Climate change and agriculture are closely connected. Agriculture makes up 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, excluding on-farm fossil fuel usage and fertilizer production processes. Canada has pledged to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the economy by 40 percent and reduce agricultural emissions by 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. In order to meet these targets, changes across the agricultural industry are necessary.
With so many external stressors threatening our natural ecosystems, some farmers have turned to rebuilding or preserving natural spaces on their farmland. If done correctly, this practice can prove enormously beneficial to the farm and its surrounding environment. So what kinds of natural landscapes can farmers rebuild, and what kind of care will these new spaces require?
Grains are extremely valuable to organic farmers—they can serve as a main crop, as feed or as a cover crop to reduce weeds and build soil health. At the EFAO conference’s Grain Buyers Meet and Greet, sponsored by the Organic Council of Ontario, organic small grain growers from across Ontario’s organic sector had the opportunity to network and address some of the most common questions and concerns regarding small grain production and marketing.
Join the Organic Council of Ontario's Annual General Meeting on March 31st, 2022! We invite OCO members and the general public to attend and participate in exploring priorities for OCO in 2022, informative presentations, and Organic Updates.
The Organic Council of Ontario is looking for an enthusiastic, dedicated and dynamic Events and Communications Specialist who is passionate about agriculture and the environment. Ideal candidates will have a balance of left and right brain thinking with both sharp attention to detail, technical know-how, problem solving skills, administrative and logistical organizational prowess; as well as an eye for digital marketing, the capacity to parse complex issues into clear sentences, strategic thinking and political acumen.
There is a wealth of research that explores the diverse environmental benefits of organic agriculture. Many farmers may want to experiment with practices that carry environmental benefits, but are concerned about potential profit losses or unforeseen consequences. Read on to learn how organic agriculture can be just as profitable as, or even more profitable than, conventional agriculture.
Each organic or regenerative farm is as unique as the farmers who keep it running, especially when it comes to dealing with organic agriculture’s most infamous challenge: weeds. Read on to learn how five organic Ontario-based farmers and researchers use different approaches to achieve this goal in weed management.
The Organic Council of Ontario is conducting a follow up Ontario Agricultural Practices Farmer survey to gain a better understanding...
All around the world, you’ll find farmers who are passionate about restoring their environment through organic and regenerative farming practices. There is a lot of variety in regional approaches to sustainable agriculture, and each of them has something to teach us about Canada’s organic sector.
