Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture

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Research

Blueberry Project a Go in NWO

Blueberries love acidic soils found in and around Thunder Bay

Food Security Research Network is pleased to announce that they have received a three year OMAFRA grant under the New Directions and Alternative Renewable Fuels Research Program 2009/2010 titled Determining health benefits, horticultural and market potential of wild blueberry ecotypes from northwestern Ontario. This proposed research 2010-2013 provides a unique and innovative opportunity to introduce local low-bush blueberry varieties into the Canadian berry cultivation industry. The Thunder Bay District Agriculture Economic Impact Study, 2009 provided evidence of the strong support in the area for diversification of farmland. This research project has strong potential to result in a crop style production system in existing underutilized farmland and northern communities and thus create new employment opportunities, and will be carried out by Drs. Azim Mallik and Connie Nelson from the Food Security Research Network and Dr. Tarlok Sahota, from the Thunder Bay Agriculture Research Station. A huge thank you to all who wrote letters of support for this initiative, including the Ontario Berry Growers Association, Thunder Bay District office of OMAFRA, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture, Thunder Bay Soils and Crop Improvement Association, the Northwestern Ontario Bio-economy Corporation, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Matawa First Nations and Aroland First Nation. Any persons interested in partnering with this project on the market potential of local low-bush blueberries, please contact Connie Nelson at (807) 343-8810 or cnelson@lakeheadu.ca.

Checking Out the Plots at TBARS
One of the unique features of Thunder Bay farming is the work of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, locally known as TBARS. Supported by area farmers, TBARS takes its trials seriously, studying well established local crops such as wheat and barley, to new crops such as chickpeas and flax. A vital member of the farming community, TBARS was one of the first to experiment with soybeans, discovering that the increased sunlight in northern Ontario appeared to compensate for lower heat units, making this crop a common sight in the area today. This year, the crop to watch is winter wheat, with some impressive stands at the station. Visit TBARS and see what the future may hold for Thunder Bay agriculture!

winter wheat stand at TBARS

Local farmers examine flax, wheat and canola plots at recent tour of TBARS

Finding Local Food at your Fingertips!
It gets easier and easier to find local produce in Thunder Bay! Along with farmer's markets throughout the city, TBFA's directory of farms, and farm gate sales of many products, there are two new on-line resources. The Get Fresh! Thunder Bay 2010 guide was released recently. With categories of Farm, Food Artisan, Food Hertitage Protector and Local Food Supporter, there is something for everyone. Catherine Shwartz Mendez, one of the coordinator's of this publication, was excited about changes this edition. "Added to this year's guide are restaurants that offer local produce," she said. You can pick up your copy at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit or he guide is also available online at their website.

Also new: Thunder Bay's first on-line local food store, the Superior Seasons Food Market is open for business. Superior Seasons Food Market utilizes a web system called locallygrown.net. Locallygrown.net takes the best things about traditional farmers markets, CSAs, and buying clubs and wraps them all together in an online system that 's easy for both the grower and the customer. Superior Seasons Food Market functions like a co-op: farmers set their own prices, availability and provide input and guidance regarding the "workings" of the site. The site does not intend to make a profit on its own; therefore, fees and commissions are based on costs only. Accounts can be set up for individual customers, office buying groups or wholesale businesses, restaurants and/or caterers. TBFA invites you to browse the site www.marketstore.locallygrown.net and set up your free account to receive weekly updates. You'll see more producers and more products come available as we move into the main harvest season. Spread the message that Thunder Bay farmers are ready to feed you!
tomatoes

