Old 99 Farm, week of Feb 24 2019

Another cold front hitting us this week, normal temp range is -2 to -10 and we’re headed for -19.
The greens are growing, now that we have 10hrs+ sunlight a day, the plants are waking up. Fresh greens on the menu, local and tender: kale, spinach, collards, chard, lettuce. See the online store for all items.
The beef special is held over, still offering 15% off the price of 20lb pack and the quarter.
Eggs, have to reluctantly put out the three for two deal again, those hens are back to laying as they should. Please consider helping your farmer get some local profile: give a dozen eggs to a friend or neighbour and tell them where they come from!

I was at the National Farmers Union Ontario division annual meeting last thurs/friday. Was it ever a well done event! the Gray/Simcoe county local hosted it in Alliston, food was provided from local sources, movie nite documentary was called Disconnected, by Egyptian-Canadian film-maker Tamer Soliman. About modern culture’s expanding loneliness and anomie, and what to do about it. We learned about a grassroots project, Soil Health Coalition, showing farmers who to increase the soil organic matter and related benefits of yield, nutrition, eco-system services. NFU-O is the most progressive of the three farm organizations, is active largely on the policy front and also engaging urbanites in the food growing community. You might consider joining!. Only $75 to support the most progressive, climate-change aware, local community boosting farm org. “While our farmer members have the supply side down, many of our foodie members are championing the demand side of the equation. Our organization takes on projects that help to support you in your advocacy for local, sustainable food. We connect with allies in education, health care, and urban communities so that they know they have the support of local farmers as they champion more local food in their daily lives.”

Greenbelt and landuse planning changes proposed by PC Ontario Government. Only till midnight Feb 28 to send in comments to growthplanning@ontario.ca. Include that you are commenting on Proposed Amendment to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2017. Environment Hamilton has posted their comments on their website at STOP SPRAWL which you can use for your guidance. One key issue I’m aware of: the government wants to make it easy for municipalities to convert farmland to subdivisions, so they propose that individual farms can be rezoned without considering if they are in the Greenbelt or ecologically sensitive areas.

Climate Emergency
I’m giving a talk on March 15 at the Langford Schoolhouse on the climate emergency. It’s a potluck and social event as well as intended to bring you up to speed on the reality of abrupt climate change risk and what must be done. More details next week, but mark the date!

Young Farmers Convergence
I just learned there are still spots open and bursaries available for this three day event Mar 5-7. If you know anyone under the age of 36 who wants to grow a career in farming, or is one starting up and needs help finding land, this is the place to be. Additional questions can be sent to Ayla Fenton, at nfuyouth@nfu.ca or aylafenton90@gmail.com.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) Youth and in partnership with the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario is planning for the 2019 Young Farmer Convergence! The purpose for the gathering is to offer young farmers workshops, planning and skill-sharing. Our mission is to build capacity for young farmers to be part of an effective social movement and empower them with tools to employ creative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change! This event will bring together dozens of young farmers chosen from around Canada. Successful participants will learn about political organizing and social movements, climate action and agriculture and indigenous solidarity in the context of farming.
https://youngagrarians.org/nfu-2019-young-farmer-convergence-apply-attend/

Healthy eating
Ian and Cami