The Rural Voice - September 2023

Rural Voice September 2023

The

THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE ... $2.50 PM 40037593

KNEE DEEP IN FLOWERS Growing flowers is more profitable than cash cropping at Black Creek Flower Farm

CREATING THE QUEENS Larvae destined to be worker bees are transformed into queens at Huckleberry Hives

SURVIVING BEE-MAGEDDON When bees are producing well, so are the varroa mites

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Contents The

Rural Voice THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE

Published monthly by: The Rural Voice, Box 429, Blyth, Ontario, N0M 1H0 Telephone: 519-523-4311 Fax: 519-523-9140 E-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca Website: ruralvoice.ca Publisher: Deb Sholdice

16

Editor: Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot rveditorlisa@northhuron.on.ca

24

28

Columns

SEPTEMBER 2023

Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Keith Roulston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Kate Procter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Jeffrey Carter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Mabel’s Grill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Viewpoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Gardening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Woodlots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Agrilaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Departments Ruralite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Advice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Business Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Newsletters

National Farmers Union . . . . . . . . . .66 Perth County Pork . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Grey County Federation . . . . . . . . . .68 Bruce County Federation . . . . . . . .69 Perth County Federation . . . . . . . . . .70 Huron County Federation . . . . . . . . .72

• Cover Photo Laura Barker, Sebringville Photo by Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot

Contributing writers: Keith Roulston, Kate Procter, Jeffrey Carter, Rhea Hamilton Seeger, Arnold Mathers, Donna Lacey, Melisa Luymes, Anne Mann, Carolyn Crawford, Bonnie Sitter, Jeff Tribe, Amanda Brodhagen and Hetty Stuart

• Deadlines: Oct. Issue – Sept. 12

Advertising Sales: Shelley Kroes rvads@northhuron.on.ca

16 Bee-mageddon

Production co-ordinator & Telemarketing: Joan Caldwell

November Issue – October 10

How to prevent massive hive deaths is part of the focus of the new Honey Bee Research Centre

20 Huckleberry Hives Jodi Roth breeds queens using the Cloake method with great success

24 Cut Yourself a Bouquet Laura Barker expands the U-pick, retail store and workshop experiences at Black Creek Flower Farm

28 Indigenous Cuisine

Chef Zach Keeshig is reinventing Indigenous cuisine at his Owen Sound pop-up restaurant

Advertising & editorial production: Dianne Josling PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40037593 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 429, BLYTH ON N0M 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca Subscriptions: $25 (12 issues) $45 (24 issues), includes HST Back copies $2.75 each.

Make cheques payable to: NORTH HURON PUBLISHING CO.

36 Perennial Flip Flop Know when to move, remove, tie and support perennials

56 Swine Vet Wins Prize Dr. Hannah Jansen is this year’s winner of the Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week award

All manuscripts submitted for consideration should be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial content may be reproduced only by permission of the publisher. The Rural Voice makes every effort to see that advertising copy is correct. However, should an error occur, please notify The Rural Voice office within 30 days of invoicing in order to obtain a billing adjustment.

NH

ORTH URON

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A division of North Huron Publishing Company Inc.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

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“

Ruralite If I have space, I feel it is my

”

responsibility to have a pollinator patch when keeping bees on a small-scale commercial level. ~ Jodi Roth of Huckleberry Hives on beekeeper’s responsibilities. Story on page 20

Word Fun

● My friend Jack says he can communicate with vegetables.

That’s right, Jack and the beans talk ● I want to tell you about a girl who only eats plants.

You probably have not heard of herbivore. ● Six cows were smoking joints and playing poker.

The steaks were pretty high. ●Ran out of toilet paper, now using lettuce leaves.

Today was just the tip of the iceberg. Tomorrow romaines to be seen.

September Inspiration “When harvests are exuberant, joy and health follow in their train; but let delusive prosperity draw industry from agriculture; let an insidious disease attach one of its important products; let an insect or parasite fasten on a single esculent, and mark the effect upon commerce and human life. Upon such an event, all business is deranged. ~E.H. Derby

•

The Flip Side “The flip side is when bees are reproducing well, mites are reproducing well too.” ~ Paul Kelly on bee health and research to be conducted at Honey Bee Research Centre at the University of Guelph See page 16

Humour • Nurse came in and said, “Doc, there’s a man in the waiting room who thinks he’s invisible. What should I tell him? Doc says, “Tell him I can’t see him today.”

▪ There was huge fight at a seafood restaurant. The police were called out and their report noted there was battered fish everywhere.

•

Neil’s One-Liners (Wisdom from McGavin Files)

Queen-to-be

When fed royal jelly inside a queen cell, a larva will turn into a queen bee. The process is emulated by queen bee breeders such as Jodi Roth of Huckleberry Hives, who supplied this photo.

See page 20

● We all worry about what other people think. If only we knew how little other people thought about us, we would not have to worry.

•

September 2023 3

Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot Lisa B. Pot is editor of The Rural Voice, and farms in Huron County

The seat of sadness...

W

ay back when stories for The Citizen newspaper and Rural Voice were cut out with exacto knives, waxed, and laid out on the page, there was the team of Dianne Josling and Joan Caldwell typing out all the material on these giant typeset machines. They worked side by side, every single day. I was just a teen back then but I can still picture it in my mind as something special though perhaps I did not recognize it at the time.

Years later, I returned to the offices of North Huron publishing and there was Dianne and Joan, still sitting side by side, laughing and supporting each other. Many years passed while I was out of the picture for a while to have a bunch of babies and work at the Ontario Farmer. In my 40’s I returned to North Huron Publishing and what did I find — Dianne and Joan, sitting side-by-side, working away for the company.

Work mates and the best of friends, seeing this pair bolster each other all these years has just done my heart good.

They are loyal, creative, hard-working, dependable women .... real backbones of this publishing company.

So it was a shock to the system when Dianne announced her retirement. Man, we cried! She 100 per cent deserves it and I hope Dianne loves the extra time to spend with her family. But oh, to see that empty chair beside Joan is hard to take. When I have a problem that needs fixing with software or design, Dianne is the go-to person. She has a wicked sense of humour and while she doesn’t love to write, that woman can certainly weave a tale with spoken words. Dianne grew up on a farm and her years doing the Markets, Agri-law and Federation pages means she probably knew as much about agriculture as anyone. Dianne worked for this company her whole life and that kind of loyalty is priceless.

All the best, Dianne. Know that no one will be able to replace your spot ... right beside Joan.

... and creating a seat for a transformative performance

C

hange in the company made me ponder change in Left behind are tiny eggs that hatch into voracious striped general and nothing represents the positive aspect of caterpillars who then weave a stunning cocoon noted for change more than the metamorphisis of a caterpillar it’s band of gold. Even though we know the ending of this to a butterfly. particular performance, taking a seat to watch this show Gardening is a passion of mine and like most gardeners never ceases to amaze. Growing native plants and who play in the soil, we ponder our role in the natural renewing our connection the natural world is a positive world. change.

Many organizations are adopting the “One Health” approach which integrates the health of My mistake nature, people and wildlife though a single lens.

This connection invites y apologies to the recipe columnists, both of whom us to partner with nature are so good! The August recipes column was written and set the stage for a and photographed by Carolyn Crawford, not Anne stunning backyard Mann. Also, I mixed up all the foundation names in the John performance.

Grace fund article. Phil Beard wrote this to clarify the name Milkweed — and focus of the fund: “The John Grace Environmental Fund common, swamp and is administered by the Goderich Lions Club not the Maitland butterfly milkweed — Conservation Foundation (MCF). The money is raised by the are three of the main Lions club through their own fundraising efforts. players in my native The Goderich Lions Club is making a donation to the MCF perennial beds. so that the funds can be used by the Maitland Valley Gorgeous plants with Conservation Authority (MVCA) to naturalize flood plains, their sunset hues, they river valleys and to buffer watercourses with native trees, attract Monarch buttershrubs and plants. The MCF and MVCA are two separate flies to feed before corporate bodies. The MCF is a registered charity established resuming their journey. to raise funds for projects undertaken by MVCA.” ◊

M

4 The Rural Voice

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Keith Roulston Keith is former publisher of The Rural Voice.

He lives near Blyth, ON.

Farmland’s value underestimated One of the stories you are most apt to see on television any day of the week is about the high cost of groceries. If people think it’s bad now, wait a few years as our soaring population causes us to pave over thousands of acres of farmland to accommodate new residents.

The federal government has increased immigration to meet a greater number of job vacancies, especially because more and more people are retiring. Meanwhile the provincial government keeps taking land out of the Greenbelt around Toronto, so there’s room for these new residents to find a home.

Meanwhile the cost of rental housing in Toronto skyrockets so that many

people must sleep in the streets because they can’t afford the rent.

Both governments are headed by urban-oriented leaders. Like the majority of our citizens, for them food has always been there – and they think, always will be. We have lived in a world of plenty when it comes to food. We grow a huge amount and augment it with enormous amounts imported from elsewhere to the south.

But you can’t continue to have the population boom and feed people on thousands of fewer acres each year.

And ignoring the problem year after year, as our leaders – federal and provincial – have been doing, is only going to make the issue worse.

Most of Canada is not blessed with bountiful farmland as southern Ontario is. New urban development could be accomodated around North Bay, Sudbury or Sault Sainte Marie without endangering the future of our food supply, but it’s easier to direct immigrants to Toronto, London and Windsor and pave more foodgrowing land for their housing.

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greater ignorance about rural life and it’s benefit to urbanites by growing the food they need, that comes with a decline in rural influence. Like many things in life, when you have a lot of something, you take it for granted.

As long as there’s food in the store, the only thing people worry about is the price – which they always think is too expensive.

In the half-century I’ve covered the farm scene. I’ve witnessed the decline of the farm voice. When I went to the local Federation of Agriculture’s MPs/MPPs dinner in the early 1970s, there were two provincial representatives. Now there’s one, and she covers half of Bruce County as well as Huron.

Of course in those days, there was also a farm family with three or four kids on most farms. On our road now, nearly all the houses have been separated from land farmed by large operators who grow crops on thousands of acres. Even where the family farm remains, usually the farmer is nearing retirement.

Back in the 1960s when I was just becoming aware of the local newspaper scene, most newspapers were run by people who spent part of the week doing printing and the rest of the week publishing the local newspaper. Changing printing technology led many to sell their newspapers to a chain publisher with a big rotary press that could print many newspapers in a 24-hour period rather than one over several days of printing on an old flat-bed press.

But the new publishers got old and sold their newspapers and presses to larger, urban-based publishers who were confronted by readers who depended on newspapers less for news. Newspapers cut staff and coverage, and therefore attracted even fewer readers.

While the decline of local newspapers does not affect the food supply, I fear the lessons we can learn are apt. While life can go on without local news coverage it will mean even less attention paid to the farm scene. Less attention means taking the food we have for granted and not understanding that if we lose farmland we can soon be short of food. And then the land is gone and can’t be replaced.◊

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Kate Procter Kate farms, hikes, canoes, and plays guitar in Huron County.

Eleven days was not enough It is good, every once in a while, to take a road trip if you are able. It gives a very real reminder of just how vast Canada is. You can easily drive for over 20 hours and never leave Ontario! Not only are the distances huge, but there is such a variation in landscape, topography, and even what goes on in various places. You don’t have to drive far to go from the beach, to fertile farmland, to the city, to rocks and trees.

This summer, we were able to take an amazing road trip – one dreamed of for many years – to Newfoundland. Between the drive to get there and driving around on the island, we put over 8,000 kilometres on my vehicle.

As we drove, I came up with a few “Kate’s Rules for a Happy Road Trip”. The first one being, take a paper map. While we had a map of Newfoundland, I was a bit focused on that and neglected to think about our route to get there, which took us through Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

I have to admit – I love my guidance system. It is so great to be able to type in your address and have it automatically calculate the distance and the time it takes to get there. I used it extensively when planning the trip – to try and make sure that our daily drives were manageable and that we had a place to stay for each night that we were on the road. It is also great if you are driving by yourself and can’t read a map and drive at the same time.

Usually, Apple Maps is very good and takes me exactly where I want to go. It will even reroute around, or at least let me know about, road construction. However, on this trip, it failed on a couple of occasions and 8 The Rural Voice

we kind of became those people we all roll our eyes about who follow their GPS systems into lakes or wilderness areas.

In one case, we found ourselves in the middle of nowhere in Quebec.

True, there was construction. But there was only one way to our destination – and that was through it.

But the Apple Map app took us off our route – twice! It was quite insistent that it knew better and we had to get off the Trans Canada Highway (TCH). We were highly suspicious – but we thought maybe we were being directed down a small parallel road and would eventually end up back on the TCH after we passed the construction area. We followed the directions, going down smaller and smaller roads until we came face to face with a sign indicating the way forward was an ATV trail. “For 16 kilometers, continue straight!” the voice from the app chirped optimistically.

We were preparing to turn around, when someone in a beat-up Toyota Echo pulled up alongside us, and asked in very broken English, where we were headed. Through sign Ontarions make up 80 per cent of the tourists who travel to Newfoundland to see sites such as ice bergs and the largest puffin colony in North America at the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve

language and a few words we could both understand – he directed us back the way we had come. But obviously doubting our abilities to navigate that, he gave up and just led us back to the TCH. We had a good laugh about the whole situation – and appreciated the friendly soul in the middle of the Quebec bush who cared enough to help us out. At our next opportunity, we picked up paper maps for both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Once in Newfoundland, we came across the statistic that tourists from Ontario make up over 80 per cent of the tourists who come there. I can’t remember the exact number – but it made me feel like I must be one of the few Ontarians who had never been there. Since I really had no idea about the island at all, I used the Newfoundland government’s very handy website, located at https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.c om/ to help with trip planning. It provided several different itineraries, recommended places to stay, and had contact information for them. It gave us a good starting point, and we travelled every day of our stay, with

the idea that we could at least see a lot of the island and have a better idea of where we might like to spend more time if we ever get the chance to come back.

This strategy did give us a very good overview of the island – we travelled from the ferry terminal in Port Aux Basques, through Gros Morne National Park, to the northern tip of the island at L’Anse Aux Meadows, then back south and east, eventually ending up in St. John’s, before heading back to Port Aux

Basques to catch the ferry home.

Every day brought a new adventure and every small town we stopped in seemed very different from the last.

On our way to St. John’s, we ventured off the TCH and stayed several nights on one of the many “fingers” of land that head off the island. We saw the sights that Newfoundland is famous for – whales, icebergs, and puffins, but we also saw things that were off the main track. I was surprised at how easy it was to find ourselves in places

where there were no other tourists at all. In spite of all we saw and learned, we occasionally met up with other travelers who told us of things they had seen and experienced – and we realized we had barely scratched the surface.

Our trip to Newfoundland was an amazing experience — I am extremely grateful for the time we had there and the things we learned. I think our list of things we want to do if we go back is longer than the list of things we felt we had adequately

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Jeffrey Carter Jeffrey is a freelance journalist based in Dresden, Ontario.

A dog’s tail: Blackie’s revenge In the time of 100-acre farms in Ontario, families usually kept a dog or two. Ours was no different.

I remember four. A faint remembrance of Underpants, a blonde lab perhaps, named by my older sisters for the look of its posterior as it shambled along the lane. There was a puppy, too, a little bundle of fur with bright dark eyes that lasted but a day, falling victim to a tethered dry cow settling herself down for the night.

Patches was the elder dog as I remember her, a rough-coated border collie of red and white with keeneyed intelligence while Sponger the younger, named for taking that object from the bucket used to wash the cows’ udders, was large yet lean, part German shepherd for sure by the colouring of his coat.

Sponger was always father’s dog and Patches her own. Together they would deal with some of the woodchucks on the pastureland though I suspect Sponger was only a hindrance in this matter. I saw Patches in action once. She spotted the creature, not far from the edge of the woodlot, came to an abrupt stop and then proceeded with incremental steps, lowering her profile in the process. Some minutes later a dash and sudden violence, the woodchuck gripped by the throat and flipped, betrayed by the bulk of its clover-fat body.

Of their sport following a successful hunt I will not speak.

Suffice to say it was an odorous play.

Patches was also a useful companion who would fetch the cows from the pasture for milking. I

10 The Rural Voice

too had that job but unlike the dog, was far less successful. The cows would divide themselves into two groups, perhaps led by the instruction of the lone, three-teated Guernsey in the herd. Progress could be made in driving one group forward but the second would linger and when I turned back to bring them forward as well, the others would return to their original position, and so back and forth I’d stride and, from the corner of my eye, I swear I could see that Guernsey grinning.

When I began moving beyond the farm’s boundaries, Patches would follow me at a discreet distance, keeping to the ditch as I biked up the road to the bridge that ran over the creek where the fishes lay sheltered from the summer’s heat in a shadowed pool. I thought I was alone and there she appeared, paddling across the creek, buoyed by her thick coat and extended tail, my guardian angel.

One never messed with Patches, neither human nor fellow canine. Her eating bowl was sacrosanct and never did I remember an altercation with other dogs.

For Sponger, it was a different matter. The two dogs from down the road and up the hill had him in their sights.

Mickey was the eldest, a muscular specimen, square-jawed with a blaze of white across an otherwise black coat, a dog that moved with an easy, confident trot.

Blackie was another collie, a rare allblack specimen and tailless since an encounter with a pickup along the road. He resembled a little black bear, capable of hurtling down the road at tremendous rate – fastest dog in the neighbourhood.

The two lived on an expansive, iron-scored, rocky clay knoll around which the creek curled through the flats where the tall corn grew. There was built the most modest of modest farms in the neighbourhood. It was a square stone house with a plywood stoop and open loft, aging bank barn and outbuildings in various stages of decay.