President's Message:
Farmers and Perseverance
Listening to James Sovereign of Mountain Fresh Farm and Steve Loshaw of Rainy River Abattoir speak at the Regional Premier's Award Ceremony for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, I heard the echo of so many farmers that I have spoken to or heard from.
Farmers tend to be quietly proud of their accomplishments. (They rarely have time for bragging!) There may be generations behind that farmer's passion, or there may be only the dream in the farmer himself. Either way, they are doing what they do because they love to do it. And so they work hard to make their farm make a living for them and their families.
Tenacity is a quality of almost every small business owner, and that's part of what farmer's are. Finding their way around barriers that might slow them down is part of the job. Emotional ties of living where you work often increase a farmer's persistency tenfold. This is also the reason that a farmer will either "make it or break it" --- they often put everything on the line. Both of these operations took chances and made it.
The funny thing is that speaking to Sovereign later, his words were, "It's tough, you know." Loshaw's words were, "It's tough," too. As a farmer, I can understand the sentiment. Weather worries, market troubles, pest control, family relationships, economic times --- the list goes on. And yet these two businesses made it. In the case of Mountain Fresh Farm, perseverance over the years, experimenting and testing have brought this family to where they are today. For Rainy River Abattoir, a community spirit has helped them build this facility and will keep them going in the future. It is tough, but they should both be proud of their accomplishments. The ability to find a way past this current trial and to work hard to see their dreams come true is part of what I love about farmers. It makes me proud to represent them to others, too. - PB

Another Great Recipe

Summer is the time to eat fresh, local produce picked at its peak! Then buy a little extra to preserve that fresh taste for later!
In honour of Mountain Fresh Farm's Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture offers the following recipe:

Light Sour Cherry Jam

Cooking Time: About 10 Minutes
Servings: 6 Cups (1.5 L)

Ingredients:

3 qt (3L) Ontario Sour Cherries
1 box (49g) light fruit pectin crystals
3 ¼ cups (800 mL) granulated sugar, divided
Grated orange rind or chopped ginger in syrup

Preparation:
Pit cherries and finely chop to make 5 cups (1.25 L); leave a few pitted cherries whole, if desired.
Place cherries in large heavy metal saucepan.
Combine pectin crystals with ¼ cup (50 mL) of the sugar; slowly add to prepared fruit.
Cook and stir over high heat until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Stir in remaining sugar. Return to full rolling boil, stirring constantly; boil rapidly; stirring, for 1 min. Remove from heat. Stir and skim for 5 min.
Add grated orange rind or chopped ginger in syrup to taste.
Pour into warm sterilized jars leaving ¼ in. (5 mm) headspace. Seal with 2 piece metal lids and process in boiling water bath using pectin manufacturer's directions.

(Recipe Source: Foodlands Ontario)

Events
(July 15-Sept 15)

Foraging for Food
Tuesday, July 20
6:30 p.m at Waverley Resource Library
Discover the hidden delicacies our fields and forests have to offer. Learn how to find and savour nature's bounty.
Register: 625-8343

Canning 101
Tues. July 27
6:30 pm at Ogden Community Centre
Sterilizing? Pectin? Find out what it all means from an award-winning expert!!
Register: 625-8343

Thunder Bay Soil and Crop Summer Tour
Thursday, July 29, 10 AM at TBARS.
Guest Helmut Spieser, engineer with OMAFRA, A sprayer demonstration and solar energy info session.
Contact: Christina Mol 475-5193

Food Drying 101
Tuesday, August 10th
6:30 p.m at Waverley Resource Library
How can you preserve taste and make your garden last longer? Dry your harvest! Come learn about different techniques for drying food. How can you preserve taste and make your garden last longer? Dry your harvest! Come learn about different techniques for drying food. Preserve taste and make your garden last longer! Dry your harvest!
Register: 625-8343

The Joy of Herbs
Tuesday, August 17
6:30 p.m. at Waverley Resource Library
Fresh herbs add freshness and flavour to any dish. Come learn how to cook and heal with herbs you can easily grow at home year-round.
Register: 625-8343

Cooking with Local Beef
This workshop will highlight how to Thunder Bay and what cuts of meat are available
Tuesday, August 24
6:30 p.m. at Waverley Resource Library
Learn to cook different cuts of beef and the difference between grass fed and grain finished beef.
Register: 625-8343

Murillo Fair
August 28 and 29
Murillo Fairgrounds
Family fun for Everyone!
Contact: murillofair@gmail.com

