Author: Owen Roberts

Farmers need to get out in front of public anger over rising food prices. They’re an easy target, especially when most consumers don’t realize just how much the price of fertilizer and energy – both major expenses in food production – have sky-rocketed. Photo: FarmandDairy.com

U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack is pumping about $1 billion in USDA funding into pilot projects designed to move food production closer to net zero emissions, without reducing yields. More than 1000 prorojects have been submitted to-date. Vilsack says he expects to see “enormous opportunities” come out of this initiative. Photo: usda.gov

McCain Foods Limited and MacDonald’s Canada are putting up $1 million to show potato farmers how to adopt regenerative growing practices that are good for the environment. Encouraging growers to reduce tillage and chemical applications and increase biodiversity are positive moves. But although the environment comes out a winner, consumers are losers when sustainably grown potatoes are turned into fast-food french fries.

When it comes to school lunchboxes, keep things simple with fruits and vegetables. There’s plenty of great information available on every food topic, but what’s most important is that kids enjoy eating what you’ve sent and it’s good for them too. Photo: Food-Guide-Canada.ca

Earlier this week, US lawmakers agreed to take a $20-billion gamble on what’s called climate-smart farming practices, as well as investments in renewable power, biofuels and forestry. With climate change upon us, there’s no time to lose. Research innovations that produce more food with less environmental impact will be essential. Image: dairynow.ca