The herd of dairy cows having been dispersed, Mickey and Blackie amused themselves by defending their turf. Salesmen braving the plank

bridge and the rutted lane beyond that rose sharply between two lines of old, fat maples to the farmstead above exited their vehicles with care and trepidation, if they left them at all.

A snowplow operator who had been waging a war on the mailbox at the end of the lane at every passing once stopped and moved to the rear of the machine to survey the damage.

There he was confronted by Blackie’s fury and scrambled back to his cab, the seat of his pants in ribbons.

Mickey and Blackie observed the rich green of the neighbouring farm from the height, noting the new arrival, a lanky young creature not yet fully grown. Of Patches they were long familiar. She was avoided, out of a grudging respect, perhaps, for a queen in her declining years.

Their attitude toward Sponger, though, was a different matter. A foolish dog, they reckoned, naïve and young, in need of a lesson.

The confrontation came following the harvest of the first cut of hay.

Patches was nowhere in sight, likely sunning her aging bones in a quiet sunlit place. Sponger was there to investigate the visitors, a slight hesitancy in his step.

Mickey ambled forward, ruff bristling, and then launched himself forward, teeth bared. It might have gone differently if it had been just the two of them. Sponger, though still months away from full strength, responded instinctively, his lean form lunging in turn, jaws snapping, joining the staccato dance, each seeking purchase.

That’s when Blackie came on, attacking from the rear with strategic darts, white teeth snapping, forcing Sponger beneath a hay wagon, his head slamming to the boards above, again and again.

“That’s enough! Mickey, go home! Blackie, go home!”

Mickey and Blackie, turned about, trotted away with barely a backward glance, tongues lolling.

The two boys from the hill were pleased, and spoke of the battle, the strategic value of Blackie’s attack, of Mickey’s brave frontal approach, and of Sponger’s inability to counter.

When I remained silent,

considering the truth of their words, one offered, “Well, it was two against one.”

We had played hockey the previous winter, the boys from the hill and I, upon one of ephemeral ponds that freezes following a thaw, they a duo in skates two sizes too large and I alone with imagined grace, speed and glory.

Sponger gained weight, experience and acceptance within the neighbourhood as he ran with little Frisky, who knew little shame.

Most of the time, though, he stayed at home, loping to the road on occasion with a speed nearly matching that of Blackie’s. He could leap a five-foot, woven wire fence from a standing start but was terrified of storms. He had an easy and friendly way, once greeting the manager of the school bus fleet, a tall man, standing on his hind legs, front paws upon the man’s chest and then licking his face with a stretch.

Of Mickey and Blackie’s fate I know not.

Patches passed, her hind quarters having failed her some weeks before, lying peacefully in the sun by the porch. The cousins who happened to be there that day wept copiously but I felt comforted that her pain was over.

Sponger, I visited, after some years away from the farm. The new people had cared for the dog, now old. He ambled forward, looked with some interest at a vehicle passing along the concession a quarter mile away, made a few, tentative steps in that direction to offer a barked comment and then turned back to me.

I touched his head, scratched behind each ear, wished him well, and remembered our times together. ◊

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Mabel’s Grill The world’s problems are solved daily ’round the table at Mabel’s Grill.

“So, what’s the latest news these days?” Dave Winston asked as he scanned the menu at Mabel’s Grill the other morning.

“Who gets to watch the news?” grunted George Mackenzie. “The wife’s off on holidays these days and she ties up the TV most days watching reruns of Young Sheldon, and then she watches older Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory!”

“Well, at least she’s still got stuff to watch,” said Cliff Murray as he selected pancakes off the menu.

“There may not be much on TV if these strikes from the Hollywood writers and actors keep up.”

“Would anybody notice?” Dave wondered.

“I feel sorry for the people who operate movie theatres,” said Molly Whiteside as she came to get their

order. “I mean they were just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 scare when they closed down and people stayed home. I went to see that Barbie movie last week and I worried if we’d be able to get in because the lines were so long.”

“Imagine!” said Cliff with a straight face, “not being able to see Barbie!”

“Yeah,” said Molly as she took their order and didn’t see the irony in Cliff’s reply. “So far it’s been so popular it’s taken in more than a billion dollars at the box office.” She headed back to the kitchen.

“I feel so old and left out with movies,” George sighed. “For me the biggest excitement is going to our fall fair coming up.”

“How about the International Plowing Match?” wondered Dave. “I mean it’s close this year in Bowling Green over near Orangeville.”

“I might go,” said George. “I always find it interesting to see people plow with horses, like my grandad used to talk about doing.”

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these days if you plow people figure you’re old-fashioned, unless you’re breaking up an old pasture field,” said Cliff “Me, I go to see all the latest farm equipment,” said Dave. “It’s great to see those fancy big tractors put to the test.”

“Yeah, all the stuff guys like me can’t afford to buy,” George sighed and took a sip of the coffee Molly had left for them.

“Well I asked my brother-in-law who lives in Brampton, a few miles away, if he’s going to the Plowing Match and he grumbled that he couldn’t afford it because gas was too expensive, what with the federal government’s climate tax going up,” said Cliff.

“Ha! If he thinks his gas tax is so high he should see mine!” Dave sputtered.

“Yeah, well one minute he was complaining he was broke because of the carbon tax and the next thing he was telling me about the vacation he was planning to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico next January,” chuckled Cliff.

“Funny, how people see there’s a big problem with the climate but they don’t think they’re part of the cause,” Molly said as she delivered their breakfast plates to the table.

“Yeah, and he drives about three miles to work – about as far as I come for breakfast – meanwhile he seems to forget that for himself, his wife and three kids he gets about $1,000 back from the government to cover his tax,” Cliff sighed.

“Oh, I forgot about the money we get to help with climate tax,” Molly said. “It just shows up in my bank account and helps pay my rent.”

“Alright, alright, can we just stop talking about climate change as if it were real!” George exploded.

“Oh, so you send the money back to the government since you don’t believe in climate change?” said Molly with a smirk.

“Ha! Not with all the money I pay them, not just at the gas pump but in the rest of my life!” George sputtered.

“Well good, then you can spend a little of that tax for a decent tip instead of your usual quarter!” Molly said hopefully. ◊

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Gary Kenny Gary Kenny is retired from a career in international human rights, is a writer and resident of Grey County.

Canada’s apartheid Early on in my career as a human rights researcher and activist, I worked with individuals and organizations committed to helping Black South Africans end their country’s notorious system of Apartheid. It never ceased to disappoint me how so few of us Canadians were aware of Canada’s own long-time support of South Africa’s racist Apartheid system.

Perhaps we can be forgiven.

Successive Canadian governments didn’t acknowledge that sordid part of Canada’s history. And in those days anyway, one would be hardpressed to find much about the subject in the media or textbooks.

In fact, Canada – or more pointedly, Canada’s legislated treatment of Indigenous peoples through the (still existing) Indian Act – once served as a template in the creation of South Africa’s Apartheid system.

As Canadian political scientist Linda Freeman documents in her book, Ambiguous Champion, “In the years when South Africa’s White Nationalist government was building the Apartheid system, South African officials regularly came to Canada to examine reserves set aside for First Nations.”

Hosted by Canadian governments of the day, representatives of the Apartheid state studied the oppressive regulations embedded in the Indian Act – a set of laws that forms the foundation of much of Canada’s historical – and present-day – relationship with Indigenous peoples.

How Canada addressed its “Indian problem” helped the South African government solve its “Black problem.”

The Indian Act was proclaimed in 14 The Rural Voice

1876 – unilaterally, without any consultation with Indigenous communities across Canada – and consolidated earlier colonial legislation. It gave the Crown the complete control it sought over the lives of Indigenous peoples.

Sir John A. MacDonald, prime minister at the time, believed the Act would ensure that the dream of a nation “from sea to sea” could unfold unhindered by “Indians, savages or heathens” – those who he and others deemed inferior, sub-human, or not human at all. They were to be “civilized and Christianized “– assimilated – into the fuller humanity and community of settler Canadians.

In its sweep, the Act was designed to terminate the cultural, social, economic, and political distinctiveness of Indigenous peoples through absorption into mainstream Canadian life and values. It replaced traditional structures of governance with elected band councils. It gave the Crown restrictive control over the rights of Indigenous peoples to practice their cultures and traditions.

It also enabled the government to determine the Indigenous land base, which today is a cross-Canada archipelago of mostly small reserves.

It determines who qualifies as “Indian” in the form of “Indian status.”

Likely with regret now, Canada’s theological institutions of the day effectively consented to the Act. They didn’t critically analyze the theological basis of the colonial legislation’s assumptions of superiority.

Calling Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, and specifically the Indian Act, “apartheid” may seem exaggerated, even extreme. Not so for many prominent Indigenous leaders.

In response to a 2017 Globe and Mail editorial that took issue with the term, Senator Murray Sinclair, a lawyer and former chairperson of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, replied, “Excuse me, but apartheid is exactly what happened here.”

Sinclair continued: “Through chicanery, lies, and duplicity (read broken treaties), the government

lulled (Indigenous leaders) into a false sense of security, and after asserting the extension of Canada’s legal jurisdiction, enacted apartheid laws over them…That apartheid system still exists, and it is what we, who are working for reconciliation, are all working to dismantle.”

While the Indian Act has undergone numerous amendments, it largely retains its original form.

Which begs the question: In this era when Canadians are increasingly waking up to the multitude of injustices heaped on the First Peoples of this land, and demanding redress, why hasn’t the Act been abolished?

Why does such a pernicious statute remain on the federal books?

As my research for this column demonstrated, the answer is complex.

And even among Indigenous peoples, perspectives differ.

“Yes, the Indian Act is racist; it was designed with the intention of legislating Indians out of existence,” wrote Mi’kmaw lawyer Pamela Palmater in MacLean’s magazine.

The most offending sections at least should be amended, she said.

However, Palmater added, “the complexities of the Indian Act go beyond racism. (For Indigenous peoples) it also serves as a legislative tool by which to hold the federal government accountable for their legal responsibilities.”

Palmater is referring to various legal protections contained in the Act, like tax exemptions for property on reserves, and the protection of reserve lands from seizure.

Abolishing the Act, she says, would place Indigenous lands “under provincial jurisdiction and vulnerable to the provincial governments’ voracious extraction and development appetites.”

The way forward, Palmater believes, is not the abolishment of the Act but direct negotiations between the federal government and actual, rights-bearing First Nations governments.

It means, Palmater added, that some First Nations might opt out of some or all aspects of the Act. It might mean that some will prefer to negotiate municipal-style governing

arrangements, while others may want inter-governmental agreements that respect their sovereignty and jurisdiction in all areas.

“If we get this nation-to-nation partnership process part right, then the Indian Act eventually becomes irrelevant, but at a pace which works for First Nations without any risks to their rights,” Palmater said. “The honour of the Crown and the (original) spirit and intent of the treaties demand no less.”

In the meantime, there’s much that Canadians can do to call out the Indian Act’s apartheid essence. In 1984 The United Church of Canada declared South Africa’s Apartheid a heresy. Other churches followed suit resulting in greater pressure on the Canadian government to act against the South African government.

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Bees

What Bee-mageddon teaches beekeepers A new Honey Bee Research Centre at the University of Guelph will investigate how pesticides, varroa mites and climate change affect both honey and native bees • By Jeff Tribe •

Paul Kelly, Research and Apiary Manager of the Honey Bee Research Centre at the University of Guelph was fascinated with apiary arts from his initial first‐year university course on the subject. He came to his current long‐standing position after five years of commercial beekeeping. At right, bees in this first‐year hive are adding comb to removable structure and busily filling it with honey.

“B

ee-mageddon” 2021/2022 crept insidiously into Canadian hives on the balmy breezes of an early spring.

The honey and pollination industry pivoted despite losses approaching 50 per cent nationwide, but the experience provided a chilling warning on the ramifications of climate change, pathogens and parasites on honey bees’ annual $7-billion economic impact in Canada.

Beyond less honey, blueberry pollination as one example may have been spread a bit thinner, with production down a little, said Paul Kelly, Research and Apiary Manager of the Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC: www.hbrc.ca) with The University of Guelph’s Ontario Agricultural College.

“It wasn’t a catastrophe, but if we face losses of 70 or 80 per cent, it will be. We’re kind of on the edge of that if we don’t learn to manage these problems.”

Kelly was hooked on honey bees during a first-year university apiculture course, a glimpse into the highenergy, high-intensity world of creating and managing hives and queens.

“You are starting something and watching it grow and develop,” he explained. “It’s almost like magic and you are intimately connected to it.”

With his BSc. Agriculture degree graduation in 1983, Kelly combined academia and practical experience through 16 The Rural Voice

five years of commercial beekeeping starting on a 3,000-hive honey production operation in Alberta’s Peace River. From there he managed 300 hives for orchard pollination in the Okanagan valley then worked on a 700-hive Nova Scotia operation specializing in blueberry pollination. He passed through New Zealand learning queen rearing skills, before moving to his current position in 1987.

Honey bees occupy a “funny intersection” between nature and livestock, says Kelly, the huge majority of their Canadian population farmed for honey and contracted out for agricultural pollination.

Around one-third of food grown (fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, vegetables and forage crops) benefits from bee pollination. “Of that, 80 per cent is done by honey bees.”

For example, 40,000 of Ontario’s 100,000 hives are temporarily shipped to low bush blueberry fields in the Maritimes annually, where damp, cold winters and a dearth of bee food after blueberry bloom mean it’s not possible for bees to thrive there year-round.

“The blueberry business is expanding out there.”

Hives are also sourced to support high bush blueberry and other berry production in B.C. and fruit (cherries,

apples, peaches for example) in the Okanagan Valley, Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley and Ontario’s fruit growing regions, and vegetables (cucumber, squash and melon) in Norfolk County, “Ontario’s Garden”.

That 80 per cent majority of pollination is accomplished “almost exclusively” through farmed honey bees Kelly added, given the parasitical devastation on those living in the wild.

Other bees including bumblebees and leaf cutter bees do the remaining 20 per cent. In Ontario, there are 423 species of native bees, says Kelly, some generalists like honey bees, others specific to native plants.

“They need each other.”

Most study and research is done on honey bees due to economic impact, although Kelly’s position is the province needs all its pollinators.

“We need to know more about these interactions.”

Historically, Canadian beekeepers could simply replace lost hives with “package bees” from California, Georgia or Alabama. However, while still open to queens, the border was closed to colonies in the 1980s over concerns with Africanized (killer) bees and parasitic Varroa destructor mites, the number one problem for honey bees.

Mites do not affect honey quality, rather halve the lifespans of overwintering bees from six months to three, a crucial degradation affecting winter survivability. Roots for massive Varroa destructor damage were planted in an eventemperature 2020-2021 winter, followed by a six-weeks early spring.

“So, the bees came through in very good shape,” said Kelly. “And then they got a jump start of six weeks, which is huge.”

Hives thrived initially, better than they had for years.

“The flip side is when bees are reproducing well, mites are reproducing well too.”

There are both natural (essential plant oils and organic formic acid) and synthetic miticides, however their administration to a high-density colony living inside a box filled with food people eat is both complicated and highly regulated.

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“It’s not an easy thing,” said Kelly, a reality exacerbated by the temperature-sensitive nature of treatment. Normally, hives may be treated for mites after the first honey harvest, however warm conditions did not allow for that.

The full extent of losses initiated in the spring of 2021 did not show up until the following spring, 46 per cent nationwide and between 49 and 50 per cent in Ontario.

Beyond a HBRC longerview breeding program selecting breeder queens from more mite-resistant hives, short-term measures including testing hives for mites and mitigation measures — time consuming tasks and additional expenses.

These are expenses which must be borne, however, given contemporary conditions which negatively impact beekeepers’ bottom lines and at worst case, the health of a crucial industry.

“Between mites and climate change, it means you can’t do things the same every year,” said Kelly.

Bee hives can be regenerated more quickly than a corresponding percentage loss in a dairy herd, for example, through splitting which is pairing a number of bees from a healthy hive with a new queen to create a new colony. Splitting does not however produce hives equal to the original in robustness or production level. Climate change can encourage mite production, or cause drought which compromises nectar availability. Poor foraging conditions affect the ability of colonies to feed themselves, produce a harvestable surplus, and go into winter in good health.

This backdrop only emphasizes HBRC’s importance. Funded through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) it has a focus on provincial agriculture, yet with national and international standing.

The presence of hard, scientific data is particularly important given the at-times emotional public response and potential 18 The Rural Voice

Right: Busy bees work on honey production in a first‐year hive.

Below:Wissarut Sukhaket, a PHD student from Thailand, works on a research project within the Honey Bee Research Centre at Guelph.

Above: From left, Shannon Lam, Janet Tam and Rebecca Romanishen show off some of the products available at the Honey Bee Research Centre’s retail outlet. The centre also offers educational videos and courses for beekeepers as part of its broad‐based mandate.

Left: Beekeeper Craig Cook inspects the progress of a first‐year hive, preparatory to adding another box to its structure.

misconceptions around bee health related to pesticides. “There are issues with pesticides,” says Kelly,” who also fully comprehends they can be useful for food production. HBRC studies show that pesticides may not be ideal for bees in general but have focused on how much colonies are exposed to. Admittedly only test “snapshots” rather than a comprehensive case-by-case picture, their evidence indicates bees are exposed to pesticides in higher and lower levels, but not generally in amounts measurable to hive performance.

“We’re happy to see that.”

Documented losses from neonicotinoid exposure in Germany in 2007 and in Ontario in 2012-2013 became highly publicized despite “not being widespread in a Canadian context”.

Well-meaning organizations got involved in “save the bees” efforts which in Kelly’s opinion didn’t pay enough attention to the full spectrum of pollinators and secondly, didn’t fully account for the negative effects of climate change, pathogens and parasites.

“What was kind of lost in that was that not all the problems were from pesticides.”