The Art of Soups and Stews
Tuesday, August 31
6:30 p.m. at Waverley Resource Library
Stir up a hearty meal in a flash with these basic mix and match recipes.
Register: 625-8343

Hymers Fair
September 5 and 6
Hymers Fairgrounds
Fun for the Whole Family!
For more info: www.hymersfair.com

Pizza Making
Tuesday, September 14
6:30 p.m. at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute
The taste of pizza created with local ingredients.
Register: 625-8343

Slate River Valley Plowing Match
September 11
9:00am to 3:00pm at the Agriplex Centre
Plowing since 1927
Contact: Tom Loghrin

Looking Back
Premier's Award for Pioneers in Northern Cherries

Premier's Award Ceremony (l-r) Minister of International Trade and Investment Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Northern Development Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle, Steve Loshaw of Rainy River Abattoir, James Sovereign of Mountain Fresh Farm, and MPP Bill Mauro

Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture congratulates Mountain Fresh Farm on its recent win of the Regional Premier's award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. In a ceremony attended by MPP Bill Mauro, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle, and Minister of International Trade and Investment Sandra Pupatello, James Sovereign spoke of the history and hard work that went in establishing a dwarf sour cherry orchard here in Northwestern Ontario. From his grandfather coming in to the area in 1907 until now, the Sovereign family has been growing fruit and berries. Mountain Fresh Farm worked with the University of Saskatchewan, and the hardy variety developed includes the added bonus of requiring almost no chemical spray. There are currently four generations of Sovereigns involved, ensuring a future for this bright and innovative farm.
TBFA also congratulates the Rainy River District Regional Abattoir Inc. for their Premier's Award for establishing Ontario's only not-for-profit abattoir. The abattoir can process beef, pork, sheep, elk and bison, and has been designed so that it can easily be upgraded in the future to a federal facility. Pupetello reminded the crowd of the importance of secondary industry to farming. "Agriculture is bigger than just growing and shipping that product south. It's further development as well." Gravelle's comments summed up the day: It's "a chance to brag about how important agriculture is in this province." Well Done, Northern Ontario!

Funding for this project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Adaptation Council’s CanAdvance Program, Farm Credit Canada, Food Security Research Network and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

It's Summertime!
Hot temperatures, long days and heat, heat, heat! Welcome to Thunder Bay! As you drive through the rural country side, try counting round bales, look for yellow fields of canola and the soft greens in the barley fields. Check out how the corn grows taller every day. And better still, take time to taste the best of summer fruits and vegetables - blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more! Northern summers are the best!

Got Free Time?
Interested in working in the Local Food booth that will be around town this summer? Contact Catherine Schwartz-Mendez at 625-5956 if you are willing to help promote food and farming in our area.

Also,
Mark your Calendars…. TBFA Annual General Business Meeting
Thursday, October 14.

OFA Annual Convention
November 22 and 23 Toronto.

Agriculture Economic Impact Study
Click here to read more

Website Updates
Thunder Bay Federation of Agriculture updates this website quarterly. Information for our next update should be in by August 30, with our next update posted September 15th. If you would like to advertise in our business directory or our events calendar, contact peggy@tbfarminfo.org.

Teaching Resources

Have questions about agriculture? want to get the real facts about farming? Check out the resources available through Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. website. www.oafe.org

The Thunder Bay Dairy Educator is available to teachers for presentations on dairy farming and dairy goodness. Contact your Thunder Bay Dairy Educator today for your FREE visit! Trudy Reid-935-3224 or reidridgefarm@rogers.com

Links
Local Farm Weather
www.farmissues.com

Job Opportunities
Co-operative learning students and farm hands
Co-operative learning students and farm hands are always needed in the area. If you are interested in such an opportunity, please call Peter Aalbers at 939-1644 or e-mail him at peter@tbfarminfo.org.

Looking for Input
Agriplex: What Do You Envision?
The Agriplex Advisory Committee is looking for input as to uses for the Agriplex building located on Highway 130 in Oliver Paipoonge. If you have ideas or thoughts on this facility, contact Peter Aalbers at peter@tbfarminfo.org.