The agricultural industry is a tough one. Farming consists of a significant amount of time, work and effort, and is unfortunately often times at the mercy of Mother Nature. This year has been exceptionally tough for members of the ag industry. Between COVID-19 and the setbacks and complications caused by it and a tremendously dry … More Have you thanked a farmer recently?
We’ve likely all heard the expression that dogs are man’s best friend. I’ve never experienced a point in my life during which our family hasn’t had a dog, and I can personally attest to the common expression stated above, considering our current pup, Jake, is quite literally my best friend. Despite the common knowledge that … More Man’s best friend: dogs or … pigs?
Food waste is a real shame for multiple reasons. Not only could the food in question being tossed or discarded be used to feed someone who could truly use it, but it’s a wasted effort of farmers, truckers, factory workers, food processing plants, and any other profession associated with the food industry. All in all, … More Turning food waste into food bank donations
If you’re a resident of Ontario, you’ve likely noticed that this past couple of weeks have been something out of a sci-fi film regarding the temperatures we are experiencing. With the humidity causing temperatures to feel like 40 degrees Celsius and higher, it’s a bit understandable if you’ve found yourself trying to come up with … More Hello, heatwave
Food waste, as we are all aware, is becoming a significant issue in contemporary society. Wasting food is a terrible practice to become involved with as it simply isn’t necessary, and further, it is incredibly detrimental in a variety of different industries aside from an environmental setting. It hinders the hard work of farmers and … More Banning food waste, one state at a time
Plastic straws, as we are all aware, really aren’t a great concept. Sure, they get the job done, but they’re also responsible for a significant amount of ocean and plastic pollution and further have claimed the lives of many animals who mistakenly ingest them. All in all, they’re not so great. Over the past couple … More Supporting farmers and the environment with paper straws
For those of us who reside in Canada, gardening becomes a central component of spring and summer activities once the weather warms up. Many people plant gardens in hopes of being able to abstain from having to purchase certain vegetables and instead providing for themselves, and honestly, gardening is an all-around great practice to engage … More Have you heard of winter gardening?
In the agricultural industry, temporary foreign workers are crucial. Their help is essential in producing a variety of crops here in Ontario, but furthermore across North America. Our migrant workers begin to arrive in April and continue to come in segments into July. Some leave in October, others in November and even December depending on … More Appreciating temporary foreign workers more than ever
In lieu of a couple of posts I’ve written about designating positives in a pretty shitty situation (aka the COVID-19 pandemic), I have yet another to share with you, thanks to an article I read via The Good News Network. “Amid lockdowns, people are eating healthier, cooking their own food, and consuming more fruit and … More Wasting less food throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Here in Ontario, the month of May typically means the arrival of fresh, local asparagus. It’s something I always look forward to as asparagus is one of my favourite veggies, and I imagine a lot of other folks can relate. The asparagus season is a brief one, and even more so this year. The frost … More Get your asparagus on
I mentioned in a post a little while ago that a lot of us are finding ourselves having to contribute a little more than usual to certain things in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Perhaps these contributions are voluntary, or maybe they’re mandatory, but either way, a lot of us have had to pick … More Gaining knowledge on the farm
The COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically altered all of our lives in different ways. Perhaps you’re finding yourself going stir-crazy being cooped up indoors, or maybe you’ve been told to work from home and are struggling to adapt to this adjustment. Regardless of how this pandemic has impacted our lives, I think a lot of us … More Stepping up during COVID-19
Oregano oil has been a staple in my household for quite some time now. And, quite honestly, for good reason. In my family, we typically make use of oregano oil to prevent or fight off illnesses in their early stages. We also take it while ill in an attempt to decrease the severity of whatever … More Do you use oregano oil?
There has been a tremendous push from the general public to recognize and celebrate individuals on the front lines that continue to work since the COVID-19 outbreak began. Doctors and nurses, factory workers, truckers and grocery store clerks are some of the professions that have been recipients of praise and gratitude throughout the pandemic we … More Why are we forgetting farmers on the frontlines?
I suppose I should begin this post with an explanation of what exactly endometreosis is, in case anyone is unfamiliar with the condition. Endometreosis “is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus … with endometriosis, … More Could THC be used to treat endometriosis?