Currently operating out of a raised bungalow on the University of Guelph grounds, the centre uniquely combines educational and entrepreneurial components including beekeeping facilities featuring a home bee yard of 60 fullsized hives and 120 smaller queen mating hives, 13 other bee yards with a total of 350 hives, a retail outlet with honey, hive products, and educational materials for sale. The HBRC is an educational hub offering weekend courses and around 80 videos available either on a flash drive or via YouTube.

“They break beekeeping down into simple chunks,” explained Kelly.

Translated into 12 languages, HBRC videos have been viewed at least 16,000,000 times globally.

The centre also hosts research projects with local, provincial, national and global significance.

“We are forced to turn away more people wishing to help than we can accept,” says Kelly.

Having done a lot with a little, he is excited with the plans to build a new 15,000-square-foot, $16.1million Honey Bee Research Centre.

After eight years of planning the ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 14th. The Lukevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre is named for the family who donated 50-per cent of the construction cost. To date, roughly $13.5 million has been raised for the facility which is located a couple hundred metres down Stone Road from the current HBRC. The new facility will provide more accessible one-level space (research is currently done in a former residential bedroom) with an excellent flow of people, production and research activities. There will be more room to execute and collaborate on domestic and international research, a public education zone focusing on the importance of bees in agriculture and nature, and the opportunity to build up staff and expand the scope of activities including course offerings. The property will also feature $180,000 worth of bee-friendly flora conducive

to thriving hives and interpretive trails.

Kelly looks forward to continuing his mandate through the scheduled completion date in 2025.

In conclusion, despite being as busy as, well a bee at times, Kelly’s career has reinforced the validity of his first impression that it would be something he’d enjoy spending his life doing. Changing climate may have contributed to a new and extremely challenging era. What has not changed is Kelly’s unwavering commitment to bee health and the crucial importance of their environmental and economic impact.

“The best thing to support the beekeeping industry is to be purchasing local honey, providing habitat for bees and supporting bee research,” he summed up, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the industry and the agricultural community who both benefit from, and typically host hives.

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September 2023 19

Bees

Workers, queens and the Cloake method Jodi Roth focusses on hygienics and overwintering success when breeding queen bees for honey producers

E

very worker bee has the potential to be a queen before she is three days old and Jodi Roth has capitalized on that knowledge to become a queen breeder at Huckleberry Hives near Gad’s Hill.

Having studied queen breeding and rearing via the Tech Transfer classes offered by the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, Roth is establishing herself as a beekeeper, queen breeder and nuc supplier after learning bee basics working for her brother, Mike, at Nith Valley Apiaries.

“I was helping with the retail side of the business and people kept asking questions about the bees,” remembers Roth, now 31, who has grown her own Huckleberry Hive business to over 120 hives. “The more I learned, the more I realized I wanted to work directly with the bees.”

Roth became fascinated with bee biology, marvelling at the dynamics within the hive. For instance, worker bees that only live 45 days in summer can live months in winter when their role changes from gathering nectar and feeding larvae to warming the queen to keep her alive.

These “winter” worker bees are born with extra body mass which gives them more insulation and vibrating power to create heat.

As her interest in bees grew, so did her fascination with queens and in particular, breeding bees with specific phenotypes to create the ideal queen bee. For instance, some bees are known for their hygienics and how quickly they can clean out dead brood. Perhaps even more beneficial, are bees bred for Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) which increases the chance bees can clear their hives of one of Ontario’s bee’s 20 The Rural Voice

• By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot • worst threats – varroa mites.

Roth’s top three criteria for raising queen bees are: ▪ Hygienics ▪ Hive overwintering ▪ Gentleness “I don’t focus on production but I haven’t found that any of my hives are unproductive,” says Roth.

Queen rearing is a delicate process

and it starts with worker bee larvae under three days of age. “At this early larval stage, they are all fed royal jelly which nurse bees produce with special glands in their mouth,” explains Roth. After three days, larvae are switched from royal jelly to worker jelly and this different food source then dictates the future careers of the larvae.

Jodi Roth of Huckleberry Hives has great success using the Cloake method to transform would‐be worker bee larvae into queen bees which she markets to fellow beekeepers. She is striving to breed queens that are hygienic and breed colonies that can withstand Ontario winters.

To breed queens, Roth removes larvae before they are three days old and places each one in a manufactured queen cell. The process is called grafting and it’s tricky because the larvae are tiny and easily squished. Also, it’s vital to maintain the orientation of the larvae because if they are flipped upside down, they cannot breathe and will die. Roth uses a special Chinese grafting tool which features a little “plastic tongue” allowing her to complete this delicate process. Once the larva is safely in the queen cell, the nurse bees then understand this larva to be a future queen and continue feeding her royal jelly. The fact that there are 40 or more cells on the bee frame doesn’t seem to fluster the nurse bees.

Roth showed me one of the queen cell frames in her colourful bee yard beside her tiny home. After a careful inspection, she announced 39 of the 48 queen cells had “took”. That’s an 81 per cent success rate and Roth was satisfied with that. Of course, there could be more losses before the process is totally complete but so far, so good.

There are many factors to ensure a high success rate. Grafting needs to be done in hives that are feeling “swarmy” (about to swarm) and are queen right, meaning they have a healthy queen. Roth follows the Cloake system which involves a Cloake board inserted into the hive to keep the queen in the bottom box.

Roth has to make sure the queen doesn’t have access to the new queen cells or she will destroy them.

Plus, the bees must feel they need to create another queen in order for them to get busy taking care of the new queen cells. She encourages the process by taking a frame of brood from the lower box and placing it beside the new frame of queen cells.

It takes 16 days for the larvae to emerge as queens and it’s critical to remove the frame of queen cells before emergence because the first one to emerge will kill the rest.

Roth rears queens four to five times in her chosen hives, then gives the hives a rest. It’s hard work raising queens and the process is stressful for the bees. The health of her hives is paramount so a rest is mandatory.

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Roth has sold 600 bee queens and queen cells to other beekeepers at a cost of $55 per queen. She also sells nucleus colonies – usually 50 a year – which changes according to how many hives overwintered. This year, she sold 65 which was an exciting milestone to reach.

Beekeeping has been quite a journey for Roth. Starting her own

business was an exciting time in 2017 but a few years later, she experienced a 95 per cent hive loss after a difficult winter. It was devastating and is why breeding for overwintering success is high on her list of priorities.

“It was rough. I remember checking the hives and having a good cry in the beeyard,” says Roth. She

had to take out a loan to purchase new hives and worked part-time on her hives, her brother’s business, another apiary and her parent’s business as well to restore her finances. It was busy but now, Roth is back on track with slow and steady growth. Looking back, she suspects part of the reason was mite management. She has since taken a

Cutline

Clockwise: Jodi Roth of Huckleberry Hives near Gad’s Hill holds up one of the queen cells worker bees will create on a frame when Roth begins the process of breeding queens to sell to other beekeepers. It’s a tricky process but Roth has had great success. As she pulled the frame from a hive, she counted the queen cups the bees were nurturing and discovered 39 of the 48 queen cups had queen cells on them. A close‐up view shows the design of the bee cells in which the larva is fed royal jelly.

22 The Rural Voice

tech transfer course on pest management and now feels confident about best practices. This spring’s survival success proves it worked.

Raising bees is a never-ending learning process and Roth is up for the challenge. Her technical knowledge is astounding and interviewing her, I felt like I was taking a technical course. She also shares her knowledge with families during her on-farm tours.

She used to run tours every weekend but ended up exhausted so she scaled down to five tours during the summer, each one at capacity.

The tour takes people through her yards, includes a hive inspection and ends with making candles out of beeswax.

She also teaches about native bees. “Some people don’t even know native bees exist!” says Roth. Within the pollinator patch planted beside her tiny home, Roth is able to point out native bees on plants such as beeblam, false sunflower, mint and globe thistle plants in the garden.

“If I have space, I feel it is my responsibility to have a pollinator patch when keeping bees at a smallscale commercial level,” says Roth.

She encourages participants in her tours to plant pollinator patches as well. “I think planting habitat is probably more important than having hives for people who want to save pollinators,” believes Roth.

It’s been many years of learning, highs and lows, failures and successes for Roth since she started Huckleberry Hives in 2017. This year, instead of feeling she has to “catch-up” she feels a sense of success. “It was a good year for beekeepers in general but I do feel I did my hive management well. I went through all the hives to make sure the queens were laying in August, did mite checks and got off all the honey in time so I could do the fall treatments,” says Roth. “I feel I have hit my stride in terms of having knowledge and implementing that knowledge well.”

That allows her to be in her own “state of flow” which, when she’s not too busy, is what makes her love beekeeping. “I love to watch the bees work and how they live…there is a real coolness factor to bees.” ◊

Jodi Roth has planted a pollinator patch beside her tiny home believing if you have land, native flowers are the best way to protect the bees and other pollinating insects. At right, a honeybee gathers nectar from native beebalm.

September 2023 23

Flowers

Rooted and blossoming in the family business

Laura Barker is expanding the U-pick, offering more workshops and organizing festivals at Black Creek Flower Farm Black Creek Flower Farm near Sebringville continues to expand its floral offerings since third generation family member, Laura Barker, joined the business and established a U‐pick operation and retail store.

L

aura Barker grew up with flowers so it’s not surprising she is rooted in the family flower business and has blossomed by expanding Black Creek into a thriving retail and pick-your-own operation.

Just off Highway 8 near Sebringville, is a little stand where flower lovers can stop and choose a small or large vase, fill it with water, grab a pair of clippers and walk the rows clipping flowers to fill their vase.

It often surprises Barker what they choose. “Most people tend to go for bold colour and large, showy flowers such as sunflowers, zinnias and dahlias,” says Barker. Why not? The bouquets are bright and cheerful. Barker, however, studied floral design and had her own flower shop in Stratford before joining the family business. She prefers foliage and finer fill plants. “I love the grasses out there, celosia, the red/green/copper of amaranth and dusty miller…those are some of the plants overlooked but I think they are a necessity.”

No matter. Customers get to choose whatever they want from the rows of annuals and perennials in the U-pick section of the business which is Laura’s business, along with the retail store which sells gifts and pre-made bouquets for $15. She also does flowers for weddings and her record for one weekend was three days without sleep.

Now married with children, she’s had to scale back on the 24 The Rural Voice

wedding flower side of the business though she admits she loves the detailed work it entails.

Barker was the third generation to run Black Creek Flower Farm when she joined in 2016. It started as a gladiola bulb business by her grandparents and was taken over by her mother and father, Robert and Karin McDougall. At one time, there were over 200 acres in bulb production. Five years ago, the wholesale business was scaled back but Barker’s mother still runs the gladiolus side of the business as Peeters Enterprises Gladiolus, selling gladioli bulbs in the fall, winter and spring and attending farmer’s markets with gladiolus in the summer.

It was Barker who started the retail store at the Sebringville site and the U-pick operation, now in its fourth year, which is continually expanding. Last year, Barker brought in picnic tables and hosted more workshops for families to come and create seasonal floral decor. This year, Barker is hosting a “fall festival” event September 16-17 with the first flush of pumpkins on schedule to be orange and ripe for the event. There will also be a food truck and face painting.

Some of those pumpkins will make it into Thanksgiving centrepieces of which Barker and staff typically make 300-

● By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot ●

400 per year. U-pick flowers are still available into early fall at a cost of $12 to $15 per bouquet.

“Flowers bring great joy to so many people and we try to keep it cost-effective for them,” says Barker.

The U-pick and retail store is what everyone sees when they drive into Black Creek Flower Farm but there are acres of flowers behind the store as well. It’s here that Barker and staff source flowers for the pre-made bouquets and experiment with new varieties to determine if they will succeed in the U-pick operation.

There are fascinating plants in this section including bright blue globe thistle (which I later saw in the premade bouquets in the retail store), Mexican hat, tall veronica, nonscented artemisia, monarda, feverfew, stock and 10 different varieties of sunflowers.

Some of these acres were part of the family’s former cash-crop operation but Barker says intensive flower growing is more profitable than cash crop. So the farm is actually down to 10 acres of flowers and bulbs, with the remaining acreage rented out. It also allows them to employ crop rotation as a health strategy. Gladiola bulbs don’t see the same acreage for seven years to reduce pests and diseases.

Ten acres doesn’t sound like a lot but it is a pile of work! Barker says weeding is never-ending and is done both by hand and tractor-drawn scuffler in the larger fields. The family switched to growing in biodegradable plastic known as biofilm 10 years ago and that has made a “huge difference” in the weed workload. The biofilm requires a watering system as rain runs off the plastic instead of penetrating the soil but it also serves a moisture retention system during drought. The biofilm breaks down in one to three years after the family piles it or tills it into the soil.

The flowers are fed a fish and seaweed emulsion in the drip lines under the biofilm and also as a foliar spray. Pests come “in waves” and Barker uses sacrificial plants such as calendula to keep them away from other flowers as well as plants known for their pest-deterrent qualities such

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as marigolds and basil.

“Honestly, having healthy plants is the biggest pest deterrent,” says Barker. “If a plant gets diseases, we just pull it out.” A large buffer area filled with native plants is left around the flower plantations which also attracts pests away from the flowers.

The business hires one to five seasonal employees to keep up with all the work.

The flower business is a good fit for Barker who says she inherited her creative genes from mom Karin, and her Oma Nelly Peeters. “At one point, I thought I wanted to be an architect but I soon realized I did not want to work inside,” says Barker.

Tanned and fit, with her blond hair in a messy bun on top Laura Barker (top and right) starts many of of her head, Barker exudes energy the flowers that make it into bouquets from and says “I do well when I keep seed in a greenhouse behind the retail store. busy. I thrive on chaos and when I have a heavy workload,” she says. They will be transplated into rows of annuals Raising two children with her and perennials in the u‐pick part of the husband, Adam, adds to the business where customers pick a vase, fill it busyness. Adam helps at the with water and fill it with blooms such as flower farm when needed and snapdragons (above) and globe thistle (right). works full-time off the farm as a custom-for-hire machine operator, a thriving business in its own right.

Busy as they are, Barker says there is a relaxed atmosphere at the flower farm when you get to work outside with flowers in the sunshine.

Since the work is seasonal and flexible, it allows her time to volunteer at her children’s school. If she’s away for an afternoon, she can get up early to pick flowers or work late to create bouquets.

In terms of profitability, Barker says each aspect of the business “is kind of equal. The U-pick doesn’t make as much money as designing floral arrangements for a wedding but neither is it as labour intensive. The retail store makes more money yet it has higher input costs.” This is Barker’s full-time job and she doesn’t require off-farm work to Sisters Jasmijn and Madelief de Bruin said picking flowers at Black Creek Flower support the business as other smallFarm near Sebringville was on their summer bucket list.

26 The Rural Voice

scale farms frequently do.

The business is also admired and respected in the community as Black Creek Flower Farms was chosen as one of the stops on Perth County’s Mystery Farm Hop Tour which was held in July.

Before I finish the interview, I ask Barker to create a custom bouquet from the U-pick so I can learn from her skills in floral design. True to form, she DOES start with fillers such as dusty miller, grasses and amaranth. Flowers are cut and inserted and soon we are on a pink and purple theme which surprises Barker as she generally prefers more muted colour choices with three colours at most. Designer or not, the bouquet is gorgeous and uplifting, which is what flower picking should do for people.

“Just put in whatever your heart desires,” advises Barker. In July, some of the options were sunflowers, yarrow, coneflowers, scabiosa, zinnias, snapdragons and celosia.

Having previously stated she thrives on chaos, it was interesting that when I pressed her to pick her favourite part of the business, she said it was the early morning flower picking.

“It’s so relaxing and peaceful.”

Clearly, flowers work their magic on her, too.

As I leave with the bouquet, I learn Barker’s future plans include expanding the u-pick with more perennials, creating a seating area for workshops, and “trying new things to see what works and what doesn’t.”

Classes and workshops, which she leads herself, are definitely on the agenda. “People come to have a good time and they leave in a great mood,” she concludes. ◊

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Food

Reinventing indigenous cuisine at Naagan

Sweetgrass ice cream on pebbles was one of three desserts finishing off the meal by Chef Zach Keeshig (right) who serves his version of Indigenous food at his high‐end pop‐up restaurant in Owen Sound. ~Food photos by Mel Luymes, photo of Keeshig by Anya Shor

T

hough only 32, chef Zach Keeshig is already making waves in the culinary world while re-discovering and re-inventing Indigenous food with his high-end pop-up restaurant in Owen Sound, Naagan.

Naagan is pronounced in three syllables (naw-AW-gan) and is the Ojibway word for dish. Keeshig himself is Ojibway and was born on the Neyaashiinigmiing (formerly known as Cape Croker) Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula. He was about 10 years old when his mother moved him and his little brother to Owen Sound, leaving their father.

“I remember watching cooking shows all the time and my mom was gone, so I had to learn how to cook for my brother,” reflects Keeshig. “I even remember when I was young, I was making Campbell soup and pretending I was on a cooking show with my brother,” he laughs.

Keeshig went on to culinary school at Georgian College and was a chef at a local golf course, but grew tired of a la carte cooking, ordering from large global distributors. He went on to work for up-scale restaurants like Micheal Stadtländer’s Eigensinn farm in Singhampton and Langdon Hall in Cambridge, developing his skills with modern cooking techniques and French cuisine before he took a bold step out on his own, and back to his roots.

“It took a while to develop my own style,” says Keeshig. He began about seven years ago at the Owen Sound Farmers’ Market, offering a seven-course tasting menu for a handful of people. He started with the styles he had been taught and gradually found his own way to the unique flavours he offers today. He continues to sell his breads and wild juices at the Saturday market and now offers an exclusive 13-seat ‘pop-up’ restaurant there Saturday and Sunday evenings. By renting the 28 The Rural Voice

Chef Keeshig serves his vision of what Indigenous food is and what it could be at Naagan in Owen Sound • By Melisa Luymes

kitchen space for the weekends, he has reduced his overhead costs while he works to grow both his dishes and his customer base.

