Ottawa, ON – Amid rising food prices and concerns for climate change and environmental sustainability, Canadian farmers are answering the call. This is the message that Nuffield Canada is extending to consumers and the public in a newly released video that gives a glimpse at modern farming practices.
“Canadian agriculture is continually looking for solutions,” says Steve Larocque, Chair of Nuffield Canada and 2008 Nuffield Scholar. “Fighting climate change, water and soil preservation, environmental sustainability – these are all things for which farmers are on the front lines to defend. In myriad ways, Canadian farmers are the caretakers of the land and promote sustainable food production every day.”
The video also touches on topics such as beef production attributes that are the most important to consumers, farm safety, agriculture’s social license with the public, and machinery innovations that promote soil preservation, among other topics. It shows real farmers implementing real, researched practices of modern agricultural production.
“Most Canadians are generations removed from the farm and are no-longer familiar with where their food comes from or how it is produced,” explains Larocque. “Just as you don’t have to be a mechanic to drive a car, you also don’t have to be a farmer to eat food – however in both instances you will make much better decisions if you are well informed.”
The two-minute video is available in French and English and leads viewers to the Nuffield Canada website where they can freely access scholar reports and more information on current production practices in Canadian agriculture.
Funding for this video was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the AgriCommunication Program.
About Nuffield Canada
Nuffield Canada attracts mid-career men and women with a passion for agriculture who are ready to challenge themselves in a self-directed program of international travel and study. The experience results in personal and professional benefits, while adding value to Canadian agriculture as scholars assume positions of greater influence in their fields.
Scholarship recipients can come from all areas of primary production, industry, or governance of agriculture, and are required to do a minimum of 10 weeks of travel study within 24 months to examine and research an agriculturally relevant issue of their choosing. Each scholar prepares a written report of their research findings and then presents a summary to the Nuffield Board, with peers, sponsors and industry leaders in attendance.
For scholar sponsors, Nuffield Canada offers a pathway for leadership development within organizations. Producers, customers, clients and employees can be recognized for their leadership potential and encouraged to apply. Each year, applications are accepted from April 1 through June 30. For more information visit www.nuffield.ca.
Nuffield Canada, a registered Canadian charity, is over 150 alumni strong. As part of a larger international community, Nuffield Canada has affiliate organizations in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zimbabwe. Scholar recipients instantly become members of the 1900 global Nuffield alumni network, which hosts and supports traveling scholars.
For more information contact:
Theresa Whalen, Executive Director, Nuffield Canada (613) 325-7321 exec.director@nuffield.ca