|  The case of watermelons spontaneously exploding in Chinese fields made headlines recently. This coming weekend marks the annual Rural Romp in Wellington County – a county-wide food and farming open house of sorts. These two events are worlds apart, yet to me, they’re both part of the complex network our global food system has become.
Most Canadian farmers feel that agriculture is misunderstood and that the general public doesn’t “get” what they do. And they’re often a little amazed at how much people don’t know, especially about things that those of us in the food and farming world take for granted. How could they not know that oranges don’t grow in Canada, why we spray to control weeds and pests, and that there’s a season for sweet corn and peaches? My response to that is often the opposite – how could they possibly know when there’s little chance to learn? Continue reading People could use a little reconnecting to the farm  Royal wedding fever is ramping up as we inch closer to the long-awaited nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
I remember watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer back in 1981…the sheer pomp and circumstance of it all was like a magical fairy tale to my six year old eyes! In Canada, of course, we have a special attachment to all things royal, given that the Queen is our head of state and her image graces our coins, bank notes and stamps. One local farm in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is getting in on the excitement too. Continue reading A royal jam  You’re probably wondering what the connection could possibly be between condoms, food and farming.
At first glance, absolutely none – but the humour and the challenge in this little situation made it a bit too bizarre not to write about. As a blogger and freelance journalist, I receive pitches all the time from PR folks and product promoters, asking me to write about their issue, highlight their product or interview their experts. Ninety-nine per cent of these are absolutely not relevant to the content of this blog – no link to food, farming or Canada. The pitches vary in style, type and frequency but one I recently received was so out there in its lack of relevance that it really grabbed my attention. The product in question was a high end, eco-friendly luxury condom from France, being launched in the U.S. on National Condom Day (which apparently is today, February 10), conveniently a few days before that ultimate day of love, Valentine’s Day. Continue reading Food, farming and condoms  I’ve always had a special connection to Remembrance Day – ever since I was lucky enough to visit Vimy Ridge as part of a school trip when I was 16.
I have also been fortunate enough to participate in the national service in Ottawa one year when I was the Canada-wide winner of an essay writing contest sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion. But it was this past year that helped me reconnect most directly with Remembrance Day, Canada’s military history and the powerful stories of the men and women who have and continue to serve our country so valiantly. Continue reading In the fields of remembrance I’m not usually one for shameless self-promotion, but in this instance, I can’t help but share some very good news. I was totally thrilled to learn this past weekend that I was the winner of not one but two writing awards at the Canadian Farm Writers Federation (CFWF) annual banquet on Saturday night. Continue reading Awards from the Canadian Farm Writers Last year at this time, I wrote a post about the great salsa adventure. I had spent a full Saturday with three friends turning yummy Ontario tomatoes, onions and peppers into even yummier salsa. I also canned tomato sauce and tried various jam recipes. There’s so much great produce at this time of year and at [...]  Have you ever wondered what the world looks like through the eyes of animals?
I think about that sometimes when I watch my dog lie in the grass, seemingly engrossed in nothing. Growing up on a dairy farm, I was surrounded by cattle on a daily basis and I remember wondering that too when I’d watch them on the pasture or standing in the barn, staring at me as they were chewing their cud. Apparently I’m not alone – which is good to know. Continue reading Through the eyes of a cow | |
