Yet more evidence is trickling out about consumers’ upbeat perceptions of farmers. And not surprisingly, once again, it’s good. This time the source is food consultant to the Royal Winter Fair, popular dietitian Lois Ferguson of Eating For Ecstasy fame. She’s released results of a survey conducted with more than 1,400 fairgoers last November, which... Read More
Category: Food
Are you up to speed on the Chipotle restaurant controversy? Briefly, Chipotle, a Mexican grill chain, teamed up with Academy Award-winning Moonbot Studios to create a sappy but incredibly popular animated video that takes a mean-spirited and unprovoked shot at commercial-scale agriculture. It’s become an internet phenomenon, drawing six million viewers over the past couple... Read More
We have run many different stories and interviews talking about the need to be an agricultural advocate in the past. I hear from many readers that they feel being a advocate for agriculture is a complete waste of time and not a practical role for a farmer. Just watch the below video being promoted by... Read More
I've been thinking a lot about consumer awareness and needs, as the movement to "tell your [ag] story" continues to grow. I have concerns with some of the messages I've seen, and some I once felt compelled to give. I've heard again and again that consumers must be aware of where their food comes from.... Read More
It's officially back to the grind for the RealAg team, which means Shaun Haney and Lyndsey Smith sat down for another edition of the Most Serious 10 to 15 Minutes in Ag News — Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down. In this episode, Shaun and Lyndsey discuss how junk food is still junk food, even if it's... Read More
I think every farmer is tired of reading about activists saying agriculture is making Canadians unhealthy, especially when the opposite is true. From what I read and hear, it’s sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary choices that are leading to alarming rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, not the crops and livestock that ultimately become... Read More
As a result of the international Youth Ag Summit, hosted in Calgary, Alberta, a global committee on food security has been formed. The executive (pictured below) is comprised primarily of youth volunteers and will spear-head the continuation of the summit's discussion around food security. As a part of the Summit's agenda, delegates and mentors were... Read More
Editor's note: This is a special guest editorial from Kim McConnell, founder of AdFarm. The following was shared with his team at AdFarm after a week at the Youth Ag Summit, held last week in Calgary. This past week, I had an opportunity to participate in an amazing experience. I moderated the week-long Global... Read More
You’ve already heard a little bit about the Youth Ag Summit and my second Breakfast Television appearance (the first involving less talk, more dance). I have a little over an hour to try to drum together some of the happenings here at the summit, before we are shuffled back into presentations, sessions, breakout groups and... Read More
Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz, was on hand at Airdrie Alta., yesterday to announce news of $14 million in funding for the Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster under Growing Forward 2. The Agriculture and Agri-Food (AAFC) funding supports strategic research that will drive the efficiencies that enable producers to realize continuous improvements, while enhancing overall... Read More