I was able to get reservations at Naagan for myself and a friend on the August long-weekend and it was unlike anything this country girl has had before. Bouquets of wildflowers hung from the ceiling over the three tables for Sunday’s 6:30pm seating.

Keeshig welcomed us and we were served some sourdough bread with freshly-made sage-infused butter to start.

What followed over the next three hours were nine glorious dishes that are difficult to describe and just need to be experienced. With Chef Keeshig and two interns, Trystan and Sage, busy in the market’s kitchen, Katie and Ellery were back and forth with all the courses. The evening included a spelt bannock topped with pickerel and yogurt, a slow roasted onion over a sweet and salty whey sauce, white fish with a cilantro base and pickled service berries, and a potato rosette over cauliflower purée with garlic scape oil. After a chokecherry sorbet as a palette cleanser, we took 10 minutes to stretch our legs as they reset the room. We came back to duck with nectarine purée, roasted hazelnuts, and berries and then three incredible desserts: a rich sweetgrass ice-cream, wild rice pudding with black walnut and mint, finishing with a perfect melt-in-your-mouth sponge toffee made of maple syrup. All of this was paired with medicinal drinks, starting with cedar tea and the Wild Juices by Naagan, drinks that can also be found at the farmer’s market.

“This is my vision of what Indigenous food is or could be,” says Keeshig. And what a vision it is. The food is exquisite, and the experience is pure art, every dish comes out like a perfect picture –sometimes on a bed of pebbles or leaves– and it is introduced by Keeshig with a small story.

Keeshig says that when he first started out, he wanted to recreate traditional recipes from his Reserve, but soon realized that they had been lost and there was nothing much there to recreate; he would essentially

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need to invent dishes himself. Even bannock, a quick fried bread that is common in Indigenous communities, is originally from Europe, Keeshig adds.

For millennia, people in the Americas had developed complex societies and trading routes, hunted and farmed, developing many of the foods that the world incorporated into their own cultures: potatoes, tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, and even cacao. I’ve explored the influence of European colonialism in this summer’s past articles on Indian and Filipino dishes, and I think it is safe to say that it destroyed the food cultures in this area.

Over time, colonial oppression of Indigenous peoples went so far as to become Canadian law. Land was stolen through treaties that have still not been honoured and children were kidnapped to be sent to residential schools where they were abused and stripped of their languages, foods, and cultures. It continued with children being taken out of their families and into foster homes. Don’t believe me? Hop on to Netflix and watch Richard Wagamese’s Indian Horse, followed by the documentary For Love and then Gather. What our Canadian government did is only now recognized as genocide and it set into motion a generational epidemic of addictions in Indigenous communities that they still struggle with.

It was no different on the Peninsula; treaties between 18361861 dwindled the Saugeen and Ojibway lands to small fishing grounds, hunting grounds and Neyaashiinigmiing, which is a 64 square-kilometre peninsula into Georgian Bay that is the Reserve land for the Chippewas of Nawash.

Approx-imately 600 people live there, though many more from this band, like Keeshig, have chosen to live elsewhere.

Now, a new generation is going to great lengths to re-discover the cultures that were taken from them.

“I’m learning my own culture as I go,” says Keeshig. Keeshig’s neighbour had long been encouraging Zach to forage for mushrooms with him, and when Keeshig was ready,

he joined his neighbour in the forest.

He hasn’t looked back since. He researched as best he could what types of food his Ojibway ancestors would have eaten from the area, the herbs and berries, duck and duck

The meals at Naagan aren’t just tasty, they are pretty too! Above, is a potato rosette on cauliflower puree and garlic scape oil, part of the main course which included spelt bannock topped with pickerel. eggs, the fish, but then he uses the ingredients in incredible new ways.

His menu is hyper-local, nearly all foraged or farmed nearby, so it will vary even week to week, depending on what is available.

“I’ve never claimed to be doing

traditional food,” he says, “but I was afraid of getting backlash about it.”

He was relieved to get the blessing of his community’s elders, and many people from Neyaashiinigmiing have come to the restaurant as well. He also sources from as many Indigenous fishermen, farmers, and businesses as possible.

Keeshig is looking for a place to put down his roots for Naagan, but his hope is that it will be on land that can also be used for farming, having bees, tapping trees and foraging, and to run his educational programming from as well. Not only is it a restaurant, but Naagan is a social enterprise that runs culinary and foraging programs for the Bluewater District School Board throughout the week, connecting the next generation to their local food as well.

“We’re putting something on the map that’s never been here before,” says Keeshig, who is just getting started. His talent is gaining him more publicity as well. Already, Naagan has been praised in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail and Canada’s 100 Best. “It feels like it is coming full circle,” Keeshig reflects.

“I watched some of the people on TV and now they are inviting me out to their restaurants to come cook.”

I’m reminded of Dostoevsky’s quote, “Beauty will save the world.”

To me, Zach Keeshig is reconnecting to place and re-inventing this region’s food in the most extraordinarily beautiful way, and he is graciously inviting us all along for the journey. It is well worth it and I’m excited to see his next move. ◊

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Weight scale works in feedlots and pastures

grew up on a farm in join forces to create a weight scale Ireland.

A that worked in Canada. They call m e c h a n i c a l their company Strong Bo Agritech. engineer, his first Plans were adjusted and they scale was known as switched water out for salt (because the Rev1A, a water freezes in Canada), created a scale/water station scale that uses a front foot/full body where animal weight correlation and added spray weights were nozzles to mark cattle with paint to recorded on a thumb visually tell farmers an animal was at drive. an ideal weight without having to “I started with a analyze all the data. “Technically, stick then put all that you do not have to look at an app or data on a computer. You can walk into a pen spreadsheet and did and see that an animal is ready to data analysis all day ship.” long and that was a “They are kind of like hog sorters good day,” laughs except for cattle,” explained Metzger.

McInerney. “The Their first scale worked bad day was when excellently in a feedlot system but you couldn’t find the there was demand for a pasture-based stick because it was system as well. Metzger said lost in the slats.” designing a scale for pasture and not It became his goal having it wrecked was “really to not only create a tough”. Testing has proven the new weight scale that design works and collects data, since was effective, but each animal enters the scale of their didn’t require own free will to lick the salt. extensive data The next step is performance Marty Metzger (left) and Michael McInerney (right) stand evaluation by the monitoring to track daily gain over a with the hands‐free weight scale they developed to help farmer. McInerney two-week period. “We were able to said weighing cattle identify the best gaining and worst beef farmers sort cattle ready for market. is labour intensive gaining animals in the pen,” said and can be Metzger. aking inspiration from the hog dangerous but when it isn’t done, Next, the partners teamed with industry and each other, farmers can lose $25 a head when not Gallagher Power Fencing Systems business partners Michael shipping cattle at ideal weights. based in Owen Sound to create a McInerney and Marty Metzger have Metzger, a veterinarian, had that weight scale powered with solar developed a hands-free weight scale same goal and had designed his panels and cell connections. “You for beef cattle in feedlots and in version of a weight scale.

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September 2023 33

Recipes by Carolyn Crawford

Reach for a peach while you still can!

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love this time of year. There is such an abundance of Ontario produce available for consumers.

Farmers’ markets have a wide range of our province’s bounty ready for our choosing. I prefer going to markets such as St. Jacob’s over going to the grocery store. I find it extremely irritating to see produce at the major grocery chains that comes from the United States or from other countries while “our” produce is only available at farmers’ markets.

Whenever and wherever I shop, I make it a priority to buy only Ontario or Canadian produce while those items are in season. I like to refer to Foodland Ontario’s Availability Guide found on their website at: https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/pag e/availability-guide It is the best way to support our own producers.

According to the Availability Guide, in September, peaches are in their final weeks of production so if you would like to reach for a peach while you still can, I have a few recipes for you to try.

Very few people will turn down a peach pie. For this reason, I will freeze some now to have on hand in the dead of winter when we are all ready for some summer sunshine or at the very least a taste of the summer! My mother would often put in a ¼ of a teaspoon of almond flavouring in her peach and cherry pies along with some lemon juice to enhance their flavour. I like to add cinnamon, too!

Peach Pie Ingredients: Pastry for 9” pie 4-5 cups sliced peaches 1 tbsp lemon juice ¼ tsp almond flavouring (optional) 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp tapioca 1 tsp cinnamon (optional) 1/3 cup white or brown sugar 4 tsp butter Directions: Slice peaches into a mixing bowl and stir in lemon juice and almond flavouring.

In small mixing bowl, stir together 34 The Rural Voice

cornstarch, tapioca, cinnamon, and sugar.

Stir dry ingredients into peach mixture. Let sit for ½ an hour stirring occasionally while you prepare pastry lined pan.

Pour peach mixture into pan. Top with 4 tsp butter randomly placed on peach mixture.

Cover with top layer of pastry and seal edges. Make whatever pattern you wish on your pastry top and edging.

Bake at 450°F for 15 minutes then turn oven down to 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until pastry is evenly browned. Watch that pie filling does not run over in the last 10 minutes or so. n her Classic Canadian Cooking, Elizabeth Baird has this creamy peach pie recipe: Schnitz Peach Pie Ingredients: One deep 9” pie shell unpricked and unbaked 4 cups peeled, sliced peaches ¼ cup heavy cream ½ tsp grated nutmeg ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar

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¼ cup white sugar 2 tbsp flour 1/8 tsp salt 2 tbsp butter Directions: Arrange peach slices attractively in a pie shell. Pour cream over peaches. Sprinkle on nutmeg.

Combine the brown and white sugar, flour, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the dry ingredients. Sprinkle this mixture over the beaches.

Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.

Reduce heat to 350°F and cook for 35 minutes more or until the peaches are tender and the crust is golden brown. ince ice cream is a wonderful accompaniment to pie, I have also included the following ice cream recipe from Elizabeth Baird’s Classic Canadian Cooking cookbook.

If you were a youngster in the earlier half of the 20th century, you may remember making your own ice cream with a hand crank style ice cream maker. The task had to begin early in the day so that it could be

S

No one can resist a peach pie and baking with prepared pastry allows bakers more time to slice fresh Ontario peaches to add full, fresh flavour to peach and Schnitz Peach pie.

enjoyed in the heat of the afternoon.

Summer Fruit Ice Creams Ingredients: 1-pint wild blueberries OR 1-pint ripe red raspberries OR 2 cups sliced, peeled peaches Directions: Crush the blueberries or raspberries lightly. Add the sugar and salt to whichever of the fruits being used. Mix in well.

Cover and refrigerate two hours to mature the flavour.

Pour the cream into the can of the churn freezer. Cover. Surround the can to within one inch of the lid with layers of crushed ice and salt — three parts ice to one part salt (use coarse street salt).

Pack down as firmly as possible.

Add more ice and salt. Add more ice and salt as needed to maintain the level.

Turn the crank slowly until the cream is frozen-mushy, about 10 minutes.

Add the chilled, sugared fruit.

Continue churning turning the crank more quickly until freezing is accomplished.

Remove the can, wipe off the salt.

Take out the dasher and pack down the ice cream.

Store in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator 1-2 hours or until serving time. This storage improves the texture of the ice cream, but it can be eaten immediately. nother peachy favourite for me is Peach Conserve. A conserve is a fruit mixture that contains more than one fruit and raisins and/or nuts. A Culinary Historians of Canada Facebook member, Laura Sanderson, allowed me to use her photo and recipe for this article.

Peach Conserve Ingredients: 12 ripe peaches 3 medium oranges 5 cups granulated sugar ½ cup slivered almonds or chopped walnuts (I have done this with sliced almonds) 1 small jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped Directions: Peel, pit, and chop the peaches.

Juice one orange and mince the other

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two (you can use the food processor).

Add to large saucepan peaches, oranges, juice, and sugar. Boil on a low boil until clear, takes about half an hour.

Add nuts and cherries and boil for another 5-10 minutes. Bottle and process in a water bath.

Laura Sanderson also makes a peach jelly from the pits and skins of the peaches. She describes how to do this on the Culinary Historians of

Canada’s Facebook page.

Finally, if you do not have time to make any of the above for your family, be sure to capture that summer fruity peach flavour by slicing your peaches into freezable containers. To prevent the browning of your peaches, add 1 tbsp of Fruit Fresh with 1 cup sugar for each quart of sliced fruit. That way you can enjoy your peaches in the winter months ahead. ◊

Conserves are a fruit mixture containing more than one fruit and raisins or nuts.

You can make a peach conserve with peaches, oranges, maraschino cherries and slivered almonds. ~Photos by Laura Sanderson

September 2023 35

Gardening Rhea Hamilton‐ Seeger is a skilled cook and gardener who lives in Goderich.

Taming some perennial giants

already see 18-inch tall new shoots with flowers budding and ready to open for a second flush. And there was a third flush at the end of August. It is a prolific plant that needs to have its own space as opposed to being part of a border.

The next competing giant in the same garden is blue Veronica longifolia. It grew to a stunning four and a half feet with great blue wands of fine blue flowers. It is another pollinator magnet. It is fairly selfsupporting until the seed heads start to weigh on the stems and it begins to lean on the others. To cut or not to cut? The seed heads are a great source of seeds for the winter but if cut after blooming the second bloom can set seeds.

There are many varieties of Veronica - Speedwells and all are well worth considering. Some have short mounding habits and by adding a number of different varieties you can stagger their long bloom times.

The third giant in the garden is the pink obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana

plant. Reaching a statuesque five feet, it blooms early to mid-August.

Again, a great pollinator magnet but with a gentle stem structure.

My last beauty is the impressive Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea. Like the rest it reached healthy heights, and in its struggle to seek more sun flopped over. Despite my clumsy attempts to knit it back into the crowd, I managed to break a massive stem!

So my challenge is to manage the heights and still enjoy a profusion of blooms and encourage seed development.

I practiced pruning perennials with the New England asters, Aster novae-angliae. These purple clouds took over the front garden last year and overwhelmed the rest of the plants. Mind you, those plants had finished blooming and did not suffer

It is often you hear a gardener remark about the downfall of vigorous height in their perennials.

You often don’t see the negative side of wonderful strong growth. The first garden we put in at our new place celebrated its third summer and the plants were filling in quite nicely.

Perennials need a bit of time – sometimes years – to get their roots firmly settled and grow. Our preparation of the ground and spacing between perennials meant we had to be patient and the results were generous to say the least.

The comfrey was the first to bloom and was a flutter with assorted bees and insects. The bigbottomed large carpenter bees were quite busy. They are often confused with bumblebees.

The carpenter bees are less hairy and are shiny especially on the abdomen. I should add that they are solitary as opposed to hive dwellers although some mothers and daughters share a nest. They excavate their own nests in softwood and plant stems.

Comfrey gets tall and then lies down! So it was finally pushing on the blooming spiderwort and coneflower. The spent stems and flowers Once perennials establish their roots and mature, they can reach astonishing weights and fall over of the comfrey were from their own heavy blooms (above, right). One solution is to tie them up, as Rhea Hamilton‐ trimmed and we could Seeger did for her pink obedient plant (above, left).

36 The Rural Voice

from the crowding. In early July this year I nipped back a good 10 inches off the tops being careful to cut at a spot near to branches. They bloomed a few weeks later than normal and still put up colourful show at the end of August and well into September and October. The trimming did not adversely affect them as they continued to grow and bud up. The benefit was that they fit better in the garden with the surrounding plants.

I also trimmed a few stems of the giant goldenrod outside our dining room window. I only did a few stems to compare. In hindsight I should have done the whole plant as it is a bit disjointed looking to me. I suspect no one else would notice. The only difference is in height and the overall plant is budding up nicely for a late fall splash.

So after seeing the results of my experiments with trimming two plants, I am hoping to replicate it with the rest next spring. The other job is to thin out the crowd. Comfrey is a pushy bully in the garden and needs to have its own space. That will give more room to the gooseneck loosestrife and smaller plants in front.

I love my gooseneck loosestrife, Lysimachia clethroides. It got a lot of comments at the garden tour in July when it was upright and elegant. But eventually it too was pushed over by the comfrey. It bloomed until the end of August. A lovely show, and as the wee white starry flowers fade they drop off so that it appears fresh all through its bloom. Once people knew it was a member of the loosestrife family they expressed concern about it aggressively spreading by underground roots. You can counteract that by noting the site when it appears late in the spring and taking a sharp shovel around the edge to cut the roots from travelling into another area of the garden.

So spring is shaping up to be one of exciting moves and judicial trimming. We have not even seen fall colours and I have started my list for spring jobs. I love the life of a gardener. Never a dull moment – always creative. ◊

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People • By Gary West •

Raising puppies for Autism Dog Services are Golden Labs and Golden Retrievers with some being Standard Poodle Cross Breeds.

Kayla, who is a graduate from the University of Guelph, says she started off raising puppies then transitioned to raising and training adult dogs. When her work is done, the dogs receive advanced training with professional dog trainers.

Though it is incredibly rewarding to be a puppy trainer, Kayla says “it’s always hard to let the dogs go” at the end of their time with her.

Autism service dogs make a world

of difference for the children and families of children that they serve.

According to Veldman, ADS animals help children with autism by offering companionship, aiding in confidence building, help to keep children safe, and support those children through their sometimes difficult, daily lives.

Kayla says autism dog services is currently recruiting puppy raisers.

They are looking for people who are able to commit 12 to 18 months to socialize and provide basic training to puppies, and attend biweekly puppy classes. ◊

Berries, berries, berries Kayla Veldman is pictured with a Golden Lab “Barley”, her service dog in training. Barley goes with Kayla almost everywhere she goes.

