Coordinated by the Northeastern Ontario New Farmer Network in partnership with FarmStart and the Ecological Farmers of Ontario, this weekend workshop runs from March 21-23, 2014 in Sudbury ON.
Workshops include composting, soil and weed management, as well as cover crops, season extension, and a discussion on forming a network for new farmers in Northeastern Ontario. Read more…
Location: British Columbia
Date posted: 2014-02-19
We create an exceptional learning environment committed to preparing learners for leadership, service and success
CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR (TIER II) – SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS – Competition Number 14-35
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) invites applications for a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Areas of expertise appropriate for this CRC include but are not limited to, agroecology and cropping/farm systems, field and protected vegetable crop production, agricultural economics and farm business management. The objective of the CRC program (http://www.chairs-chaires.gc.
It is anticipated that candidate selection will begin March 2014; the selected nominee’s application will be submitted to CRC on April 28 or October 14, 2014depending on the strength and capacity of the candidate. CRC award will be confirmed and an appointment made either October, 2014 or April 2015.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, originally established by the government of British Columbia in 1981 as a College, was designated a university in 2009. The University, with 16,000 FTES, has four campuses located in Metro Vancouver British Columbia and provides a unique regional university environment bridging urban, suburban and rural communities. Southwest British Columbia and the province on the whole is one of Canada’s most important and productive agricultural areas. The University offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations in over 135 programs. It is envisaged that Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, based at KPU’s Richmond campus, will constitute a signature program of the new polytechnic.
In September, 2012 the Bachelor of Applied Science- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems degree was launched. Its focus and curricular content is unique to North America and intends to prepare the builders and leaders of a sustainable 21st century agriculture food system foundational to sustainable society. The CRC will teach classes in this degree program. The CRC will also conduct applied research pertinent to agriculture and food systems in affiliation with the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (http://www.kpu.ca/isfs) the program’s research arm. A diverse team of agriculturists, economists, ecologists, planners and social scientists push the boundaries of agriculture and food systems research through multifaceted community and regional projects in western Canada. Applied research engages students, community and the food and farming sector at all stages, bringing together powerful partnerships in discovery and learning. Additionally, the University is in the process of establishing a research and teaching farm.
Applicants must have earned a PhD. in an appropriate field within the last 10 years, have a solid record of applied research, publication and outreach, demonstrated ability to generate research funding to support their research program, demonstrated success in collaborative research project work, and be prepared to lead and/or contribute to KPU agriculture teaching, research and outreach programming.
To apply, please submit a letter of application, four letters of reference, a maximum 2 page statement of your teaching/ education philosophy and indication of the kinds of agriculture/ food system classes you could teach, a maximum 2 page discussion of your research interests and a 5 year plan along with your current resume and a copy of post-secondary transcripts, quoting the competition number 14-35 by March 14, 2014 to: employ@kpu.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest in Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
However, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.
As frequent visitors to the site will know, the Nourishing Communities research partnership has been evolving since 2007, over the course of several projects. In response to input from our community partners, we are investigating a number of critical research issues that have emerged as potential avenues for improving the viability of community food initiatives: 1. land access for local / sustainable production; 2. innovative models of financing for community initiatives [distribution / processing / aggregation]; 3. strategies for tackling the tensions between food security and housing security; 4. opportunities to help farmers access sustainable local food markets; 5. supply management; 6. scale-appropriate regulation; and 7. institutional procurement.
Researcher Steve Piazza with corresponding authors Patricia Ballamingie and Peter Andrée have produced Food Access and Farm Income Environmental Scan, which aims to answer several questions:
What are the best strategies for tackling affordable access to local food in a way that still fairly rewards the producers of that food? How do we move beyond making local food a high-end, niche market for the rich? What are the initiatives in Eastern Ontario (or elsewhere) that do both – augment productive capacity and ensure viable incomes for farmers while also addressing access issues? Are these strategies specifically targeted at low-income groups, or based on universality (e.g. school breakfast programs)? What policies and incentives can be put in place to support these strategies at local and provincial levels? Are there policies that effectively hinder progress in this area?
Food Access and Farm Income Environmental Scan is the first in a series of working papers that will offer initial reflections on the research themes and results. These working papers will also give our community and practitioner partners and collaborators a chance to give feedback on the research, as well as some results that can be spread throughout their networks.
As one of the components of the project, “Healthy Food for All: Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems in Ontario”, a series of webinars are being offered to the public, inpartnership with HC Link. The purpose of these webinars is to increase the capacity of local communities to create and strengthen sustainable local food systems.
