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Agricultural Innovation
with Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau shares why it's important for youth to enter the agriculture sector and what challenges the industry is currently facing.
What are you looking forward to in the agriculture industry as we approach 2022? Our government is focused on helping our farm businesses adopt sustainable practices and technologies. Sustainability is at the heart of the next federal-provincial-territorial policy framework for agriculture, which is set to begin in 2023. Farmers know that safeguarding the environment not only preserves the farm for future generations but opens new markets as the global demand for sustainable foods continues to grow. A win for our environment is a win for our economy.
What agricultural challenges is Canada currently facing and what are we doing to tackle them? The extreme weather events that have taken place over the past weeks and months have
been a major challenge. My heart goes out to all those who have been impacted. These events are stark reminders that farmers and ranchers are among the hardest hit by climate change. The Government of Canada stands with farmers and ranchers, and continues to listen to their needs and to take action to respond. In addition to the suite of business risk management programs that help agricultural producers manage risks that threaten the viability of their farms, our government has invested over $500 million in agri-environmental programs, including the Agricultural Clean Technology Program, to help producers acquire the latest environmentally-friendly practices and technologies.
What sets Canada apart as a leader in agricultural innovation? Canadian farmers are helping Canada become a global leader in sustainable agriculture, thanks to innovations in plant and livestock genetics, precision farming technologies, and farm practices such as cover crops and reduced tillage. And we’re helping them
keep up the great work. Canadian innovations such as initiatives following the living lab approach, which brings farmers and researchers together in the field to develop and share knowledge and best management practices, have a huge potential to accelerate the adoption of sustainable farming practices around the world.
Why is it important to encourage young people to consider a career path in agriculture? Young people are the future of our sector and our food security. I’m working hard to encourage more young people to consider a career in agriculture. Students interested in fields such as environmental science, technology, engineering, or mathematics may have their dream job awaiting them in agriculture and agrifood. We're also supporting youth leadership in the sector through the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. Increasing diversity, which includes youth and under-represented groups, is key for having an innovative and sustainable agriculture sector.
AgScape Is Leading the Way in Ontario Food and Agriculture Education
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Teaching Ontario’s youth about food and the career opportunities in agri-business should be an important component of their education.
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Tania Amardeil
Taylor Selig Executive Director, AgScape
hen you pick up an apple or a loaf of bread, do you ever stop to wonder where it came from? With the science of modern food production growing exponentially and recent breakthroughs in genomics and environmental stewardship, how food gets to us isn’t quite as simple as it used to be. The result is a disconnect between the agri-food industry and consumers. AgScape, a charity that has been leading agriculture and food literacy in Ontario classrooms for over 30 years, is on a mission to change that.
The importance of creating food-literate citizens “Young Canadians are inundated with media campaigns that can shame, coerce, or even mislead about nutrition and modern food production,” says Taylor Selig, AgScape’s Executive Director. “Fewer Canadians than ever live or work within agriculture and it’s not an essential component of the school curriculum, which has created a perfect storm for misconceptions to take root.” AgScape is dedicated to providing awareness on the importance of agriculture and food education, and is focused on educat-
ing our next generation of leaders — today's youth. As they’re increasingly disconnected from modern agriculture, young people don’t understand our food industry or the opportunities available to them within it. As the agri-food industry is a dynamic field bursting with technological innovations and opportunities, it’s important to expose students to the possibilities.
knowledge and understanding of agriculture and food. AgScape also hosts the Feeding Innovation Podcast, highlighting innovators in Ontario agriculture and food education.
Connecting classrooms with agri-food perspectives
Shining a light on Canada’s agri-food sector
AgScape’s creative programming and resources bring this educational imperative to Ontario students. Through its Teacher Ambassador Program, AgScape brings Ontario certified teachers trained in food and agriculture into classrooms to design and lead educational programming. This engages youth to be global citizens, thinkers, and innovators who will further the sustainability of our food systems and planet. Camp AgScape, a virtual camp experience, connects youth to various agriculture and food themes while they’re learning from home. AgScape’s Business of Food is a comprehensive online professional development platform that allows educators, post-secondary students, and agri-food businesses to enhance their
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters and partners, AgScape’s programming is available to teachers and students for free. As demand for this programming increases, AgScape needs your support to build that outreach. The charity’s vision is a world where the agri-food sector is recognized as a vehicle for positive social, economic, and environmental impact. “There’s no better time to reach Canadians and open their eyes to the marvels of modern agriculture,” says Selig. “Canadians have so much to be thankful for, and appreciation for the abundance of safe and healthy food begins with education about the innovation and hard work at the heart of Canada’s agriculture and food sector.”
Learn more and request a free lesson in agriculture and food at AgScape.ca. This article was sponsored by AgScape.
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