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young Perth County poultry farmer who raises hens for laying eggs has now taken on the important task of becoming a “puppy raiser” for Autism Dog Services (ADS).

Kayla Veldman fosters service dogs in training from eight weeks old until they are ready for advanced training, which is usually when the dog is about 18 months old.

Farming with her family south of Stratford and West of Tavistock, on the Perth-Oxford boundary, Veldman says she started volunteering with ADS during COVID-19, “as a way to get out of the house” and has really enjoyed working with the dogs and learning how to train them.

She has fostered four service dogs in training for the organization so far, and is currently training “Barley” who is just over a year old.

One of her previous foster dogs is working as a certified service dog for a person with autism. Two of her previous dogs before that have had a career change and now work as scent detection dogs with police services.

Most of the service dogs she trains

38 The Rural Voice

Welcoming visitors to TNT Blueberry farm near Shakespeare this summer was, left to right, Claire Schyff, Maggie Walch, Tristan Dredge, and Justin Milne. embers of the Walch moisture. blueberry farm, known as With their raspberry season just T.N.T. Berries near ended, the blueberries were just Shakespeare, were busy welcoming getting started in late July and lasted those who crave blueberries. until August.

Family member Maggie Walch, At the Walch home farm, north of was busy welcoming those who like Shakespeare they also sell Sea to pick their own or just like to drop Buckthorn berries. Customers can by their location at 1904, Line 34, pick their own, or buy already picked. east of Shakespeare.

Buckthorn berries are known for She said the blueberry crop is the multiple health benefits, and at the best they’ve seen for a number of same time offer skin care benefits, years, with the right weather along with antioxidants, 18 amino combination of sunshine and acids, and beta carotene. ◊

M

2023 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo

Celebrate agriculture at the 2023 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo. Explore agricultural, food and rural living as well as antique and historical displays. Tented City offers 100s of vendors and exhibitors. Don’t miss the plowing competitions.

Relax and take in the fabulous variety of talent and entertainment – on various stages throughout the Match.

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September 2023 39

DISCOVER DUFFERIN. INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH & RURAL EXPO 2023!

Join us at IPM 2023.

DISCOVER DUFFERIN. INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH & RURAL EXPO 2023!

Dufferin County International Plowing Match Bowling Green, Ontario September 19-23, 2023 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

DISCOVER DUFFERIN. INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH & RURAL EXPO 2023!

Welcome to everyone attending the 2023 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo

The Rural Voice Magazine 405 Queen Street, PO Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4792 40 The Rural Voice

Council and Staff from the Township of Melancthon welcomes you to the Dufferin County International Plowing Match

Visit the Township of Amaranth tent in the IPM Tented City for lots of fun ac琀vi琀es.

The Rural Reading Room

Time for some Fall Reading

300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS A great soup nourishes the soul as well as the stomach. This book offers an incredible variety from traditional comfort food to exotic taste sensations.

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CORN 140 recipes for cooking with corn from roasted to creamed to cooking with cornmeal: everything from corn breads and cookies to popcorn to tacos and burritos. $20.95

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EVEN COWS GO TO HEAVEN Linda Knox tells the often funny story of her father Melville Knox who was born near Stratford, trained at Ontario Veterinary College, and practiced veterinary medicine in Grey County for many years. $14.95

THE CLUELESS BAKER More than 100 tried and tested baking recipes as well as the basic know-how needed for a novice to take up baking. Recipes and instructions for breads, muffins, biscuits, cookies, cakes, pies and other pastries. Gluten free and whole-wheat recipes. $16.95

HORSE SHOWING FOR KIDS This one-of-a-kind interactive handbook explains how to do everything from loading a horse in a trailer to catching a judge’s eye.

Checklists to help prepare for the show plus a show diary to chart progress. $19.95

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UNFORGETTABLE ONTARIO This beautifully illustrated guide celebrates 100 of the destinations and events that make Ontario an unforgettable place to travel. $29.95

Send cheque or money order for full amount to: Books: North Huron Publishing P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 or call and pay by credit card 519-523-4311 MAIL BOOKS TO: Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________________ Code _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Phone: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prices subject to change with increases in wholesale prices, postage, taxes, etc.

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September 2023 41

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42 The Rural Voice

News

Ontario Sheep Farmers increases license fees

T

he Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) board has reviewed the financial position of the organization and determined that after 13 years with no change, a $0.40 increase to license fees to $2.20 per live animal sale is important for the future success of the organization.

Ontario Sheep Farmers is a tough and credible advocate and unified voice for the province’s sheep farmers, representing all sectors of the industry. OSF has done well to represent its members with the resources available, but costs continue to rise. Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) are committed to using the valuable license fees to support programs and services that help our farmers.

“Our new strategic plan prioritizes the relationship between the board, the districts and the members,” says OSF Chair, John Hemsted. “The budget increase will increase our engagement with our members and improve our market knowledge to prepare for future initiatives to grow the sector for all producers.”

In 2021, OSF launched a new five-year plan, Building Strength for a Better Future, that was created with farmers’ valuable input and insights from across the entire sheep value chain. The OSF board of directors have committed funds to new initiatives to carry out the goals within this plan including market research, data collection, a wool pilot project and new courses within the Sheep Institute.

A new part-time Member Relations role beginning in the Fall will improve dialogue with districts and coordinate activities across the province to ensure ongoing engagement and support of district committees and members. OSF will also maintain the delivery of our current programs at current levels, including supporting our local districts and members.

Ontario Sheep Farmers is a producer-run organization established in 1985 and represents the province’s 3,000 sheep farmers

who contribute over $530 million to Ontario’s economy. Ontario is home to the country’s largest sheep flock and processes over 50 per cent of the sheep and lambs born in Canada.

The board believes that sheep farming is an agricultural business

sector that is profitable, contributes to the well-being of local communities and the province while offering unique opportunities to develop new markets, grow existing markets and provide needed environmental benefits. ◊

Educating consumers key task for Wellington Federation of Agriculture

W

ellington County’s population is expected to increase by 61 per cent by 2051 which will put notable pressure on area farmland.

Understanding the impacts of the agri-food system is crucial to help balance the needs of Wellington County’s population growth while continuing to strengthen the agrifood system.

The Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) recently released a report that examines the agri-food system in the County. Wellington County’s agrifood system contributes $2.8 billion to Canada’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product). The primary agriculture sector in Wellington County plays a crucial role in the economy by contributing $841 million to Ontario’s GDP and employing over 12,260 people. Wellington County accounts for a notable portion of the provincial agricultural supply chain, too, producing 5.8 per cent of 2021 provincial farm cash receipts.

WFA recognizes the Grand River Agricultural Society as a valued partner in the shared mission of supporting the local agricultural industry and is thankful for the generous financial support towards this project.

The WFA collaborated with Wilton Consulting Group and Serecon to conduct the Agri-Food Systems Study. The team completed a literature and data review, an economic impact analysis, and several engagement activities.

Wellington County is home to some of Canada’s most productive farmland.

While Wellington County covers only 0.2 per cent of total land area in Ontario, it supports five per cent (418,296 acres) of the province’s field crops. Farmers in Wellington County produce four per cent of the province’s soybeans and grain corn, and seven per cent of the province’s winter wheat. The County’s farmers are leaders in field crop production, growing 10 per cent of Ontario’s acreage of corn silage; nine per cent of Ontario’s acreage of mixed grain and eight per cent of Ontario’s acreage of barley.

Wellington County’s agri-food system includes livestock production and processing. The County is home to 12 per cent of Ontario’s dairy farms; 10 per cent of Ontario’s poultry and egg farms; eight per cent of Ontario’s hog and pig farms and seven per cent of Ontario’s equine farms As the County balances the needs of a growing population and a thriving agri-food system, three key priorities have been identified: ● Leveraging the growing local consumer base and educating consumers about the sector. ● Protecting prime agricultural land as the finite, and non-renewable resource it is. ● Supporting entrepreneurship across the agri-food system.

“This report confirms our knowledge that the farmers in Wellington County are leading the way in agricultural production in Ontario. It also reinforces that our soils are a driving force behind the vibrant agri-food system in the County.

As our County and province grows, we have a responsibility to protect and grow our agri-food system, not only for our future, but also for the future of those who depend on the food we produce,” stated Andy Lennox, the warden of Wellington County. ◊ September 2023 43

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44 The Rural Voice

News

• Press release •

Watch out for the voracious Spotted lanternfly This pretty pest could put Canada’s syrups, suds and sips in a sticky situation if it survives winter weather

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colourful winged pest has eyes on your glass of wine and our iconic maple tree.

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive species of planthopper that has been spotted close to Canada’s border.

Natural Resources Canada scientists, Drs. Amanda Roe and Anna Turbelin, have been researching this destructive pest and what it might mean for Canada. The two scientists are currently studying whether the cold Canadian winters are enough to keep this invasive pest at bay if it were to make its way north.

If the spotted lanternfly were to become established in Canada, it could have a significant economic impact on our agriculture and forestry industries. The spotted lanternfly has an appetite for grape vines, fruit trees, maple trees, and hops. Vineyards in infested areas in the U.S. have experienced significant yield reductions and losses of vines due to feeding by swarms of spotted lanternflies.

Spotted lanternfly, which is native to Asia, was first detected in North America in 2014, in Pennsylvania, and has since spread to 14 other states in the eastern United States.

This invasive species is easy for people to spread accidentally, as the nymphs and adults hitchhike on vehicles and eggs are laid on a wide range of surfaces (natural and human-made). While no evidence exists that the spotted lanternfly has made its way here yet, the risk of spread into Canada is very high.

Early detection of the spotted lanternfly is paramount to effectively manage this species and stop devastation to our forestry and agriculture industries. Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian

If you spot this Spotted lanternfly, report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which are tracking this pest’s move into Canada.

Food Inspection Agency needs the public’s help to “Spot it? Snap it, catch it, report it.”

Spot it?

Keep an eye out on vehicles and outdoor items like tents, wheelbarrows, and woodpiles for signs of the spotted lanternfly. If you’re travelling or going camping to known infested areas in the US, check your vehicle, camper, trailer, or RV for any signs of the invasive pest before moving to a new location or coming home.

Snap it If you find an egg mass, nymph, or adult spotted lanternfly, get out your phone and take a picture. They like to live in groups, so if you see one, there are most likely more.

Catch it This next step favours the bold. If you find an egg mass, scrape as many of them off as you can into a bag. If you find the spotted lanternfly in a later stage, do your best to catch as many as you can. Put them in a tightly sealed container or bag, then stick it in a freezer.

Report it Take detailed notes of where you found them along with the kind of plant they were on and the geographic location as well. If you can’t catch all of them, make a note of where you see more. Then report it to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Don’t let its look fool you! This beauty is a beast. The immature nymph starts out being black with bright white spots, then turn dark red with white spots and blacklines. The winged adults sit with their wings like a tent over their backs. These wings are pale grey with pinkish hues and have many black spots covering 2/3 of the wing. The last 1/3 of the wing is a distinct patch of fine, parallel, dashed black lines. When these wings open for flight, they reveal the underwings which are red with black spots, at the base, followed a band of white then a band of black. But these looks won’t stop it from attacking your grapes, strawberries, maples, and several other plants. ◊ September 2023 45

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When outside,

be bite wise Ticks can cause Lyme disease Mosquitoes can cause West Nile virus The risk of getting sick from a bug bite is low.

But why take chances? Protect yourself and others:

Use bug repellants approved by Health Canada.

Wear long-sleeved tops and

Deadline for the

October Rural Voice

pants. Light colours are best.

Limit time outdoors during dawn and dusk.

Check your body for ticks.

Check your pets as well.

is

September 12

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46 The Rural Voice

124817 (04/2020)

Swine

• By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot •

Needle-free vaccination better for pigs and humans Veterinarian says the needle-free device delivers the vaccine into the dermal layer, creating a better immune response

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new, smart, needle-free device for vaccinating pigs is better for pigs and humans says Dr. Mike Steele, a veterinarian who is using the Hipradermic device to vaccinate for Mycoplasma pneumonia and Porcine circovirus.

“The needle-free part is valuable because there isn’t as much pain for the pigs and there is better carcass quality because no needle punctures the meat,” explains DeGroot. He works for Hipra, a company based in Spain that sells vaccines world-wide.

The company developed Hipradermic, a needle-free device that injects the vaccine into the dermal layer. It has been available in Europe for some time but is new to most Ontario pork producers.

“It’s not possible with a needle to inject into the skin but there is actually a better immune response to vaccines with this method,” says DeGroot.

Being a smart device, the Hipradermic downloads all data from the vaccination into an app. Each vaccination bottle comes with a chip for farmers to access dates, time, volume and the serial number of the vaccine for their data tracking systems.

Not only is the device less stressful to pigs, it’s better for humans too. “Growing up on a pig farm, I have been vaccinating pigs since I was a teenager. You get used to handling a needle. But with this device, there is no trigger. You just push it against the pigs so you don’t have the repetitive motion that can put strain on muscles.” The Hipradermic also reduces risk of needle injection injuries.

DeGroot says there are other needle-free devices on the market.

The Hipradermic is lighter and is provided free to farmers when they use Hipra vaccines. “It’s been available for about a year in Canada and uptake in Manitoba has been big

Dr. Mike DeGroot (left) says the Hipradermic device makes vaccinating pigs quicker, eliminates risk of needle‐ injury and reduces pig stress and carcass imperfections. because they had incentive programs,” says DeGroot. The process is newer to Ontario farmers but DeGroot says he is “adding more and more farms all the time.” Some farmers don’t want to use needles at all and since some farmers only vaccinate for circovirus and mycoplasma, they can be needle-free.

Currently, the Hipradermic device can only vaccinate for mycoplasma

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September 2023 47

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Advice

• By Lisa Boonstoppel-Pot •

Genomics is limiting genetic diversity There is no definitive when or how, but the accelerated rate of inbreeding in cattle is going to come at a price

G

enetics improvement in dairy cattle is moving at a rapid pace which is providing great benefits to production but it’s coming at a price. That price is homozygosity and inbreeding which is increasing at an alarming rate.

So says Allison Fleming, a geneticist at Lactanet Canada who has a PhD in animal breeding and focuses on genetic selection in dairy cattle. Speaking at the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium back in February, Fleming wants dairy farmers to exercise caution in genetic selection but admits scientists do not know exactly when inbreeding is going to reverse the gains and start decreasing health and fertility in animals.

“No one knows what financial and economic losses there will be or potential future implications,” said Fleming. Meanwhile, the benefit of genomics is in the hundreds of millions of dollars and currently outweighs the future negative effects of decreased genetic diversity.

With the arrival of genomics, everything changes. Farmers could breed their best animals at a younger and younger age, with genomic predictability. Only the best bulls were, and are, chosen with outlier bulls often ignored because their genetics cannot compare.

Fleming said research into genomic inbreeding looks at the actual DNA of animals to see how much related animals have in common and what is inherited. “We expect full siblings to share 12.5 per cent of their genetics but it can range from zero to 25 per cent,” explained Fleming.

“Some people are very worried about this while others suggest they are doing the best they can while others don’t consider it their problem,” said Fleming. “The public is not very aware of this issue and

Dr. Allison Fleming what it means.

Inbreeding in today’s farming climate is unavoidable, admits Fleming but farmers should care because it will lead to lack of fitness, health and fertility in future generations. “It will affect how animals can adapt to new environments or situations and affect the long-term survival of the breed,” said Fleming.

Currently, there are outcrosses available. However, they are not popular and not easy to find. Since these bulls aren’t popular with farmers, there is no reason for AI companies to buy them because the

semen won’t sell. This affects their profitability.

“When I look at active young bulls available today, I see that our inbreeding will increase and increase,” said Fleming. “I believe we need to make it easier for you to find a bull that is outcrossed to your herd.”

She predicts there will be more genetic recessives and abnormalities popping up in herds. As they do, reporting will become critical. There are forms for reporting but they are not widely used and not followed up on either, said Fleming.

Fleming also admits that not all inbreeding is bad. “We have found that inbreeding of certain characteristics has no effect whatsoever. Knowing this, we can create tools to avoid inbreeding in areas where it is not advantageous for it to continue.”

Right now, maximizing genetic gain limits genetic diversity.

However, lack of genetic diversity will have consequences for the future. Those who believe in it could choose outlier bulls but are they able, financially or mentally, to see their neighbours maximizing their genetics and production while they take the higher road with an eye to the future?

It really is a dilemma for farmers, said Fleming. ◊

September 2023 49

Markets Scott Krakar is a Grain Merchandiser with LAC Inc., Hyde Park, 519‐473‐9333

Grain markets on a roller coaster as war continues in Ukraine Grain markets have been following the recent developments in the Russia/Ukraine war very closely.

The situation is always evolving with periods of increased attacks followed by talk of de-escalation.

This pattern occurs over and over again.

While the war continues and tragedy and human suffering are

frequently reported, the grain market has zeroed in on news specific to the production and shipment of grain to export markets from the region. At earlier times in the war, reports of drone and missile attacks would cause the grain markets to rally, as uncertainty came to the market and questions arose as to the longer term effects on grain flow. While the conflict was new, there was no clarity as to how exports from the region would be affected. Over time however, as the conflict has continued, the market has witnessed continued grain flow, even when collateral damage occurs against nongrain shipping assets.

Earlier on within the conflict, once established, the Black Sea grain shipping initiative was very instrumental in enabling grain to flow from Ukrainian ports to export markets. This agreement was key in bringing food security to many nations, along with price stability to world wheat markets. And while this shipping deal is still desired and important, it is not as significant as it once was. As the conflict continued

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and assaults were made against Ukrainian port infrastructure, agreements for alternative shipping avenues were established. Recent agreements with various European countries have allowed access to export markets through various nations’ ports. This brings the market assurance that grain shipments will continue to occur from Ukraine, especially since nations that will be loading grain for Ukraine are NATO-member nations.

