Treherne Times news article - Think local presentation in Swan Lake, MB
In February, I participated in a number of conferences and sessions. The first, on February 2nd in Swan Lake, was hostd by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and focused on the Harvest Moon Local Food Initiative and the process of starting a related project in your own locale (Poster). The next was in Winnipeg at the Growing Local, Getting Vocal conference on grassroots solutions to the global food crisis. I also participated as a facilitator in a workshop on Community-University research partnerships. I also had the pleasure of participating and presenting as the last speaker at the Direct Farm Markeing Conference in Brandon. Finally, I participated in the PrioNet conference in Edmonton, Alberta to discuss the need for research that contributes to a better of how farm families adapt to BSE. This research can generate knowledge, while at the same time facilitate real-world adaptation. (more…)
These two posters were presented at the PrioNet annual scientific meeting in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The first describes the preliminary findings of our study on Farm Household adaptation to the BSE or Mad Cow Crisis in the Canadian Prairies. The second explores direct marketing as one such adaptive response.
This annual newsletter has been created as an update for individuals who have interacted with this suite of research projects as an interviewee, advisor or interested citizen. Read the attached pdf document to learn about past research and plans for the future. I welcome your feedback or questions
Farm to Fork Research Newsletter
Over the last week, I have become inspired. As part of a research trip for the University of Manitoba, I have been traveling the prairies with two companions interviewing good folks doing good things. Being immersed in social and ecological issues constantly can be about as uplifting as cheering for the Leaf’s during the playoffs (when they make it), so it is nice to get recharged from a new generation of farmers. The centralization and mechanization of agriculture has driven most rural residents to urban centers. Canada has become a heavily urbanized country – about 80% of people live in cities and only 2% of folks are farmers. On the prairies, this trend has led to major social issues for small towns such as school closures, health care inaccessibility and importantly, loss of traditions. The culture of small prairie farms and cooperation has been replaced by industrial ‘farms’ where monocrops of 10, 000 acres are not unheard of. However, a new generation of farmers and thinkers is emerging on the prairie landscape. The new model focuses on small farms producing food in a traditional manner. Market gardeners are immensely popular in urban centers where freshness and superior taste appeal to not only local food eaters, but also elders and chefs. Rather than considering themselves innovative, market gardeners see themselves as preserving a skill that was once commonly held. Also, pastured livestock production has become revived for both health and taste. Pastured livestock are fed and finished on grass, with less emphasis on grain feeding. The fats of animals feed on grasses are higher in omega-3 acids and grass systems require less input from the farmers – therefore there are less costs and chemicals. The animals take longer to reach market weight, but the higher meat quality results in greater profits for the farmers in a local market. Importantly, these farmers are not working in isolation. Rural-urban linkages have created conscientious cooperation and these folks are marketing together, rather than working in isolation. Interestingly, these traditional farming practices are being reintroduced by ‘back to the land’ urbanites that have lost interest in the ‘rat race.’ These individuals have found that working the land has fulfilled them emotionally, spiritually and physically more than any job could. While not solving all the world’s problems, it is a start. Perhaps the best things we can do is support these new farmers and start to relearn the traditions ourselves. -Written by Dave Vasey
On Saturday, June 21, Colin Anderson will be traveling across Western Canada to interview, video and learn from farmers, farm leaders and community activists engaged in alternative ways of moving food from farm to fork. This 12 day tour will take Colin along with his research partner Dave Vasey through Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. This string of interviews is a part of a larger video/action research project that will ultimately result in the development of a 45 minute documentary research video about grassroots solutions to the farm/food crisis. Click here for more information.
