Hello Everyone, I would like to take a moment to comment on the work of the National Farmers Union, and organisation that our farm is a part of.  Part of the NFU mandate is to defend Canadian Producers - and food consumers - from short sighted government policies.  Last week, I was notified in a monthly newsletter about cutbacks in the Canadian Agricultural research sector.  Some of these cuts are of special concern to me, so I took some time to make my position clear:

Prime Minister:   It was with considerable concern that I learned of proposed cuts to AAFC, particularly its research and development. ESPECIALLY concerning are cuts that included the Organic and Regenerative Research Program at the Swift Current Research Centre and the sustainable livestock programs at Lacombe and the Nappan Research Farm.   Climate change is starting to have an impact on Canadian Food Production.  The next years will exponentially increase the challenges faced by food producers both big and small.  

"A country that cannot feed itself . . . has few options".   Prime Minister, these are your words spoken on January 20th 2026.  

A civilisation that does not maintain healthy soil is doomed to fail.  We NEED to learn how to regenerate our soil before we lose it.   There are lessons to be learned from farmers in  Australia and South Africa who have shown how to alleviate and reverse soil loss.  Naturally, the Canadian context will require adaptation of these Australian/African methods.  That is why we need to fund our own research into regenerative soil techniques.  

As the impacts of climate change change increase, we will need to discover and or develop plant breeds that are better suited to the changing climate.  For example, there are some plant varieties that I grew regularly when I started farming just15 years ago, that are no longer usable with our very hot spring seasons.  I expect this trend will continue, so we will need to INCREASE our research.

Prime Minister, you are much more familiar with financial affairs than I am, so I expect you will have a better understanding of work by agricultural economists such as Dr. Richard Gray.  His work has shown that for every dollar of investment in public plant breeding, there is a return of $35.  I may be a farmer, but I know a good deal when I see one.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, Bob Whitmore

You, as a consumer, also may have the opportunity to be informed - and if so inclined, to act - by becoming an Associate Member of the National Farmers Union.   Here is a link that will take you to the NFU page that details associate memberships and provides an opportunity to join.

NFU Associate Memberships

More news soon, 

Bob

Hello Everyone:

We hope you have all had a good start to the new year in spite of everything, and it would seem, everything else.  Recall what a great year 2018 was?  Or 2019?  Or 2020?  I guess the good old days are taking their time returning.

I have published the 2025 Review, click on the page tab above.

I'll be reaching out to last years subscription customers and some of our farm store and market patrons for some thought on how this production year should unfold.  Details are near the end of the 2025 Review, under the heading Next Years Country.  Your input will be helpful.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts.

First, about your experience overall - the food, delivery, communication, etc.

Which foods you enjoyed the most and which ones were disappointing?  Were the quantities sufficient, too much or too little?

And anything else you wish to comment on.

As well, I would like to hear your thoughts, if any, about the farm reducing its production for a year so that several projects can be completed.  I need to find a way to make more time while maintaining a portion of our revenue stream to fund the projects.  I discuss some options at the end of the 2025 review.

As of this writing, we still have potatoes and some small kabocha squash, and carrots.  Contact me if you are interested - the farm gate store is open by appointment only; deliveries to Perth or Ottawa will work around my own schedule as I have to go to these places from time to time.

Stay warm, 

Bob

Hello Everyone:  Happy Holidays to you all.  For us, the end of 2025 was a bit challenging, with Cayley's passing, and illness in our extended family.  We are fortunate nonetheless, and thankful for the experiences that the people and animals have shared with us.

Given the circumstances in my own family right now, it should not be surprising that the season's end was somewhat of a whimper, with a few opportunities to sell some surplus produce lost due to timing, weather, car issues and commitments elsewhere.  

We did have our own little Christmas miracle.  Much to our surprise, Julia's geranium bloomed without any forewarning.  

There were a lot of surprises on the farm this season, most of which were positive.  The new field produced better than expected, sales at the farm gate store increased despite part of our road being closed for bridge repair 

Even the township saw the sense of rejecting the bid for a new gravel pit application; perhaps the province will see the light as well?

There were some less welcome surprises.  In particular was the arrival of the squash borer beetles.  Only twice in the fifteen previous years of farming have I had a catastrophic crop loss.  

So it is time for the year end review - my cold blooded assessment of how the farm worked through 2025, and what I learned from that.  As usual, I will start with an examination of each  crop, and then some of the other aspects of the season's production.

The 2025 Season review, once published, will be on it's separate page - see the tabs above.

Have a safe and happy holiday, and best wishes for 2026...

Cayley nee Kali

The Cat of Many Colours

Born under a trailer on Iron Mine Road

A hunter of mice

A watcher of birds

A playmate of friends

An expert of comfort

2006-2025

 

Cayley nee Kali

The Cat of Many Colours

Born under a trailer on Iron Mine Road

A hunter of mice

A watcher of birds

A playmate of friends

An expert of comfort

2006-2025