From this market dynamic change, the Black Sea shipping deal isn’t as important as it once was. Not that this deal isn’t desirable for ease of logistics and cost efficiency, but it isn’t absolutely necessary to move large volumes of grain from Ukraine anymore. With this movement, it is not surprising that Russia cancelled the grain initiative on July 20th.

Russia did not renew it upon expiration, yet the market took little notice, and there was no longer-term impact on pricing. Russia still maintains that they will renew the deal rapidly, if and only if their demands in respect to tariffs and banking limitations set against them are lifted.

With these shipping agreements through European nations, Ukrainian locations on the Danube River have been key for market access. A lot of capacity has been recently set up on this river location with much of it being of a more temporary nature, versus long-term large capacity grain facilities such as those found in Odessa. Through the duration of the war this location on the Danube river, which borders Romania and ships through Romanian territorial waters, had been considered safe passage.

This thought of safe passage remained until Russia launched drone and missile attacks against the region and grain assets were damaged in the onslaught. From this attack and the realization that this location was not as safe as was prior assumed, the market traded sharply higher. During this rally market players were concerned the region could possibly see a long-duration shutdown, depending on the severity of the damage experienced. Once assessed, the damage was found not to be critical to the long-term capacity of

Markets the region and consequently market prices fell the next day as quickly as they rallied.

The wheat market has followed this pattern for approximately the last month of trading. Each time a headline in the news about an attack against Ukraine has spiked the market, prices have promptly faded into the next trading session as tensions seemed to ease. Whether this trend continues is anyone’s guess.

In August, tensions built once again. At the beginning of August, Ukraine attacked a Russian naval base and an export hub which is a major shipper of Russian grain and crude oil. The potential ramifications of this attack brought more uncertainty to the grain markets.

During this attack a Russian naval fleet vessel was damaged and Russia vowed retaliation. Tensions arose even further when, around the same time, a Russian oil tanker was also struck. With a commercial vessel being struck in a military attack questions arose as to the possibility of a slow down, or even a potential cease of commercial flow from the region.

Insurance issuers have been observers of the ever-more dangers in these increasingly treacherous waters – and vessel insurance has become very expensive. President Zelensky has recently announced that if Russia continues to attack Ukrainian ports, then they too would increase attacks against Russian ports. To further increase the alert from the regions – Ukraine has set an August 23 deadline for Russian sailing in the region. After this date Ukraine has stated that even commercial vessels sailing around Russian ports in the Black Sea would be considered military targets.

Some expect this deadline as a tactic in order to force a renewal of the Black Sea shipping deal. Both parties have wheat to move into the world marketplace. Both countries have a lack of infrastructure to store sufficient volumes of grain off the field and if wheat is not exported timely it will be stranded and quality issues could arise making it unusable.◊

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September 2023 51

Woodlots Donna Lacey is a forester with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority

Touring through the forest in Neyaashiinigmiing I recently had the great fortune of taking a hike guided by a member of the Anishinaabek Nation at Cape Crocker or Neyaashiinigmiing. It was an interpretive hike, giving me the opportunity to learn about nature through a different lens.

The week prior to our hike was very hot and humid which deflated my enthusiasm. Luckily the weather turned favourable. Meeting by the roadside, the group casually chatted about sweet peas and chokecherries.

Sweet peas are a flower from my childhood that I have always enjoyed seeing in ditches. Our discussion evolved into the establishment of sweet peas and whether they were native or invasive or other. It turns out that like many plants, the more you want sweet peas to grow, the harder they may fight you. Yet those neglected roadside plants flower away for at least a month with no assistance. Plant a sweet pea or a group of sweet peas and you will need to do a little bit of research to ensure establishment. Sweet peas are not native and they may be quite aggressive with their vine-like growth, but they are not invasive.

We were admiring the heavy crop of choke cherries in the tree behind the sweet peas. Apparently, there has been an abundance of choke cherries in the Cape Croker area as the bird population drastically declined in recent years due to avian flu. These cherries will now be available for other species to enjoy until the bird populations rebuild themselves.

Our guide informed us the area we were to hike was unceded territory. We were gathered on the west side of the road which was in Canada. On the east side of the road 52 The Rural Voice

was Neyaashiinigmiing, a land outside of Canada. Unceded means that the lands were never ceded to become part of Canada. I found it odd that I have heard the term, Unceded First Nation, many times over the last number of decades, but never inquired to learn its meaning.

Our guide led us across the road, out of Canada, and into an old field or meadow to look at our first plant species. Bedstraw was seen and is said to have properties that make items more attractive to people. As

the group spread out a little to look at nearby vegetation, a pile of bear droppings was noticed, then another.

Quickly my mind has me scanning our group for the slowest member – the member that will be bear bait. As we wandered through the meadow to a patch of yummy blackberries, I was really starting to wonder if we were being led to feed the bears. Truly, my worries were more of the snakes that like to live in meadows, but it is more fun to joke about the bears.

Not too far from the blackberry

A guide (above) from the Anishinaabek Nation at Cape Croker led a hike in Neyaashiinigmiing to teach participants about native plants such as chanterelle mushroom (top left) and baneberry (top right), a poisonous plant.

bushes was a patch of milkweeds.

One of the people on the tour noticed a very tiny monarch caterpillar. This caterpillar couldn’t have been very old as it was only about a half inch in length, but there was no mistaking its unique white, yellow, and black striping. I have never seen such a young monarch caterpillar.

We entered the shade of the forest and all remarked about the temperature change. We arrived at a patch of wild ginger and some baneberry plants. We were shown the tubers of ginger and discussed the uses of ginger tea to ease gastric upset. The sample of ginger just pulled from the ground tasted a bit like Thrills gum. Quite the opposite with the baneberries. Both white and red baneberries were present but neither can be consumed as all parts of these plants are poisonous. The red baneberries look a little appealing but the white baneberries with their black dots look like dolls eyes and do not entice me at all.

As we follow the trail through the forest we arrive at a patch of stinging

nettle. Our guide informed us that she intended to make nettle rope out of this rather nasty plant. Stinging nettle is aptly named as when you come into contact with the small spines or hairs on the leaves and stem, they may pierce your skin.

When your skin is pierced by the spines it may feel a lot like a bee or wasp sting. To make rope out of nettle you need to wear gloves to collect it and then place it out to dry for a few days.

I think that everyone was quite happy to see the chanterelle mushrooms that looked ready to enjoy. It is such a colourful fungus, adding a brightness to the otherwise dull forest-floor browns. We left them to grow and produce spores for more mushrooms next year. We strolled along to some yellow birch.

A small branch was cut from the tree, and we were all given a small piece of twig to chew on. Everyone remarked about the minty flavour, some tasting spearmint others tasting wintergreen or cool mint flavours.

When we stopped for lunch, our

guide gave us each some ginger tea – wow, it was good. Finally, something that was good for us and tasted good too. Once we had finished our lunch, we were treated to some maple syrup, quite possibly the best edible product of the forest.

We were shown a marker tree and learned how such trees were formed. As the thunder started, our trip was rerouted a little for safety and to beat the rain. I look forward to the next opportunity to learn from this amazing guide. ◊

Marvin L. Smith B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F. Farm Woodland Specialist 570 Riverview Dr. Listowel, Ontario N4W 3T7 Telephone: (519) 291-2236

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September 2023 53

Agrilaw John D. Goudy is a partner in Scott Petrie LLP Law Firm, and also farms north of London.

Public service announcement — know your local tree by-laws!

If you skip ahead to the short notice at the end of this article, you’ll see that I intend to provide “information of interest to the farming community, not legal advice”. Well, this month I’m providing a piece of advice to rural landowners – know your local tree by-laws.

More specifically, landowners with a woodlot or bush

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or any forested or treed area need to be aware that there is probably a County- or Region-level tree or “woodland” protection by-law in place that prohibits injuring or destroying trees without a permit.

And that there are by-law inspection officers in the community tasked with identifying instances of noncompliance, issuing stop work orders, and laying charges. And that by-law officers may be tipped off by anyone who happens to see activity they find objectionable.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, which is why I consider this a public service announcement. Rightly or wrongly, tree or “woodland” protection by-laws exist. Rightly or wrongly, by-law officers will lay charges where trees have been injured or destroyed in contravention of the requirements of the applicable by-law. Some landowners may disagree with the existence of the bylaw and choose to take their chances in carrying out work that may contravene or does undoubtedly contravene the by-law, but they do so

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knowingly. What I seek to prevent with this article is the all-toocommon situation of landowners who are unaware that any by-law exists until they have been ordered to stop work and then charged with one or more by-law offenses.

To date, clearing trees has not been protected from the application of municipal by-laws as a “normal farm practice”. Pursuant to Section 6 of the Farming and Food Protection Act (the “Act”) in Ontario, municipal by-laws do not apply to restrict a normal farm practice carried on as part of an agricultural operation.

Farmers or other persons wanting to engage in a normal farm practice (that is part of an agricultural operation) can apply to the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board (the “Board”) for a determination as to whether a specific practice is a “normal farm practice” for the purposes of Section 6. If the Board makes a determination that a specific practice is a “normal farm practice”, then the municipal by-law in question, by operation of the Act, would not restrict the practice.

A few years ago, the Board heard an application by landowners in the County of Norfolk who contended that the removal of trees from an irregularly shaped bush to “straighten up a field” was a normal farm practice.

On that basis, the landowners argued that the County of Norfolk’s Forest Conservation ByLaw did not apply to restrict the removal of trees for that purpose.

The County disagreed. The County had already issued a stop work order to the landowners previously when a portion of the bush on their property was removed in 2013. It advised the landowners at that time that, in the future, an application for a permit would be required for any future removal. Late in 2015, a complaint was received about further removal of trees and a second stop work order was issued to the landowners. The landowners appealed that stop work order to the By-law Appeals Committee for the County but were unsuccessful.

The Board determined that the tree clearing activities proposed by

the landowners did not constitute a “normal farm practice”.

The landowners did not call expert evidence on the question of whether tree removal to straighten a field is a normal farm practice. They did not call evidence from any other agricultural operators to demonstrate that similar tree removal had been carried out in similar circumstances.

Absent evidence to support the notion that the tree removal was a “normal farm practice”, the Board found that the landowners failed to prove on a balance of probabilities that it was a “normal farm practice”.

Also, the Board went on to find that, in any event, the landowners’ tree removal would not have been a “normal farm practice” because they had cleared more trees than “would be reasonably expected to be necessary to straighten a field line and, in fact, it amounts to an attempt to clear cut a portion of the bush.”

And further, the Board noted as an aside (obiter dicta) that the County’s tree by-law does not actually restrict a “normal farm practice” if straightening a field were considered to be a normal farm practice. The Board referred to the fact that the bylaw provides for a permit process and that the requirement of a permit, the application fee and any condition of reforestation or payment in lieu “are reasonable and would not be restrictive.”

While ignorance of the law is no excuse, rural landowners might be excused for being unaware that they may not be permitted even to cut back uneven or overhanging edges of a bush or forest on their own land without obtaining a permit on the basis of a formal application, application fee, etc. when hundreds of acres of forest and farmland are destroyed each day to make room for urban sprawl. That’s just the way it is. The laws might change, but until they do landowners are best advised to be aware of them and to follow them. The price of obtaining necessary permits is often much less expensive than the consequences of non-compliance. Failure to comply with tree by-laws may result in the laying of charges and, in the case of a

conviction, in greater restrictions on future tree removal than would have been applicable in the first place had a permit been sought. ◊ ______________________________ John D. Goudy’s law practice includes real property and

environmental litigation, expropriation law, energy regulation, and regulatory offences. Agrilaw provides information of interest to the farming community, not legal advice. Readers should consult a legal professional about their particular circumstance.

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Happy Retirement Dianne Josling

Everyone at

The Rural Voice

magazine wishes you all the very best as you settle into retirement.

Thank you for your many, many years of service!

You will be truly missed.

September 2023 55

People • Press Release •

Veterinarian serves three rural counties

H

annah Jansen has been awarded the 2023 Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week prize for her work with swine and large animals as a new large animal veterinarian in Grey, Bruce and Huron counties.

Hannah grew up on a swine and cash crop farm outside of Seaforth.

Other animals on the farm included horses, goats, backyard chickens, veal, a few beef cattle, and sheep.

She loved growing up on a farm and getting to spend time caring for these animals.

Hannah did her undergraduate degree in Nursing Science and graduated to work as a Registered Nurse for three years where she worked in Tennessee first, then in Ontario. She loved the medicine and the people but missed working with the animals and the agriculture community. Hannah decided to bridge the gap between her interests and set her sights on veterinary school. After taking some required courses, working at the University of Guelph as a research technician and taking some odd jobs as a farm hand, she was elated to be accepted to the veterinary program.

As an aspiring vet she never considered working with anything other than livestock in the agriculture community. She believed that she would work full time as a swine vet.

Hannah was swayed to broaden her scope of large animal medicine while shadowing throughout second and third year at Blyth Vets. She enjoyed the herd and individual medicine that they provided to the other large animal species including cattle, small ruminants, and horses.

Hannah is currently working four days a week at South West Ontario Veterinary Services, pursuing her dreams of working as a swine veterinarian working across Ontario, including farms in both Grey and Bruce counties. She is also working one day a week and sharing the oncall schedule at Blyth Veterinary Services, working predominantly in Huron and Bruce counties as a large

56 The Rural Voice

Dr. Hannah Jansen wants to focus on swine but cares for all large animals since becoming a veterinarian and working for both South West Ontario Veterinary Services and Blyth Veterinary Services. her future endeavours! animal veterinarian.

Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week has At both practices she has enjoyed been a mainstay for the agricultural meeting the farmers and getting to industry in Grey and Bruce Counties know the various operations. As she since 1966.

The featured starts her career, it is her hope to be commodities have evolved as the part of these farm teams helping the area’s agricultural focus has changed, farmers to be economically but the mandate to provide successful and strive to provide the information to producers and animals with the most humane care.

She has a special interest in agribusiness has remained firm. applying a one-health approach to the Producers have supported our veterinary care she provides due to programming for 57 years, so the her history working in the human committee wanted to give back by health care field and her experiences establishing an annual $1,000 prize on their farm. This approach uses a in conjunction with the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College holistic approach to medicine by (OVC). The prize recognizes new incorporating a human, animal, and veterinarians entering food animal environmental health perspective. practices serving producers in Grey Hannah would like to thank the and Bruce Counties. This award farmers who have already welcomed recognizes the individual’s past her onto their farms and looks accomplishments, but also forward to meeting more. encourages their future contributions, The Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week and commitment to our rural Committee congratulates Dr. Hannah communities. ◊ Jansen, and wishes her all the best in

People • By Hetty Stuart •

“These people understand love,” says Charlie

W

hen my husband, Greg, and I read the CBC interview of a Clinton man who had moved to Newfoundland at the ripe age of 96, we were mesmerized and wondered...why?

So during this summer’s vacation to the province, when we were just miles away from his hometown of Plate Cove West, we decided to see if we could understand it better.

We drove to Round da Bay Inn, where this man Charlie helps out with the gardens. The ladies there were more than pleased to tell us in glowing words about their “adopted grandfather”. We were floored when they gave us his address but apparently Ontarians come often to visit with him and to hear his story.

We found his simple home where he greeted us like old friends. “From Goderich?!” he exclaimed, opening wide the door, his grin a mile wide.

Charlie Comrie and his wife had

spent the past 20 years visiting Newfoundland, even through her dementia which finally took her a couple years ago. The loss, followed by the pandemic, made him decide to move with his dog Shilo, to this rugged tiny town. Here, he holds court with his new friends and neighbours — right down to an 18year-old boy who had invited Charlie to his graduation! This boy is a historian, and loves to hear the war stories that come from this “foreign” man. They are fast friends.

Needless to say, Charlie claims that the biggest asset to his move is the people. This past winter, when Charlie had gotten a flat tire on the road, SEVEN vehicles ended up stopping to help him — Newfies at their best. He says he has never heard an unkind word in the 20 years he’s been here, and he spends a lot of his time at Round da Bay Inn where he is treated like family. In fact, he is quite

Hetty Stuart and Charlie Comrie often invited there for a meal when Ontarians arrive; and there is even a mug with his mug-shot on it stating: “Charlie moved here.” Clever advertising, yes, but the proceeds go to help a sick little girl in the community.

The neighbourhood looks after him — shovelling his snow in winter, weed-whacking his grass (very little manicured lawns here!) and bringing him a loaf of fresh bread or a container of fish stew on a weekly basis.

In fact, while we were visiting with him, a pounding on the back door brought in a neighbour with a very generous plate full of homemade chicken dinner for him, and I’m sure for Shilo, his dog, too...it was piled that full of food!

Just another day in the life of Charlie, he is never short of company.

He said to us, “I feel so lucky to live here. Every day, I have joy.”

This is an isolated community, barren in the eyes of the farm-rich Huron County that we all originate from, with wicked winter weather.

His eyes teared up, as he concluded: “These people understand love.”

We hope to bring back this wonderfully compassionate Newfiespirit with us when we settle back in at home. We all can learn so much by listening to other people’s stories. ◊

September 2023 57

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• Limit erosion and save topsoil • Enhance pollinator habitat

• Shelter livestock • Improve forest cover

Our staff are here to help you with grant applications, site visits and assessments, site preparation and tree planting, forest management plans, habitat improvement, and erosion control projects.

We can help you to access cost-share funding for eligible projects.

Phone Ian at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.

Visit abca.ca/forestry to 昀nd out more.

