Fruit and vegetable growers stand together to support food rescue efforts

Oct 15, 2024

As part of Ontario Agriculture Week and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, fruit and vegetable growers across Ontario are stepping up to help combat food insecurity in the province.

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has announced a $25,000 donation to Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue charity. This contribution will help provide nutritious food to families in need.

This donation aligns with Ontario Agriculture Week, a celebration of Ontario’s fresh, healthy food and a recognition of the vital role farmers play in feeding communities.

“Supporting Second Harvest in its mission to reduce hunger and food waste is one way growers are working to give back to their local communities, while also working tirelessly to fill grocery shelves and drive the local economy,” says Shawn Brenn, potato grower and OFVGA chair.

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Video: Winter Canola Trial in Mississippi | Can It Work for Double Cropping? | Pioneer Agronomy

Can winter canola open new opportunities for growers in the Mid-South? In this agronomy update from Noxubee County, Mississippi, Pioneer agronomist Gus Eifling shares an early look at a first-year winter canola trial and what farmers are learning from the field.

Planted in late October on 30-inch rows, the crop is now entering the bloom stage and progressing quickly. In this video, we walk through current field conditions, fertility management, and how timing could make this crop a valuable option for double-cropping soybeans or cotton.

If harvest timing lines up with early May, growers may be able to transition directly into another crop during ideal planting windows. Ongoing field trials will help determine whether canola could become a viable rotational option for the region.

Watch for:

How winter canola is performing in its first season in this Mississippi field

Why growers chose 30-inch rows for this trial

What the crop looks like as it moves from bolting into bloom

Fertility strategy, including nitrogen and sulfur applications

How canola harvest timing could enable double-cropping with soybeans or cotton

Upcoming trials comparing soybeans after canola vs. traditional planting

As more growers look for ways to maximize acres and diversify rotations, experiments like this help determine what new crops might fit into existing systems.