|  Farmers are looking at many different solutions for dealing with rising energy costs. For one greenhouse grower, the answer lies with a new technology, a thermal blanket installation, which is expected to lower his energy costs by about one-third.
Gerard Schouwenaar of Orchard Park Growers, a St. Catharines-area flower producer, retrofitted a 30,000 sq ft greenhouse in the fall of 2009 with the technology—also called a thermal curtain—as a
way of combating rising energy costs and he’s very satisfied with the results.
Continue reading Thermal blanket helps lower greenhouse energy costs  The federal government has developed a series of suggestions for Canadians to be more environmentally conscious.
The tips – listed on a website called Take Action for the Environment – cover a variety of areas, but some of them, in my opinion, come directly from agriculture and represent things that farmers have been doing for years. For example: Continue reading Take action for the environment – by learning from farmers  It has a long and proud history – and now, seemingly, also an exciting future that may help make a green industry even greener by solving some major issues facing Canada’s horticultural sector.
The new Vineland Research and Commercialization Centre is what is evolving out of the old horticulture research station once run by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) at Vineland, bringing with it a new focus on industry-driven research, business development and commercialization. Continue reading Making a green industry greener 
There are more ways to buy local than just food. This Valentine’s Day, why not try fresh Ontario flowers? The perfect example, say Ontario flower growers, are potted miniature roses – ideal for the upcoming Valentine’s occasion. Continue reading Buying local for Valentine’s Day 
A tomato is a tomato, right? Well, yes, but also definitely no says a Leamington area greenhouse grower. Dean Tiessen of Pyramid Farms introduced a group of budding chefs to the breadth and depth of tomatoes on a recent tour of his farm by St. Clair College culinary students.
Continue reading Talking tomatoes  People and innovation.
Those are the keys to running a successful farming business, says grower Gerry Rochon. The Edwards ON-area farmer recently hosted Ottawa area food writers and home economists on his farm as part of ongoing efforts by AGCare and the Ontario Farm Animal Council to debunk myths related to food and farming.
Continue reading To every food there is a season  Ottawa area foodies – media, chefs, instructors and home economists – had a chance to get a first hand glimpse into food production and agriculture as they visited two local farms yesterday.
The tour was hosted jointly by AGCare and our sister group, the Ontario Farm Animal Council, and attracted about 20 participants.
Continue reading Foodies on farm tour | |