September 2023 59

Green Lumber Kiln Dried Lumber Coloured Mulch Sawdust Firewood

Preserve & Store In-Season Fruits & Vegetables

G. L. HUBBARD LIMITED

besterforest@gmail.com

Growers And Packers Of Quality Rutabagas

The Hubbard Family Dinsley St., Blyth 519-523-4554

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Apples, tomatoes, carrots, beets, squash and potatoes

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Visit our farm market and experience family farm fresh

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Open April ’til Thanksgiving 6 days a week 9:00 am - 7:00 pm; Closed Sundays 5857 Hwy. 89, RR 1 Harriston, ON N0G 1Z0 519-338-5381 www.steckles.ca

60 The Rural Voice

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Rural Voice

Business Centre To place your ad call: 519-523-4311 or email: rvads@northhuron.on.ca

Horse & Livestock Car, Utility & Recreational any design, hitches trade-ins welcome super after sales service

www.beloretrailers.ca

Full service to all boats and marine engines

ARGYLE Marine & Small Engines Inc.

33973 Church Camp Rd., Goderich 519-524-5361 Email: argylemarine1960@gmail.com

324025 Mount Elgin Rd. Mount Elgin, Ontario N0J 1N0 Jamie Belore

KIPPEN, ONTARIO 519-263-5308

Craig Robinson Mobile: 519-441-1119 Email: blossomvalleyelectricinc@gmail.com ECRA/ESA #7015754 AGRICULTURAL - RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL

REAL ESTATE

phone: 519-485-5358 toll free: 1-877-247-7227 fax: 1-519-485-6129 jbelore@gmail.com

Profitable, Actionable, Advice Crop Planning SWAT Maps/VR Scripts Soil Sampling Cropwalker Newsletter

Jonathan Zettler CCA-ON, 4R NMS 519-323-7505 jz@fieldwalker.ca fieldwalker.ca

Non-GMO & Organic Seed sales, seed cleaning, drying & licensed truck scale

• Real Estate questions • Wishing a Market Value Analysis

(Free and convenient at your property)

• Buying or Selling?

A complete line of nutritionally balanced Non-GMO feeds

“Welcome to connect with me anytime”

Gladys Munro Roasted soybean sales and custom roasting

Realtor®

Direct: 519.389.8242 Office: 519.396.3300 gladysmunro21@gmail.com 926 Queen St. Kincardine, ON

Steven: P/F: 519-363-0152 Jeffery: P: 519-363-5933

701234 Side Road 5 RR #4 Chesley, ON N0G 1L0

September 2023 61

B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

KRAEMER CONCRETE LTD.

PACKERS: WE BUILD RUBBER TIRE PACKER SPECIALISTS

Two Locations to Serve You!

5595 Road 130 Brunner N0K 1C0

220 Industrial Park Dr., Brussels N0G 1H0

Fax: 595-4903

Fax: 887-8764

519-595-2343

519-887-8763

Toll Free at 1-888-RING-KCL

B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

VITAMIN/MINERAL & SPECIALTY FEED PRODUCTS FOR LIVESTOCK

69819 London Rd., R.R. #1 Centralia, ON 1IPOF t t 'BY & .BJM LQBMFO!LFOQBM PO DB t XXX LFOQBM PO DB

AGRICULTURAL

Order Now Also large fold-up steel drum packers, lawn & estate rollers, custom manufactured

RR #2, Arthur, Ont. (519) 848-2799

NOW BOOKING VENDORS

Email: nick.cadotte@5amigos.net ~ Phone: 519-365-8027

RESIDENTIAL

LEON BRUBACHER 9539 AYTON ROAD, RR#4 HARRISTON, ON N0G 1Z0 519-338-5497

NEW CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS

519-524-0253

Lucknow Auto Parts Supply 37521 Amberley Rd., Lucknow 519-528-2220

Spike’s Auto Parts

252 Queen St., Kincardine 519-396-1515 Email: lap@porters.ca

62 The Rural Voice

T GENERAL REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS OF EQUIPMENT T T CUSTOM WELDING MIG & TIG T T SHEET METAL FORMING T

KEY STOCK T KEY WAYS

MarCrest Backhoe

QUALITY METAL ROOFING, SIDING & TRIMS

Septic Installations • Tile Repairs Small Footings • Silo Footings

Maynard Martin

519-363-3757

2512 Kressler Road RR 1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

2051 Bruce Rd. 19, R.R. 1 Chesley, ON N0G 1L0

Tel. 519-699-0507

The Better Choice, Plain and Simple

Organic Growers Wanted Long term production contracts available for HR Winter Wheat, Winter Barley, Winter Spelt and Winter Canola Tile Installed, GPS Surveying, Excavator, Backhoe, Dozer Work, Weeping Beds Installed

FAMILY BUSINESS SINCE 1949 Mark Cook Main 519-393-5656 Cell 519-276-7402 4283 Line 42, Sebringville, ON N0K 1X0

2023

Queens

Also available in 2023 : production contracts for Soybeans, Edible Beans, Sunflowers, Peas contact: Wehrmann Grain & Seed Ltd

RR 1 Ripley, Ontario N0G 2R0 Cell: 519.955.0386 • Office: 519.395.3126 • Fax: 519.395.2935

e-mail: ingasven@hurontel.on.ca

www.wehrmanngrainandseed.ca

Foundation - Frames - Jars - Extractors Complete Beehives - Pollen Traps - and so much more!

37452 Glen’s Hill Road, RR 2, Auburn, Ont. N0M 1E0

Hours Monday: 9-5 Tues - Friday: By Appointment Sat: 9-5

Tel. 519-529-7212 519-492-0565 sales@widemansbeesupply.ca www.widemansbeesupply.ca

87690 Malcolm Line. RR1 Gowanstown ON. N0G 1Y0

STEFFEN WELL DRILLING 519-531-0355

Snowblowers, Quick-attach Buckets, Sweepers, Woodsplitters, Crimper Rollers, Land Rollers, Stone Windrowers, etc. smythwelding.com info@smythwelding.com

DL Distributing Dave Mustard 519-794-3334 Authorized Dealer

TEESWATER, ON

mike@steffenwelldrilling.ca

• Agricultural & domestic water wells • Well Cleanouts • Pump Testing • Camera Inspection • Irrigation Wells • Dewatering Services

Tough on Winter, Easy on You

Email: dlmustard2@gmail.com 556735 Strathaven Road, Chatsworth, ON

September 2023 63

B U S I N E S S C E N T R E

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED

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COMING EVENTS --------------------------------------------

COMING EVENTS --------------------------------------------

DAIRY -------------------------------------------Screened bedding sand, delivered.

Call 519-625-8242 or 519-2741490.

-------------------------------------------FOR SALE -------------------------------------------Rosco grain bins for sale – 19' and 14' diameter. Parts available. Used grain bins wanted for parts or reuse. Closed Sundays, 519-3383920.

-------------------------------------------Farm buildings, homes, cottages repaired, remodelled, restored and jacked up. Also roofing, siding, doors, windows, cement work, foundations, piers, framework, decks, doors, fencing, beams, eavestroughing - repaired, replaced or installed. Brian McCurdy, 519375-0958/519-986-1781.

-------------------------------------------Available certified fall wheat varieties and fall rye. For pricing contact Courtney Grain & Seed (2015) Ltd., 225 Hwy 21, RR 1 Ripley. Phone 519-395-2972. Ask for Carmon or Mitch.

-------------------------------------------Webwood Truss – We manufacture roof trusses and floor joists, and supply steel roofing, siding and trims. Come visit our shop at 382 Whitechurch St., RR 5, Lucknow, N0G 2H0.

-------------------------------------------Fall Sale - September 18-30 on large variety of cottons, flannels, fleeces, quilts, etc. Laura's Fabrics Retail Dry Goods, 10 kms north of Kinloss to Sideroad 30 Brockton, 1st farm on left #418.

--------------------------------------------

October 13-15th, 2023 General Exhibits, Field to Fork Display, Midway, Scavenger Hunter, Photo Booth running all weekend long.

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Leadership MOJO The Magic Showin and Balloon energy and Twisting, Super Dogs, Who Grew My Soup, Fireenvironmental Guy, Heavy design and Light Horse Shows, Ontario 4 Horse Hitch Devon Henry 519-505-2473 Draft Series, Pet Show, Musical 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels Entertainment and more.

devonjhenry@hotmail.com Admission: • Student – $5 • Day Pass – $8 • Weekend Pass – $10 • Weekend Family Pass – $20

Follow us on FB or IG for more information or on our website at walkertonagriculturalsociety.com

--------------------------------------------

Deadline

for the October Rural Voice is September 12

CONSTRUCTION -------------------------------------------Liquid manure tanks, bunker silos, foundations and pads. All are 100% engineered. Serving Ontario since 1968. De Jong & Sons Ltd. 519-348-0523.

• Tree Seedlings • Nursery Stock • Shade Trees • Native Species

Leadership in energy and environmental design

Devon Henry 519-505-2473 84772 McDonald Line • Box 616 • Brussels

devonjhenry@hotmail.com 64 The Rural Voice

Now taking Fall orders

888-226-6344

www.hrichardsonfarms.com

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED

LIVESTOCK BEDDING -------------------------------------------MIRACLE FIBRE Livestock Bedding.

Also, coarse wood mulch for horse and cattle walkways, wet areas around water troughs and bush lanes. Also available is dairy pack starter bedding. 519-669-2456.

Sittler Grinding Inc. Rick Sittler.

-------------------------------------------LIVESTOCK FOR SALE -------------------------------------------Suffolk Sheep - Purebred breeding ram and ewe lambs. Born in February/March. GenOvis tested, M-V negative, closed flock.

Florence Pullen, Clinton. 519-2337896 W -------------------------------------------Cuni-ON – Supplying Europe’s best breeding stock for the commercial rabbit producer. Bucks and does available year-round. 519-4508308. CuniON@tcc.on.ca 06-1W -------------------------------------------LIMOUSIN breeding bulls, quiet, thick, semen tested, guaranteed breeders, delivery included.

Posthaven Limousin, John Post, 519-766-7178. www.posthaven limousin.com 06-W -------------------------------------------McKague Charolais bulls, registered purebred yearlings, polled and semen tested. Heifers available.

Wingham, 519-357-3808.

-------------------------------------------Red Angus, Red Angus-Simmental and Simmental bred heifers for sale. Bred to a calving ease Red Angus bull for spring 2024 calving.

Silver Springs Farms, James, Joan and Robert McKinlay 519-5996236 W -------------------------------------------MARKETS -------------------------------------------Flesherton & District Farmers’ Market – A “true farmers’ market”.

Locally grown, produced and handmade, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturdays until Thanksgiving. 101 Highland Drive, Flesherton, 519924-0777.

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RESTORATION -------------------------------------------The Olde Tyme Radio Centre – antique radios, clocks, gramophones, telephones; sold/ restored. (vintage autoclock radio, speedometer, tachometer repaired). Belgrave 519-357-4304, www.oldtymeradio.ca -------------------------------------------SERVICES -------------------------------------------Cronin Poured Concrete Ltd. Since 1976. Liquid manure tanks to 200'.

Heights of 8'-14' (1-pour). All jobs engineer specifications/inspections - guaranteed. Best firm quote in Ontario. Mark Cronin, 519-274-5000. www.croninpouredconcrete.ca --------------------------------------------

SERVICES --------------------------------------------

DONALD A ANDREW ACCOUNTING

CUSTOM BALING

DANNY’S

Custom Painting & Sandblasting 86362 Harper Line RR 1 Lucknow N0G 2H0 (just north of Zion Road)

Specializing in on Farm Pest Management Serving Southwestern ON, Golden Horseshoe, GTA Email: info@sgsltd.ca

519-692-4232 www.sgspestmanagement.ca

EGGER FARMS

Accounting & Income Tax Services for FARMS, BUSINESSES & INDIVIDUALS 296 Ross St., Lucknow

Ph. 519-528-3019

• 3x3 Bales Automatic Acid Applications, Roto Cutter.

Individual Bale Wrapping 6' bales

Call Fritz: 519-292-0138

RESISTS CRACKING & PEELING Water based, solvent free, Liquid Rubber Seal Roof creates an adhered, flexible membrane.

SURFACES • Metal (inc. galvanized & aluminum) • Wood • Concrete • Manure Pits • UV Resistant

-------------------------------------------WANTED -------------------------------------------Young farmer looking for land rent, sharecrop, or custom work opportunities. Good environmental stewardship and professionalism.

Short and long term. 519-200-7845 or hundt.chris@outlook.com -------------------------------------------Farmland – Long or short term. Cash rent, share crop. Contact Paul at Hill & Hill Farms, 519-2333218 or 519-525-3137 or email: paul.hillhill@tcc.on.ca -------------------------------------------Scrap Cars Wanted – 20, 30, 40 yd. scrap metal bins available. We sell quality used auto parts. Wanted to buy – scrap cars, trucks, farm machinery, heavy equipment.

Kenilworth Auto Recyclers. 519323-1113.

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September 2023 65

National Farmers Union – Ontario NEWSLETTER ● Strong Communities ● Sound Policies ● Sustainable Farms

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Phone: 1-888-832-9638 E-mail: office@nfuontario.ca Website: www.nfuontario.ca

The metamorphosis of Lucky Bug Farm

hen the C O V I D-19 pandemic began, Aliyah Fraser was an urban planner. Months later, she found herself with hands in the ground, owner and operator of Lucky Bug Farm.

Despite her lifelong passion for food, Aliyah had never considered farming prior to 2020. “Because of who I saw as a farmer and the image I had of farming, I never thought that it could be something for me,” she says. “So many people had that view of farming: that it has to be large scale, you have to have a tractor, you have to own land. You kind of have to be a white person. And so, I just never saw myself in that career.”

The pandemic soon sparked a shift in perspective. Like many, she started growing food for herself during that time, which led to a desire to have a direct impact on the food system. She wanted to increase awareness of “all of the different ways that farming can happen, […] and who can be doing it, and on various different scales,” she says. It was also around this time that Aliyah discovered Cheyenne Sundance of Sundance Harvest, a young Black farmer who began her operation on rented land. Farming, Aliyah realized, was something she could do.

With no prior agriculture or business experience, Aliyah dove headfirst into farming. In 2021 she founded Lucky Bug Farm, named for her family nickname of “ladybug” and her hopeful outlook. Lucky Bug Farm is a small market garden where she cultivates vegetables on rented land in Baden, Ontario. This season, she’s experimenting with adding vegetable jams to her repertoire.

Aliyah mainly distributes Lucky Bug Farm produce through a C S A, relishing the opportunity to bridge the gap between farmer and eater.

While Aliyah left her urban planning profession behind, her background continues to shape her worldview and activism. Especially striking is her vision for the future of farming, one characterized by community and diversity.

“Housing policies in rural areas need to change to accommodate farming in community together,” she says. By providing adequate on-farm housing, alternative farming models such as co-ops and community-based initiatives can flourish. On-site housing also increases accessibility for new and young farmers who may struggle to secure land otherwise.

Aliyah clarifies that allowing secondary housing does not equate to transforming farmland into suburban areas; instead, it allows farm workers and farmers to have living conditions that enable their farming careers.

Aliyah also believes that urban agriculture can be a powerful tool in exposing people to the various forms that agriculture can assume. About representation of farm types, she says “It’s vital to support small-scale farmers and show how vital smallscale farmers are to a climate resilient, just future.” Urban agriculture showcases that farming can be small-scale, carried out on

rented land, and pursued by young individuals without familial ties to farming.

Aliyah’s commitment to change is evident in her active involvement with the NFU. She sits on the Local 340 Board and actively participates in both the BIPOC and Youth Caucus.

Through her work in membership development for the NFU-O, she has fostered connections with numerous farmers across Ontario. Aliyah also co-hosts the podcast “Sow and Grow,” which delves into the factors shaping Canadian agriculture.

Outside of Lucky Bug Farm, Aliyah works off-farm at the White Owl Native Ancestry Association.

Her responsibilities primarily revolve around community-based growth at Schneider Haus, a national historic site in Kitchener. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing video games (current favorites include Animal Crossing and Legend of Zelda), and watching Studio Ghibli films alongside her partner and cat.

Aliyah may not have followed a conventional trajectory to farming, but Lucky Bug Farm stands as a testament to her courage and willingness to carve out her own unique path to agriculture. ◊

Local News/Events ● Local 320 (Bruce) & Local 335 (Huron) will be hosting a joint screening of “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” on Sat., Sept. 16 at Meeting Place Organic Farm (86016 Creek Line, off of Belgrave Road near Lucknow)! A free BBQ with home-raised meat sausages and hamburgers, as well as salads and drinks will start at 5:00 p.m.; the film will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Please bring your own chairs and blankets. Popcorn will be available during the film. For more info, contact Linda at local320@nfuontario.ca. ● Save the date! Local 344 (Grey) is hosting an event on land access & sharing on Sat., Sep. 23 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Massey Hall (496765 Veterans Rd N, Chatsworth, ON) in Grey County. Dinner & childcare will be provided. More details to come in the NFU-O e-news and on social media in the next few weeks!

A subscription to The Rural Voice is one of the benefits of being an NFU-O member 66 The Rural Voice

Perth County Pork Producers NEWSLETTER

W

Henry Groenestege, President phoekstra@hotmail.ca / 226-580-0174 * The Rural Voice is provided to Perth County Pork Producers by the PCPPA perthcountyporkproducers@gmail.com

What do you want to do with your farm?

hen driving through the country, have you ever noticed some of the fabrication businesses that have almost expanded to the point of being an on-farm factory? When does a busness out-grow the farm?

OMAFRA prepared the “Guidelines for on farm Permitted Uses” to assist municipalities in what OMAFRA feels protects “prime farmland” for our food system as well as provide opportunities for different income streams for farmers. It’s important to remember that it is a guideline. It is not a rule, nor a policy. Therefore, each municipality can interpret or choose to follow it or not. If your municipality does not have language and provisions in their official plan or zoning by-law, they will use this as a basis for new documents or requests for zone amendments.

