apprenticeship this season! Please pass this info along to your friends and share on Facebook! Find out more at SOIL www.soilapprenticeships.com. If you have any questions, or would like to know what other opportunities exist for new and aspiring farmers please contact Lucia Stephen, ACORN's Grow A Farmer Coordinator at lucia@acornorganic.org.
Seeking Grow A Farmer Mentors! ACORN is seeking Certified Organic Farmer Mentors for the Grow A Farmer Mentorship Program. This initiative facilitates connections and support between established Mentor organic farmers with beginning organic farmers in each province, based on educational goals and areas of expertise. Help support the success of our future farmers by transferring your valuable and hard-earned wisdom and skill! If a successful match is made, Mentors are required to maintain 1-3 hours/month of communications (email/phone/or in-person) with the Beginner Farmer "Mentee." For full details about how this program works, and to complete the application form, please see here. If you have any questions, please contact Lucia Stephen, Program Coordinator at lucia@acornorganic.org. |
 Join our amazing friends at Picaroons Traditional Ales on Thursday October 8th for the PICAROONS HARVEST ALE CELEBRATION at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre in Fredericton, NB! This event is free to attend though donations will be encouraged to support the future of ACORN's Grow A Farmer Initiative - www.growafarmer.ca. Thanks SO much to the awesome team at Picaroons for this wonderful support! Click the above image to join the event! |
Job Opportunity Windhorse Farm is seeking a Housekeeper / Cleaner: This is a part-time position with a minimum of one half-day per week and potential for growth. The successful applicant will have a reliable vehicle, cell phone, regular access to a reliable computer, and will enjoy cleaning and organizing. This person reports to the Venues Manager and works co-operatively with other Housekeeping and Maintenance staff. For more details on the full description, visit here. Phone: 902-543-6955. Email: zoe@windhorsefarm.org.
For Sale: Horse-drawn farm equipment. 1. Massey-Harris reconditioned mower, 6' cutting bar, high-speed gearbox 2. Disc harrow, Groffdale M16, 5' transport disc, sulky kit, hydraulic lift 3. Pioneer wagon 3-ton, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, springs All designed to be used specifically with horses, practically new. $9,000 Pierre Clouthier, pierre@kyber.ca, 902-681-3102.
Farmland Leasing: What we offer: 2 Bedroom House + utility building (garage) near Sherbrook, NS, directly on the St. Mary’s River, 1-8 acres of previously farmed organic farmland maintained (no clearing whatsoever) variety of microclimates, fruit orchards, horse stable on different part of property, etc. What we look for: reliable (!!!) couple or single person, willing to stay 5-10 years or even longer - no age restrictions. For full details, see here. Contact If your interested! Send us an email and tell us about yourself! Please include a CV and possible references. Email: estatebythesea@gmail.com. We are very much looking forward to hearing from you!
For Rent: 2 Bed Mini-home, available June 1st, $590/mo. near Windsor, NS. (Util. not inclu) Ideally suited to those seeking true country living; Sited on an organic fruit/veg farm 10 min. to Windsor, 45 min to Hfx. Option to grow your own food and riding for experienced riders. May trade reduced rent for farm help. Eat-in kitch, living rm with wood flrs; sunrm, mudrm, 2 decks, wash/dryer, privacy, quiet lane shared with farmer. Efficient heat system. Year lease; 2 References. Contact: Charlotte 902-472-2498 or email charper@eastlink.ca.
Free Organic Fertilizer Large quantities of undiluted liquid mink manure. Highest nutrient levels of any livestock manure. See nutrient comparison on OMAFRA website. Mink manure meets eligibility requirements for organic inputs. Free for the taking. Please call or text Chris at 902 885 5351 or email lilypondfarms1@gmail.com.
For Sale: Organic Hay and Straw. Certified by ACO. Contact Murray at (506) 756-8261.
For Sale: Compost Tea. Fungal dominated compost tea, beneficial for fruit trees and berries; made with organically certified products; Asking $5 per gallon of concentrate which can be diluted to make 5 gallons for spray application. Phone: 506-432-0687 or email: nmillican50@gmail.com.
For Sale: Organic Hulless Oats, cleaned, weed-free, and good quality. Available whole, ground, or rolled. Certified by ACO. Call 902-357-2359 or email kcheverie1304@gmail.com.
