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Species Spotlight: Barn Swallow

Did you know that Barn Swallows once nested in caves across North America but now rely heavily on barns and farmland for nesting?

Barn Swallows are small, low-flying birds. In flight, they can be identified by their deeply forked tail and tawny underbelly, this is also the best opportunity to see the white spots on their tail! Barn Swallows can also be identified by their shining blue back that extends from their head, all the way to their tail. They also have a rusty brown chin and forehead, this is a great way to tell a Barn Swallow apart from their close and more abundant relative the Tree Sparrow which has a white underbelly and chin. 

Barn Swallows are great pest deterrents and are often seen flying low above fields on the hunt for flying insects. In fact, Barn Swallows only eat flying insects, and rarely travel beyond 500 meters from their nesting sites to collect food. They are even said to eat hundreds of insects each day!2 Since these birds rely heavily on man-made structures to create nests, farmland and farm owners are vital to their survival.

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Ag Matters Podcast - Episode 2: Why Public Trust Matters

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In this episode, we explore the topic of public trust in agriculture with two incredible guests: Susie Miller from the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops and Jackie Dudgeon-MacDonald, a lifelong farmer and advocate for Canadian farming.

Susie provides insights into the role of policy and industry standards in supporting sustainability and transparency, highlighting how collaborative efforts shape Canadian crops' future. Jackie shares her unique experience as a farmer managing grain and cattle operations, balancing family life, and navigating direct-to-consumer relationships. Together, they unpack the meaning of public trust, the importance of transparency in farming practices, and how meaningful connections with consumers can strengthen the bond between farmers and the public.

This episode offers a real, behind-the-scenes look at how Canadian agriculture is striving to earn and maintain consumers' trust—now and for future generations.