There are three definitions in the guideline for activities that happen on a farm.

1. Agriculture uses – which are normal farm operations and permitted on all agriculture-zoned lands. It does include uses such as horse riding arenas, sheds, produce washing and cold storage, grain dryers, PYO fields, and accommodations for farm labour.

2. Agriculture Related Uses – are farm and commercial uses that directly relate to farm operations and benefit from being in close proximity to farms and rural. Generally providing direct products and services to farms as their primary activity. Examples include; produce storage and distribution, farmer’s markets selling produce from the area, cider and wine making, grain dryers, abattoirs, farm equipment repair shop, farm supply store, auction house.

It’s important to note here that wine making is related, but tasting is not. It’s an example of a very fine line between related and diversified uses.

3. On Farm-Diversified Uses – uses that are secondary to the principal agriculture use of the property and is limited in area. Uses could include, home occupations, agritourism, value added beyond the surrounding agriculture area (i.e. cheese factory not on a dairy), antique shop, BnB, overnight accommodations, cafes, restaurants, event venues, equine events, retreats, zip-lines, play farms, etc.

The two per cent rule!

To ensure that farmland is preserved and primarily serves agricultural purposes, OMAFRA has recommended that on-farm diversified uses be limited to two per cent of the area of the property, but not more than one hectare. This area is calculated by adding all the areas associated with the on-farm diversified uses together such as, septic, parking, buildings, pay area, patios, lanes, etc. You can see how you will hit the two per cent quite quickly!

As commodity cycles rise and fall, it is important to have strong policies based on guidelines like this to ensure our land is available to feed future generations. I think that land use policies are essential to ensure that the land is used to serve the needs of the community, and that these uses are not changed without consulting the community. Yes, it means more paperwork before you build. Yes, it limits what you can do with your

land, but it makes us better neighbours. A guideline like this makes me wonder if the four severable residences per farm proposal really came from the same government??

Thanks to Veld Architect for making me aware of this issue and summarising the guideline. If you want a lot more information on the rationale behind this guideline, and it’s related provincial policy statements, you can find the official guide here: ●http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca /english/landuse/facts/permittedusegu ide.pdf ~Source, Craig Hulshof, from a blog by Krista Hulshof

LOCAL PORK PRODUCTS AVAILABLE Fill your freezer with local pork products Order today from: Tanya and Darryl Terpstra (519-291-7603) or visit Leis Feeds in Milverton – Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon BBQ services for large groups are also available, contact: perthcountyporkproducers@gmail.com for more details.

Pork supplied by: Perth County Pork Producers September 2023 67

519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 Grey County Federation Email: grey@ofa.on.ca Website: greyfederation.ca of Agriculture * The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Grey County by the GCFA

GCFA supports Saugeen Valley Safety Village The Safety Village features Interactive Classrooms and a Miniature Village with down-sized buildings, paved roadways, traffic lights, road signs, and hands-on safety demonstration sites. They offer full-and half-day Safety Programs focusing on school-age children from kindergarten to grade six for attending schools at no cost.

GCFA donated two mini-tractors to the village. Students are able to ride around the village in jeeps, and now tractors, to learn proper technics and about sharing the road safely.

To further their support to the village and agricultural education to our youth, GCFA is undertaking an initiative to “Build a Barn” at the Safety Village. With input from Safety Village committee and the federation, plans are underway for 2024.

To support this idea, GCFA is having a fundraiser evening on October 13 in Flesherton. Silent and live auctions as well as dinner and entertainment. Please follow is on Facebook and Twitter to get details as they become available.

GCFA presents OCTOBER 13 Kinplex, Flesherton Tickets available at Eventbrite

Dom Pare

If you would like to be a sponsor for the event please reach out to our

office at 519-364-3050 or email grey@ofa.on.ca. ◊

Grey County Federation of Agriculture

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING November 1 Social: 6:30 p.m. / Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Grey Ag Services, Markdale

Grey and Bruce County Federations of Agriculture present:

Jeff McEnery

Proceeds are going towards the “Build a Barn at the Safety Village” project the GCFA is working on.

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Grey County by the GCFA.

68 The Rural Voice

Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca website: brucefederation.ca

519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551

* The Rural Voice is provided to NEWSLETTER OFA Members in Bruce County by the BCFA BCFA congratulates Tommy Cooper award winner Jessica Cook

The Tommy Cooper award is presented annually by Bayshore Broadcasting and the Owen Sound Sun Times to a person making important contributions to agriculture and rural living in Grey and Bruce Counties. It is named in memory of Tommy Cooper, who was the Grey County agricultural representative from 1920-1959 and dedicated his life to agriculture.

“I really want to thank everyone who nominated me and felt I was deserving of the award,” Jessica Cook says. “I really do what I do because I love the people I’ve met and the places it’s taken me. I really did not expect to be recognized with such an honourable award.”

Cook is passionate about animals and has been with Markdale Veterinary Services since 2012. She has also been involved with several agricultural organizations, including Dundalk 4-H, the Dundalk Agricultural Society and the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies.

She currently sits on the OAAS District 10 executive, which represents 25 local fair boards in Bruce and Grey counties. Cook has volunteered with the Dundalk Fall Fair since she was a kid. She has also been running the Dundalk Agricultural Society ambassador competition since 2009-10.

“She is an inspiration with youth and helps promote leadership within our youth through our ambassador

and 4-H programs,” says OAAS District 10 leader Mike Dupuis in a letter of support. “Jess has assisted with roundtable discussions with the OAAS and the Alberta Agricultural Societies in promoting the youth in our communities and believes in succession planning. After all, if we do not inspire our youth, where is our future going?”

Congratulations to Jessica on the honourable achievement. ◊

Bruce County Federation of Agriculture

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING October 20 Social: 6:30 p.m. / Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Walkerton Legion Entertainment by:

Ron Martin - Magician and Illusionist

BCFA 2023 MEETINGS • September 25 • October 20 • November 13

SMV SIGN If you require a new SMV sign for your equipment before heading out on the road, contact the BCFA office, there are some available to members.

Tickets available on Eventbrite or contact the Federation office at 519-364-3050 ext. 1

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Bruce County by the BCFA.

September 2023 69

Perth County Federation of Agriculture Email: perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com Website: www.perthcountyfarmers.ca Office: 1-833-229-6834 Julie Danen, President: 519-801-9200

Safety must by prioritized this harvest season Submitted by Sam Knechtel PCFA Director As the fields ripen and the season turns towards harvest, it’s crucial to take a moment to review the fundamental aspects of safety when working on the farm and with equipment. In the dynamic environment of a farm, prioritizing safety can mean the difference between a successful harvest season and a tragic accident.

First and foremost, equipment maintenance is the backbone of farm safety. Prior to harvest season, every piece of machinery should be thoroughly inspected and serviced.

Look out for worn out parts, hydraulic leaks, or anything that isn’t functioning optimally. Neglecting maintenance could lead to equipment failure at crucial moments, potentially resulting in accidents.

While maintenance is a critical aspect, equally important is appropriate training for operating machinery. An inadequately trained worker can pose a significant risk to themselves and others around them.

Ensuring everyone on your team who is going to operate machinery has received the necessary training and can handle the equipment confidently and safely is paramount.

When operating heavy machinery, always maintain a safe distance from other equipment. Avoid the “danger zone” — the area immediately around the machinery, especially when it’s operational. This rule is critical for all personnel, not just the operators.

Additionally, wearing high-visibility clothing can be crucial in enhancing visibility, thereby preventing accidents.

Another often overlooked aspect is fatigue. Long hours and the rush to complete work can lead to exhaustion, which significantly increases the risk of accidents. Ensure workers take breaks when needed and

don’t overexert themselves to the point of exhaustion.

Furthermore, remember to ensure all safety guards and shields are in place on equipment. These parts exist for a reason – to protect operators and bystanders from flying debris and moving parts. If a guard or shield is damaged, replace it immediately.

Never operate equipment with missing or broken safety components.

When it comes to farm safety, children need special attention. While they might be eager to help or just curious about the machinery, they often lack the awareness of potential hazards. Always be aware of little

ones in the yard when operating equipment, they’ll have their time in the driver’s seat soon enough.

As we move into this year’s harvest season, let’s remember that no amount rushing is worth a life.

Our collective responsibility is to ensure that each person steps onto the farm knowing they are in a safe environment, and return home to their families at the end of the day in good health. By making farm safety our number one priority, we can ensure a successful, and most importantly, safe harvest season. Stay safe, stay productive, and have a bountiful harvest! ◊

Equipment maintenance is the backbone of farm safety but appropriate training for operating machinery is also vital to keep farm workers safe during harvest.

Save the date!  Perth County Federation of Agriculture

Annual Harvest Gala Thursday, November 16, 2023 Arden Park Hotel, Stratford For tickets, e-mail perthcountyfedofag@gmail.com, call 1-833-229-6834 or ask any director.

* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Perth County by the PCFA.

70 The Rural Voice

Index Adam Lesperance ......................30 Apples ............................................2 Argyle Marine ..............................61 Bautec Industries Inc ..................60 Belore Trailers..............................61 Bernie McGlynn Lumber ............47 Bervie Supply ..............................32 Bester Wood Products................60 Bio-Ag Consultants ....................27 Blossom Valley Electric Inc ........61 Bluewater Angus Sale ................17 Canadian Co-operative Wool ....32 Chalmers Fuels............................42 Chatsworth Ag Society ..............64 CleanFix North America ....Cover 3 Crop Quest Inc ............................55 Crafter’s Corner ..........................48 Cross County Eavestrough ........37 DJ Henry Homes & Renos ..........64 DL Distributing ............................63 Day Trips & Destinations ..............7 Easy Lift Doors Ltd ......................12 Egger Farms ................................65 Fall Harvest....................................5 Farm to Table ..........................9, 11 Fieldwalker Agronomy ................61 Five Star Seeds Limited ..............61 Gerber’s Workwear ....................44 Gladys Munro ..............................61 Green Valley Heating Inc ............15 Greenville Liquid Plant Food ......51 Grey Agricultural Services..........42 Grey-Bruce Construction ..........27 GRK Products ..............................51 Hanover Honda..............................6 Harold Jones Enterprises ..........62 Hayden Water Wells....................25 Hearing Life Canada Ltd ............21 Hill & Hill ............................Cover 2 Huron Motor Products ................44 HPPH ................................30,46,71 Huron-Perth Woodlot Assoc ......53 International Plow Match ....39, 40 JA Porter Holdings Ltd ................21 Kenpal Farm Products Inc....29, 62 Kingwood Bins....................Cover 6 Kraemer Concrete Ltd ................62 Lakeside Radio Broadcasting ....62 Lakeside Shelving & Racking ......11 Lambton Museum ..............Cover 3 Leon Brubacher ..........................62 Lisa Thompson MPP ....................17 Live Landscape ..........................37 Lucknow Auto Parts Supply ......62 Mapleview Agri Ltd ......................13 MarCrest Backhoe ......................63 Mark Cook Farm Drainage Inc....63 Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd ....54 Marvin L Smith Forestry..............53 McIntee - Darren Martin ..............71 McLeod Water Wells Ltd ............27 Michael’s Stabling........................19 Mike Boven Carpentry ................62 MNP ............................................44

Moore Hemsworth Ins Group ....27 Morris Sachs Silo Construction ..46 MRC Wireless ..............................23 Nature’s Wave Inc ......................25 North Huron Carpentry Inc ..........15 Nuclear Waste Management ......15 Nuhn Forage Inc..........................57 Nutrient Management ................48 Ontario Mutual Ins Assoc ..Cover 4 Parker & Parker ..................Cover 5 Preserve & Store ........................60 R&M Gorman ..............................62 RBC Ag West ..............................46 RCS Forestry Mulching ..............50 Ridgeway Metals ........................63 Rural Voice Books ......................41 Schmidt’s Farm Drainage............30 Schweiss Doors ..........................42

Smyth Welding ............................63 Steffen Well Drilling ....................63 Stratford Agri Analysis................32 Stratford Crane Rental ..............49 Superior Barn Painting ......Cover 7 SWO Diesel Inc ..................Cover 6 Townsley Barn Painting ..............65 Tree Planting & Maint. ..........58,59 Triple P Consulting ......................31 Trouw Nutrition ............Back Cover Usborne & Hibbert ......................29 Varna Grain ........................Cover 2 WD Hopper & Sons Ltd ..............37 Waddell Engineering Ltd ............33 Walkerton Ag Society ................64 Wehrmann Grain & Seeds ..........63 Wideman’s Bee Supply ..............63

Darren Martin

McIntee Real Estate www.darrenmartinrealty.ca

Realtor

Wilfred McIntee & Co. LTD. Brokerage

STUNNING WATER FRONT FARM $1 ,7 45 ,0

00

99 ACRE CROP FARM $1 ,5 75 ,0 00

519-242-6937

darren.martin@mcintee.ca 220 ACRE PASTURE FARM

$1 ,7 75 ,0 00

1600+ feet water frontage North of Durham. Fish, boat, swim, or sit and enjoy the privacy. It feels like a lakefront! 70-acre property with 30 acres of workable land, high rolling hills, and 30 acres of mature mixed forest. Large brick home and bank barn.

99 acre property on Concession 2 is just minutes North of Tiverton. With 84 acres of workable sandy loam soil, this farm would be a perfect addition to your cash crop operation. Featuring a solid gravel entrance off of a paved road.

220 acre pasture farm minutes from Tiverton and Bruce power.

115 acres of cleared pasture.

Very solid page wire perimeter fence surrounds the rolling pasture land. 35 acres consist of mature forest and the remaining 70 acres is environmentally protected land with a scenic creek running down the middle.

MLS®#: 40390402

MLS®#: 40374582

MLS®#: 40393131

September 2023 71

HURON

42 First Avenue, Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 519-482-9642 or 1-800-511-1135

County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER

HCFA distributes grocery bags for Food Day Canada

Website: www.hcfa.on.ca Email: ofahuron@tcc.on.ca

Upcoming Events September 4 - Labour Day. September 8-10 - Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association’s 62nd Reunion. For details visit: blythsteamshow.com September 12-14 - Outdoor FarmShow, 744906 Oxford Road 17, Woodstock. For details visit: www.outdoorfarmshow.com September 13 - Elementary School Fair, Belgrave.

September 15-17- Seaforth Fair.

Visit the website for more details: www.seaforthagriculturalsociety.on.ca September 15-16 - Lucknow Fall Fair.

For details visit www.lucknowagsociety.com

Insulated Grocery Bags! The HCFA distributed insulated grocery bags to nine grocery stores in Huron County on the weekend of August 5 to celebrate Food Day Canada. Each bag included a few informative materials on agriculture. Thank you to the grocers who distributed these complimentary bags and thank you to the OFA Revive Fund for support towards this project. Pictured are HCFA board members and OFA staff packing the 2,000 bags with materials for distribution.

Huron County Federation of Agriculture

ANNUAL MEETING October 27, 2023 Social time: 6:30 p.m.

Meal: 7:00 p.m.

Clinton Royal Canadian Legion Guest Speaker: Dr. Wayne Caldwell on Rural Planniong Contact the office for tickets – $10 per person

Board Member Opportunity!  Do you have a passion for food and farming?  Are you interested in the issues and priorities facing Huron County Agriculture?

Being a part of the HCFA Board of Directors would give you the opportunity to represent your local farming community and benefit Huron County Agriculture. If you have any questions about what being a board member involves please contact any of our current directors or the Huron County Federation of Agriculture office.

September 19-20 - Brussels Fall Fair.

Details at: www.brusselsfallfair.ca September 29-30 - Howick Turnberry Fall Fair. Details at: www.howickagriculturalsociety.ca Huron County Federation of Agriculture

BOARD MEETING Monday, September 25 - 8:00 p.m.

Vanastra office

Send in your nominations!

The Huron County Federation of Agriculture is collecting nominations for the yearly Huron County Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award.

When sending in your nomination please include the name, address and phone number of the nominee. Your nomination should include an explanation for the nomination such as the person or group’s contribution(s) to agriculture and rural life in Huron County.

The nomination must be signed by the nominator. Send nominations to the HCFA office.

DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

HCFA OFFICE The office is open on Mondays and alternate Fridays 9 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Rural Voice is provided to all OFA members in Huron County by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture

72 The Rural Voice

FARM LIFE FACTS & FINDS

Crop Facts: One bushel of wheat yields approximately 60 pounds of whole wheat flour Livestock Facts: Cows have a memory of about 3 years

Food Facts: Empire Apples grow right here in Ontario.

Empire Apples are a cross between Red Delicious & McIntosh

 House & Barn Painting

Liquid Rubber Sealant Uses:  Roof Maintenance & Restorations  Foundations  Bins

 Pressure Washing  Asphalt Coatings  Sand & Air Blasting  Roofs & Walls  Elevator Legs  Lightning Rod Systems  Heavy Duty Seamless Eavestroughing  Fully Insured

We’re also certified applicators of Liquid Rubber

 Free Estimates

Towson Bailie 519-878-1273 Office 519-268-8500

Liquid Rubber Features:  Waterproof  Adheres to almost any surface  Resists Cracking & Chipping  Flexible in all weather

www.barnpainting.ca DORCHESTER

A knowledgeable apprach for an efficient transition to lacatation.

Contact your local Shur-Gain dealer for more information.

HENSALL CO-OP Londesboro 519-523-9606 800-265-9000 Zurich 519-236-7155 800-565-7155 Ripley 519-395-5955 855-895-5955 Alisa Craig 519-232-4449

MCBRAYNE

HOLSTEIN FEED MILL (2015) LTD. Holstein 519-334-3424

FEEDS & NEEDS LTD. Dresden 519-683-4439

THE HITCHING POST (2019) LTD. St. Marys 519-284-2360

TROUW NUTRITION CANADA INC. Tavistock 519-655-2033