For Sale: Supplies for starter greenhouse structures to commercial sizes. Snow load/wind load rated for Atlantic Canada. All equipment and hardware- 10,000 items plus. Poly sold by the linear foot- 4year rated, 6mil. Free quotes/consultations available. For more details, please contact Octa Greenhouse Sales Ltd. Paul/Elaine Bourque at 902-667-5940 or email octagh@eastlink.ca. |
 Shannon Jones of Broadfork Farm (and ACORN Board Member) recently contributed a blog post to Food Secure Canada's #EatThinkVote campaign about major ways to assist the next generation of organic farmers in Canada. Please show your support for this cause by clicking the above image, reading the post and signing the #EatThinkVote petition today! P.S. Spread the word! |
For Sale: Potted, native trees and shrubs; birch, oak, maple, ash, sumac, pine, fir, spruce, hemlock, larch, serviceberry, yews, blueberry, elderberry, raspberries, and wild rose: Prices, availability, sizes, at www.heliotreenursery.wordpress.com; Inquiries - 423-5000 (Ron) or ronscott@ns.sympatico.ca.
Wanted: Field Farms Marketing Ltd. has competitive prices for your Food & Feed grade crops: Wheat, Soybeans, Spelt, Buckwheat and others. We pick up farm gate & payment terms are 10 business days. Please contact nate@ffmltd.ca or call 519-882-2976. References available.
For Sale: BCS Sales & Service: McGinleys Yard & Garden Equipment Inc. stocks a large volume of BCS equipment and parts. We also offer experienced service technicians and a fully equipped repair shop. Please call or email for information or quotes (902-897-0699 and mcginleys@eastlink.ca) or visit our showroom and shop at 184 Arthur Street, Truro, NS.
For Sale: Organic Farm Compost and Marine Compost, organic Seed Starter mix and soils from Cardwell Farms Compost Products Inc. Available in bulk, totes and small bags. Delivery is available. Please call Jenn at 1-888-533-4078 or email jenn@cardwellcompost.com or visit www.cardwellcompost.com, Approved for Certified Organic Production by ACO.
For Sale: 1 metric tonne totes - Irish moss seaweed, finely ground for ease of spreading, apply as a soil amendment and micro-nutrient source, to grow healthier plants. $400.00 per tote. Also 1/2 ton totes $200.00. Contact Joe at 902-865-8961.
For Sale: Atlantic Topsoil & Compost has seafood waste compost made with softwood bark and peat moss. Qualifies for use in certified organic agriculture. N - 2.16; P - 1; K - .22; pH 7.9; Calcium 7.49. Certified Organic by Ecocert. Contact Gilles Dallaire, 506-743-3029, dallaireg@me.com, 1267 McNairn Rd, Kent County, Ste-Marie-de-Kent NB E4S 1X2
For Sale: Organic Barley, Oats and Wheat. Certified by ACO. Contact Murray at (506) 756-8261.
For Sale: Bulk Worm Castings from Growing Green Earthworm Castings. Contact us for pricing, either by phone at 902-663-2557/cell 902-749-7022 or by email at growinggreen@bellaliant.ca. For those who want smaller sizes please see our website or a store near you!
For Sale: Certified organic wheat, good protein, low vomatoxin, up to 70T available. Contact Phil at 902-218-0539 (PEI).
For Sale: Organic Buckwheat and Soybean Seed. Certified by OCIA. Telephone Maurice Girouard 506-856-0172 or e-mail: mgirouar@nbnet.nb.ca. |
3. Upcoming Events
October 8 Picaroons presents a Harvest Ale Celebration -Celebrating: Harvest Music, Harvest Food, Harvest Ales & Harvest People. Time: 5pm-8pm. Location: Charlotte St Arts Centre, Fredericton, NB. This is a free event, no admission is required, though participants will be encouraged to give donations to ACORN's Grow A Farmer Initiative! For more details, please join the Facebook event here.
October 12 Deadline for ACORN Conference Early-Bird Registration rate! This provides conference participants with a SIGNIFICANT discount off their registration fee, so don't miss this great opportunity! Register today at www.acornconference.org.
October 17 Please join Su Morin of the Ecology Action Centre & Seeds of Diversity, at the Sackville Community Garden for this Seed Saving Basics workshop. Workshop is free of charge. Please register ahead by contacting Su at su@ecologyaction.ca/ 902-251-2959 as space is limited.