Plants are kind of a big thing in my family. My mom has a tremendous green thumb and about 30 plants to boot, and my sister has quite a collection of her own. I’ve been trying to expand my plant repertoire, but I’ve always been somewhat hesitant to do so because of my tendency to … More Have you visited Terra greenhouses?
As many of us are aware, sweeteners aren’t the healthiest thing on the planet to consume. With many containing aspartame and other artificial additives, it’s likely better for your body in the long run to simply ingest regular sugar as opposed to Splenda, but that’s just my opinion. Things are looking up in terms of … More Transforming fruit cores into sweetener
When we think about what is involved to produce a crop, our thoughts typically go to soil, water and sunlight. These elements, in combination with care, equipment and labour, are core components of most types of farming, and without them, it would prove to be quite difficult to be successful in growing a crop. Something … More Growing crops with … mattresses?
Positive news is always appreciated, especially in the context of endangered and/or dwindling animal populations. An article from The Good News Network happens to fall into this category, and I figured I would share this happy news with all of you. This time, the good news has to do with an increase in fish stocks. … More Fish populations are on the rise
Advancements in the automotive world in terms of environmentally conscious transportation alternatives have been tremendous as of late. With electric cars, Teslas, and non-pollutant fuel options becoming more readily available, it’s never been easier to alter your wheels to be more eco-friendly. And, as it turns out, there may be another breakthrough fuel-oriented development that … More Powering cars with … seaweed?
I’ve been writing about environmental conservation efforts quite a bit as of late, and for good reason. It seems as though every time I visit The Good News Network for some topic inspiration, I see yet another tremendous advancement in the context of sustainability. And here we are again. This time, though, there’s tequila involved, … More Turning tequila into … straws?
For many farmers across Ontario, Autumn signifies a time during which things on the farm begin to slow down, depending on the crops being grown. And, for those farmers who are beginning to reduce their workload with the approaching colder weather, they’re likely getting ready to bid farewell to their employed migrant workers if they … More A tribute to migrant workers
October means go-time for any farmer who produces ginseng, which is exactly what my family and I have been doing for this past little while. Ginseng harvest typically happens in October, and for anyone who is unaware of what this type of harvest consists of, it involves digging up the root of the plant. A … More Finding treasures on the farm
I’ve been on a bit of a carrot kick lately. I’ve been trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet and cut back a little on my fruit intake, and, in the process, I’ve started eating carrots as part of my lunch every day. I’m aware of some of the benefits carrots offer to those … More Here’s why you should be eating more carrots
I would argue that a lot of people associate marijuana with hemp, and vice versa. It’s probable that those of us who aren’t familiar with the differences between these two plants also group them together in the same category, despite the fact that they’re entirely different from each other. “Following the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and … More Understanding the difference between marijuana and hemp
A couple of evenings ago, the Brant County Federation of Agriculture held its annual meeting at my family’s farm. It was a pretty neat experience considering it was the first agricultural meeting I’ve ever attended, and I was able to meet some new people involved in the industry that I hadn’t been familiar with prior. … More Are you an agvocate?
Perhaps before delving into how to make use of hemp oil, it would be beneficial to discuss what exactly it is. I wasn’t exactly sure of how to define the substance myself, so it’s fair to assume others may not be familiar with it, either. So, what is hemp oil? “Hemp oil is a nutty … More Here’s how to use hemp oil
To be passionate about something is, in my opinion, a privilege not all of us are privy to. Having the opportunity to find something that brings us true joy isn’t something we’re all fortunate enough to experience, but it really is an incredible concept. I’ve been thinking a lot about my own passions as of … More Exploring your passion
Before we delve into this topic, let’s take a look at what exactly CBD dabs are. “Dabbing is the practice of inhaling small quantities of concentrated vapors, typically cannabis products like hemp or marijuana, which can come in the form of wax,” an article originally published on Made By Hemp’s website. “The most commonly used CBD dabs are … More Navigating the pros and cons of CBD dabs
Lavender is what I like to refer to as a super plant. Most of us are aware of the fact that lavender is a fantastic option for people who deal with insomnia and/or anxiety, but it’s also an incredible ingredient to incorporate into a variety of culinary creations. Until I began working at Bonnieheath Estate … More Here’s how to cook with lavender
ontheedgeofeverything 