Food for Thought Newsletter

Brought to you by Canadian Federation of Agriculture, representing over 190,000 farmers and farm families across Canada
An update from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

Welcome to the Food for Thought newsletter!

As part of our Food for Thought campaign, you signed up to receive further emails and updates on Canadian farmers and agriculture.

This is our 7th issue, looking at some recent events in Canadian agriculture, such as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture's Annual General Meeting where every major political party leader spoke, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau!

We also have some great educational pieces around sustainability, and how agriculture can be harnessed to be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change!
Political Party Leaders at the CFA Annual General Meeting
The CFA Annual General Meeting (AGM) brings together farm leaders across Canada to set the priorities of our industry for the coming year. This year's theme for the AGM was Building a Resilient Future for Canadian Agriculture, looking at how we can build further resilience in agriculture and the food supply chain in the context of a changing climate and large-scale supply chain disruptions.

We were thrilled to have all Canadian political leaders speak at our AGM including the Prime Minister of Canada. To hear each of their keynote presentations and the Q&A with our delegation, see all the recorded links below:
Canadian Agriculture in 2023

Fertile ground: How soil carbon can be a cash crop for the climate age | Dairy farming with renewable energy, what a bright idea! | Bill C-234 - An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act | Tips for Your Spring Garden | Provincial Spotlight - Newfoundland and Labrador | Delicious recipes!
Fertile ground: How soil carbon can be a cash crop for the climate age

For generations, Canadian farmers have been financially rewarded for the food they produce. The more bushels of wheat a farmer grows—and the greater price that commodity fetches on markets—the larger the return will be.

Yet by embracing sustainable practices, farmers also hold unparalleled power to cut emissions, and to improve air and water quality, soil health and biodiversity.

Tapping that power will require capital. While the current potential of sustainable agriculture is robust, the economics underpinning it are not. We’ll need to price in sustainable practices while supplying the funding and financial instruments to de-risk and incentivize their use. And we’ll need to rethink an economic system that wholly rewards agricultural production while placing little value on preservation.

These efforts—supported by national MRV protocols, and cross-industry partnerships—can be the foundation of a world-leading sustainable agriculture strategy.
Dairy farming with renewable energy, what a bright idea!

Canadian dairy farmers are working towards a sustainable future in big and small ways. Many dairy farms are uniquely positioned to take advantage of renewable energy, with ready access to manure and crops that can be turned into biofuels, plus the ability to harness power from the sun and wind.
Bill C-234 - An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act

Bill C-234 looks to exempt certain farming practices and associated fuels from the carbon tax.

While the carbon tax's goal is to reduce emissions, farmers have no viable lower-emission options to use in terms of fuel or machinery. Due to this, the carbon tax creates a financial burden without any resulting reduction in emissions.

Adding onto this, activities that deal with the effects of climate change, such as grain drying or cooling and heating barns, are made more expensive by the carbon tax, adding a financial burden onto farmers who are already struggling with the effects of climate change.

Bill C-234 would exempt these types of activities and fuel from the carbon tax, freeing up farmer's funds to make investments into sustainability on their operations.\

Recently Bill C-234 passed Third Reading in the House of Commons and will move to the Senate.
Provincial Spotlight: Agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province in Canada that is well-known for its rugged coastline, stunning landscapes, and rich history. The province is also home to a thriving agricultural industry that plays an important role in the local economy.

The agricultural industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is relatively small compared to other parts of Canada, but it is growing rapidly. The province is home to a diverse range of crops and livestock, including berries, vegetables, grains, and cattle.

One of the biggest challenges facing farmers in Newfoundland and Labrador is the cost of getting our inputs shipped in from mainland Canada. The short growing season and cool temperatures make it difficult to grow many crops, and farmers must rely on specialized farming techniques to make the most of the land.
Tips for your Spring Garden - Brought to you by Princess Auto

With Spring just started, it's time to get your seedlings started for eventual planting! We have some quick tips for getting your garden started this year.
Enjoy some great recipes with delicious Canadian ingredients below!
Homemade Cream Cheese

A homemade cream cheese recipe as easy to make as it is delicious. Unlock a whole lot of flavour with just three simple ingredients!
Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

Alternating layers of ham and thinly sliced potatoes come together with a beautiful sauce to create this classic dish from newfoundland and Labrador.
Truffle Mac and Cheese

There is nowhere to hide in a mac & cheese. The ingredients truly speak for themselves with dairy being the star. With such a simple recipe, the only way to truly elevate it is by using high quality ingredients. In this case, we are using fresh 100% Canadian dairy products and tantalising truffles to turn an ordinary mac & cheese into a deliciously rich and decadent dish. It's also important that we use sustainably-sourced ingredients so that our love of classic dairy dishes, like mac & cheese, can continue to be shared with future generations to come!