October 26 ACORN/Grow A Farmer Workshop: FarmHack - Tools and Innovations for the Small-Scale Farm. Date & Time: Monday October 26th, 10am-4pm. Location: Salon C (next to the Cafeteria), Nova Scotia Community College, Truro Campus, 36 Arthur St., Truro, NS., B2N 1X5. Cost: $25 for ACORN Members or $40 for Non-Members. Register today as space is limited! For more information see here.
October 26-27 NB Food Security Action Network’s Bi-Annual Gathering. Join us for our 4th biannual Food Security Forum on the beautiful Miramichi. The Forum is packed with lots of exciting workshops, community conversations and keynote speakers. Registration is now open here and the Agenda is close to complete. See here for more details. For additional information, contact Rick Hutchins, rick@nbfsan-rasanb.ca.
November 1 FarmWorks Flavours at Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, NS. 5pm-7pm. For more details, please see here and get your ticket today!
November 4-8 Devour! The Food Film Festival will be held from November 4-8, 2015 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, five jam-packed days of film, food and wine! We will be serving up the latest from the world of culinary cinema, paired with wine tours, tastings, pop-ups, and industry sessions. Not to mention the fabulous gala dinners featuring renowned chefs celebrating the very best of local and international food and wine. DevourFest. Eat it up! For more details, see here. |
 Want to learn more about how to raise and process organic beef and/or pork? Click above and register today! |
November 12-14 Changing the Menu: National School Food Conference in Montreal, QC. For full details and registration information, please see here.
November 23-25 Register today for the 2015 ACORN Conference & Trade Show, taking place at the Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown, PE! Check out full details at www.acornconference.org!
November 23 The 2015 ACORN Conference Kick Off - Organic: From the Grain Up! at the Culinary Institute of Canada in Charlottetown, PE. Time: 7pm-10pm. For full details, please see here.
November 23 In partnership with the ACORN, Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia (FMNS) will host a full day of workshops for the farmers' market sector focusing on innovative ideas and best practices for market-based businesses. Experts: Michelle Wolf and TBD Date: November 23rd Location: 2015 ACORN Conference, Delta Prince Edward, Charlottetown, PEI.
December 7 & 8th ACORN/Grow A Farmer presents Ethical Meat Intensives with Meredith Leigh, author of the Ethical Meat Handbook. Day One: Ethical Beef and The Profitable Cattle Farm. Day Two: Ethical Pork and The Profitable Hog Farm. Location: Nova Scotia Community College, Akerley Campus, 21 Woodlawn Rd, Dartmouth, NS, B2W 2R6. Register today and spread the word! For full details, please see here.
December 7-9 ACORN's Organic Transition Service will facilitate a series of Cape Breton Area Kitchen Table Meetings in Baddeck, Sydney and Inverness. For more information, contact ACORN’s Organic Transition Coordinator at transition@acornorganic.org.
January 28-31, 2016 Guelph Organic Conference & Trade Show 2016! Where Farmers & Consumers Meet = We all choose organic ! 35th Annual Guelph Organic Conference & Trade Show 2016. For full more details, see here. |
 To kick off OrganicWeek, Think Canada Organic launched a video encouraging Canadians to Think Before They Eat. Click above to watch it! |
4. Organic News
Vote Organic
Source: The Globe and Mail
This feature was written by Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of Canada Organic Trade Association
We’re less than one month from election day in Canada, and it’s hard not to see even the smallest part of everyday life through a political lens.
The general election is a chance to reaffirm where we stand on issues of justice, health, the economy and the environment. But why wait every four years? The daily choices we make about the food we eat are some of our most profoundly political decisions.
Not all food has the same impact on the world. You have to ask: Where does this food come from? How was it made? What effect did it have on my community and the ecosystem?
Does it fight erosion, and the pollution of our soil and waterways? Does it support pollinators, biodiversity and the availability of seeds to farmers and future generations? Do you know the country, the region or, better yet, the farm, where it was grown? How does that farm treat its workers and are its animals raised humanely? What’s in your food: Was it grown with known carcinogens or synthetic fossil-fuel fertilizers? Does it contain artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or GMOs?
There are many confusing claims on food today that only tell part of the story. But organic is backed by federal regulation, overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Organic meets all food health and safety laws and is also inspected to national organic standards, making it the most regulated food in Canada.