Below is a list of the webinars dates with links to descriptions and registration information:
Part 1: Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems
February 13, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
More information on webinar and presenter
Register here (Registration closes February 10 at 5:00 pm)
Part 2: Sustainable Food Systems in a Healthy Communities Lens
February 27, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
More information on webinar and presenter
Register here (Registration closes February 24 at 5:00 pm)
Part 3: Organizing to affect your Food System: Food Policy and Action Groups
March 13, 2014, 1:30 – 3:00 pm EST
More information on webinar and presenter
Register here (Registration closes March 11 at 5:00 pm)
For more information about the “Healthy Food for All” project, please visit http://www.ohcc-ccso.ca/en/
Gathering of Ontario’s Food and Farm Co-ops, February 25-26th
This year’s conference focus is on Co-op Wellness: Caring for ourselves and one another in order to sustain and grow successful, healthy and thriving food co-ops. This annual gathering is an incredible opportunity for you to meet the amazing people who own and operate food and farm co-operatives across Ontario, serving their communities fresh, local, sustainably produced and fairly traded food and creating space for meaningful participation and food citizenship. It is our chance to further a burgeoning movement in the province by getting to know one another in person, exchanging stories, and collectively making decisions about where we are headed. $100 registration.
Registration closes Friday February 14th.
The Historical Development of Agricultural Policy and Urban Planning in Southern Ontario
Joel Fridman
Couched between a west branch of the Humber River on one side and rows of houses on the other, in the heart of suburban Brampton just north and west of Toronto, sits 45 acres of prime, certified organic soil cultivated by 36 new farmers – 20 different farm enterprises in all. These 45 acres make up McVean Farm, one of two farms run by FarmStart, an organization based in Guelph, Ontario that seeks to support a new generation of farmers. Read more…
Thesis for Masters of Arts in Geography, Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies, Department of Geography and Program in Planning, University of Toronto
February 5, 2014 – Yellowknife, NWT – Office of the Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Minister for the Arctic Council
Minister Aglukkaq today announced funding for a project that will promote opportunities for employment and skills development training in both the traditional and industrial sectors of the Sahtú regional economy. With increased activity in the resource sector in the region, this project will focus on developing a diversified economy which benefits both traditional and industry sectors, ensuring that those hired in one sector are aware of opportunities in the other sector.
The two-year project is being led by the Sahtú Renewable Resources Board in partnership with local Renewable Resources Councils and the Government of the Northwest Territories Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Read more…
Find out more about Sahtú Gotı̨ch’ádı́ı – Wildlife of the Sahtú Region on our Facebook page.
May 13-30, 2014 at the Coady International Institute in Antigonish, Nova Scotia
Facilitators: Deborah Barndt, Selam Teclu
Food systems include the chain of activities and interactions from production to processing to distribution to consumption. Women are central to the global food system – as small scale farmers, salaried workers in agribusiness, markets and restaurants – and they are also the key leaders in grass-roots initiatives to create a more equitable and sustainable food system. This course will focus on roles different groups play in promoting community resilience through food systems that address interrelated issues of poverty, health, environment, gender, and racial equality. Read more…
From RUAF, issue 26 of Urban Agriculture is about seeking the right mix of subsidies, credit, savings, and resource mobilisation, while thinking about waste.
The latest version of the magazine (UA26) is available to download (pdf 3.1 MB)
Join us at our 10th annual Forum, as we explore the challenges of urban growth management and the protection of agriculture in Ontario’s near-urban farming communities, by asking:
• How permanent is farmland protection policy in Ontario?
• Are current policies effectively curbing sprawl and protecting agriculture?
• Can policy makers and community stakeholders work more collaboratively to improve farmland protection?
Learn from the experts, and share your concerns and recommendations to help inform the policy debate in advance of the 2015/16 Greenbelt & Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan reviews. Read more…
Join Raj Patel, Michael Pollan and co. this term at The Edible Schoolyard Project, as they present twelve lectures on the future of food, through conversations with leaders of the food movement around the world. Read more…
From NPR…
Lots of consumers are smitten with local food, but they’re not the only ones. The growing market is also providing an opportunity for less experienced farmers to expand their business and polish their craft.
and finally, from NYT
The average age of farmers keeps rising, and organic farmers are no exception. What happens to knowledge, and to a movement, when elders retire? How about mentorship..?
Read more…
…from the Greenbelt Fund:
Fresh, Healthy, Local Food Coming to Public Institutions in Thunder Bay
Thanks to the City, LA Quality Foods, and Belluz Farms
The Greenbelt Fund is awarding $210,000 in funding to support three innovative projects in Thunder Bay that will increase access to fresh, healthy, local food for the community.
With support from the Greenbelt Fund, and funding from the Ontario government, the City of Thunder Bay will provide more local food options for municipal and regional facilities including long-term care homes and daycares. LA Quality Foods has received funding to provide opportunities for beef farmers in Northern Ontario to extend the reach of their product and Belluz Farms will increase market opportunities for farmers in the Thunder Bay area.