I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but in case I haven’t, allow me this opportunity to inform you all that Blaine works on his family’s cattle farm. It’s a beef operation, meaning the cattle aren’t exclusively Holstein for producing milk; rather, these cows are a variety of breeds and are raised for consumption. Being … More Let’s make homemade hamburgers
Temporary foreign migrant workers are an absolutely essential component of the Canadian economy and our supply and demand chain when it comes to agriculture. Workers from various geographical locations travel to a foreign country annually for a significant duration of time to assist with farm work and the agricultural industry, and truthfully, we would not … More Another year, another goodbye
I think it is safe to say that I’ve been on a bit of an animal roll as of late, but I’m quite content covering this material. Animals are truly wonderful beings, and I think more of us could benefit from learning about specific creatures from time to time to broaden our minds and knowledge … More Get your pig on
I love cows, and, to be fair, I don’t think I’ve met anyone who isn’t a fan of these gentle beasts. I’ve always liked cows, but my appreciation for them definitely increased once I met Blaine as he happens to be a beef farmer. I’ve learned a shit load about cattle through Blaine, and I’ve … More Let’s talk about cows
Chickens have been in my life for quite some time now. When my sister and I were younger, one of our responsibilities on our family farm was to collect eggs from our laying hens, provide them with feed and water, and muck out their coop when needed. We had laying hens for a few years, … More How well do you know chickens?
A few days ago, I slept in. This happens to the best of us, but because I could literally sleep through a bloody hurricane, it tends to happen to me more often than I would like it to. One of my responsibilities with the farm is work affiliated with our poultry barn, which includes walking … More The consequences of projecting
So far, this year has not been one for the books in terms of farming. It’s been shit, to put it plainly, and looking at the long-term forecast, things aren’t improving anytime soon. Depending on crops, growing seasons and periods differ for farmers here in Ontario, as well as everywhere else in the world. Some … More Enjoy eating? Read this
I am damn proud to say I come from a farm. I have lived on my family’s farm for my entire life, and I’ve been working on the farm since I was about 11-years-old. I realize that might sound a little jarring to anyone who doesn’t have familiarity with farming and farm families, but we … More Advice from a farm girl, to farm girls
I think it is safe to say that the majority of families involved in agriculture work with each other. This is an observation I have garnered over the years through chatting with other folks who work in farming, and a vast majority of those of us who work in the farming industry work alongside family … More The reality of working with family
If I really wanted, I could keep this post quite short and simply state that being a woman in the agricultural industry isn’t ideal. I could even be so bold to say, with complete honesty, it sucks. But, that would be a very generalizing description, and I think it may be more beneficial if I … More The reality of being a woman in the agricultural industry
Dandelions are like the gift that just keeps on giving. I knew these guys were versatile in terms of what they can be used for, aside from an unwanted lawn fixture, but I guess I wasn’t aware of just how many uses this weed offers. I found an article courtesy of The Good News Network … More Making rubber with … dandelions?
Farming, I hope we are all aware, is one of the most significant professions in existence in terms of what it helps to achieve. Without farmers, there wouldn’t be a whole hell of a lot of anything; they produce food and crops to feed the world, to create materials and other resources, and, they’re some … More PSA: farmers need our help
This past Thursday evening, my family and I reluctantly said goodbye to three of our seasonal migrant workers before they headed to Toronto Pearson Airport to catch a flight to go home to Mexico. I say reluctantly because as happy as we are for these men that they are able to return home and see … More The reality of saying goodbye to seasonal migrant workers
As of late, I would argue that the concept of ‘farm to table’ meals has gained tremendous popularity. Perhaps this stems from a desire from the general public to have a better understanding of how and where food is produced and prepared, and if so, I think an increase in this meal concept is a … More Looking for a unique dinner experience? Check out Thrive Norfolk
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?
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
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
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
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?
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?
The thought of working alongside family members is, for some people, terrifying. I’ve spoken with numerous individuals who positively refute the concept of working with family, their reluctance to do so typically being a result of their fear of clashing with their loved ones. If I’m being realistic, working with your family can get a … More The reality of working with family
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
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?
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
ontheedgeofeverything 