When it comes to the real meaning behind the claim, organic is the gold standard for eco-conscious consumers.
It is time for Canada to re-imagine agriculture as something more than just a major trade sector that results in edible commodities. We need our policy-makers to think of food and farming as something that brings together agriculture, community, health and the environment.
Read the full article here.
A reminder to please consider signing Food Secure Canada's #EatThinkVote petition and spread the word! For full details, see here and show your support!
Click to view the full Globe and Mail Organic Week Insert here. |
Farming Innovation Driven By Community Needs
Source: The Globe and Mail
An exponential increase in demand for organic food products is driving a variety of innovative research projects in organic farming methods at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems.“People are increasingly aware of the personal and ecological benefits of organic food and organic farming sowe need to supply the next generation of farmers with the tools and expertise they need to be productive and profitable in this environment,” says Dr. Hannah Wittman, academic director at the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems.
Organic soil amendments are a particular area of interest. Soils eventually become depleted of the nutrients plants need, and researchers are looking for ways to replenish them with inputs that comply with organic certification. The university is also looking at different mulching materials – soil-surface barriers that act as both weed suppressants and water conservation tools. Another field of investigation is the organic seed varieties project charged with increasing the quality and quantity of disease- and pest-resistant seeds that can survive and thrive in the organic environment in the variable soil conditions found in different geographic locations.
Wittman adds that the university conducts its research at UBC Farm in collaboration with a variety of different stakeholders and partners, including growers, manufacturers, exporters and First Nations representatives. “They are important both in terms of project support and in identifying key challenges. They are the ones who are going to implement the technologies we develop,” says Wittman. “We are sensitive to what communities and industry need, and we try to provide solutions that meet the ideals of sustainability that our mandate requires.” She adds that a community of partners is investing generously to build UBC Farm’s capacity.
See here to read the full article. |
New Poll Shows Canadians are Highly Concerned About GM Foods and Want Mandatory Labelling
Source: CBAN
Ottawa, ON. A national Ipsos Reid poll commissioned by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) reveals 88 per cent of Canadians want genetically modified (GM) foods labeled on grocery store shelves. Of the over 1000 Canadians polled, over half oppose genetically modifying crops and animals to produce food.
“Our poll shows that Canadians have a range of concerns about genetically modified foods,” said Lucy Sharratt of CBAN. “The vast majority of Canadians who want labelling just want to know what’s in the food they’re eating. Canadians are also concerned about safety, the environmental impacts and some have ethical concerns about genetically modifying plants and animals.”
Since the first GM foods were approved for sale in Canada twenty years ago, polls have consistently shown that the overwhelming majority of Canadians want mandatory labelling.
The new poll comes as the world’s first GM food animal – a GM Atlantic salmon – is pending approval from Health Canada. “45 per cent of Canadians polled said they definitely don’t want to eat the GM fish, but without labelling how can they make this choice?” asked Thibault Rehn of Vigilance OGM.
Health Canada does not test the safety of any GM foods, but relies on data from companies that want to sell GM products to Canadians. Most data from these studies is not available to the public.
Read full press release here.
Greenhorn to Gardener: Celebrating Cross-Pollination
Source: The Chronicle Herald
This is another instalment of the Herald's "Greenhorn to Gardener" series, featuring commentary from aspiring farmer, Bernard Soubry.
Picking lettuce just after dawn, and something is strange.
It’s all familiar to me: cold hands, dew-strewn weeds, both knees in the dirt. But something’s different this time.
“The soil’s the wrong colour!” I shout, confused, to Rebecca, who’s picking mustard greens three rows over.
“It’s black!”
She laughs, looks over.
“Of course it is! What colour did you think it would be?”
“Red,” I almost reply, and then I remember. Right. I’m not in Nova Scotia anymore.
I’d almost forgotten. It takes a while to realize you’ve left. A month ago, I packed my overalls, took up my hat and left Abundant Acres for the valleys of Quebec, where my parents live.
I’m meant to spent this time among boxes and things, preparing for a master’s degree in England. But since I’ve been here, my hands have been twitching for my harvest knife. So I’ve called some farming friends and offered myself up: free labour for hire. Please feed.
And in the kindly way of farmers, they’ve all answered: Sure. Come on over.
Read the full feature here.
You can also read his previous feature–Bean There, Done That–here. |
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