Winnipeg Rocks!

A dash to the airport and on to the plane to Winnipeg. We were met by a giant bus that laid us in the lap of luxury! Well, maybe not quite, but it was pretty nice.

Jay Whetter, editor of Country Guide, met with us and then it was off to Friercrest Dairy. They were some very well photographed cows and calves by the time we left there!

We had a good meeting to learn about Hytek Ltd. The hog industry is certainly complex.

Here are some shots of what we've been up to. At the top, Jay checks out the calf, two cows check out me and in the group shot -- well, we're hungry. Clockwise are Stacie, Aire, Marie-Eve, Nicole, Angela and Joanna. Last shot -- well, how cute is this?

Cheers,
Allison

Mushrooms, chickens and bling

What a day!

We hit the road early again and drove to a mushroom farm in Ashburn, Ont. We all commented on the proximity of the community to the farm and noted how odd it was that there was large retail development and then bang! a mushroom farm.

Clay Taylor showed us around the composting and told us of the steps he's taken to work with the community. It's been an uphill battle and he continues the climb up the steep path to neighbourhood harmony. But it's not like he's the bully. The issue of urban crush is an urgent issue in agriculture and for producers like Clay, protection against the city has become a cost of production.

Daryl and Sherry Phoenix run a poultry/layer operation. For all four of the students, this was their first time into a layer barn and afterwards, they were a lot of mixed emotions about the visit. Daryl talked of how he cares for his chickens and does what he can to ensure they're comfortable and content. Yet when we actually saw the poultry in the barn, it was a bit shocking for the students. As far as the eye could see were rows of chickens. They were timid but curious.

We've spent a lot of time talking about chickens since we left the poultry farm. Are they comfortable in that environment? Are they happy? Are we putting human values on chickens? The facility meets standards, but are the standards good enough. It made for some thoughtful discussions.

We ended our day of touring with a stop in downtown Toronto. We were all a bit starved for some city, but when we stopped in the hemp store, each of us grabbed a pamphlet on mushroom growing -- uh, different mushrooms this time.

Arie, our lone male on the trip, was a true trooper as we stopped in a few dress stores, jewelry shops and purse boutiques. We offered to find a hardware store for him, but he graciously declined. Besides, by the time we finished in all of the "girl" stores, the hardware store was closed.

Tomorrow, on to Winnipeg. I might try to get some photographs up there too.

Ciao,
Allison

Ag 101 on the Bus

Hi from Oshawa.

First of all, we spent last night in Trenton. It was a late evening, as we lingered over dinner with the Chairperson of Farm Credit Canada, Rosemary Davis. With four young female journalism students taking part in this tour, it was perfect to have the opportunity to spend time with a successful, busy, vibrant business person who is a woman. What a fabulous role model. Rosemary certainly made me want to strive to do more and work harder. I'm sure the students picked up on her enthusiasum as well. She also gave us a great tip -- ask a farmer for a ride in his tractor!

We've had a busy, but wonderful day. First, a stop at a canning facility. Sprague Foods has the contract for President's Choice soups. How impressive to see a Canadian agri-food business doing so well! Two wineries later and we're in Oshawa.

Tomorrow, an early start -- a mushroom farm and poultry facility.

Cheers,
Allison

Things that go bump...

The wind cut right through us as we made the short walk from the van to the terminal of the Moncton Airport. I knew it was going to be a bumpy flight but that seems like an understement now. After about 10 minutes in the air, however, we settled down.

Olivia cried as we waved good bye. I made my way to the end of a long line-up to board the plane. I could have waited, but we had already been trying to talk through the security glass for some time and I could tell the wait wasn't helping. We sat for a long time before we took off. I don't know if they waited to see the plane go or left.

The wind made it a slow trip. Added to the fact that we were about 30 minutes late leaving and it quickly ate into the hour I had to spend in Montreal before catching my flight to Toronto. I ended up waiting only moments before the flight boarded.

And what a difference a flight makes! From Moncton to Montreal, I sat in aisle 1, but ended up in the last seat on the plane from Montreal to Toronto. As I made my way down the aisle, scanning the row numbers, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to be sitting with the luggage.

I now need to find the rest of the group and see what's going on.

Allison

Whatever the weather

Whatever the weather across Canada, it seems a common saying is to wait a couple of minutes and it will change. I've heard it uttered in the Maritimes, Ontario and the Prairies.

As I was preparing to pack for Ag 101 trip last night, I was listening to forecasts of - 40 C winds in Sask, 8 C in Toronto, snowstorms just outside the city, ice storms in Quebec and in Moncton, winds gusted up to 100 km/h and the rain was pounding down. Of course, wait five minutes and it's all different.

So how do I pack for that??? I have everything from snow pants to t-shirts. I'm erring on the side of warmth overall. Afterall, it is February. In Canada.

Catch you from Toronto later today...

Allison