Christo van der Rheede, AgriSA CEO and Agriculturist talks about food security being at risk - Over 10 million South Africans experience food insecurity.

Over 10 million South Africans experience food insecurity

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FSM 229: Are You Confused by Date Labels on Food Products?

How do you create farmers?  How do you recruit members of any occupation these days?  I suppose the quickest answer is that we set up post-secondary programs that specialize in particular skills that are deemed necessary for a certain occupation.  In reality, people are far more flexible than this, so they end up in all manner of jobs, but that is for another show.  Let’s just agree that the post-secondary education option seems rather prominent these days.

My parents both come from large farming families, and while most of their siblings were farmers, only a handful ever made it to High School.  However, occupations have changed, technologies have multiplied, and skills have become catalogued and credentialed.  So, many of their children working in farming (my cousins) went on to get Ag-related degrees or certificates.  It’s the modern model for recruiting workers to an occupation.  Even in farming.

Until just a few years ago, there were no practical post-secondary educational programs in the province that focused on farming - on providing the range of skills that farmers needed.  There were graduate degrees that involved research on farm-related issues, but those are creatures of a different nature.  Some folks went to Nova Scotia for training, or maybe even to Guelph (which likes to think of itself as the Oxford of Canadian Ag education).

But in 2019 that changed, when the College of the North Atlantic started its Agriculture Technician (Co-op) program.  Today we talk to three students who are currently in that program.  Be sure to take notes.  It will be on the mid-term.

It is mid-October and I drop in at the College of the North Atlantic campus in Corner Brook.  I even found a place to park, which is more of an achievement than you may think.  I meet up with three Ag Tech students, Jacey Bennett, Amy Mercer and Stephanie Jeffrey.  I had been in touch with one of their instructors, Sharon Wright, and she found these three willing volunteers for me.  We sit down in one of their classrooms.

They are all eager, passionate, gracious in their answers, and solidly rooted in this province.  Pull up one of those chair-and-desk combinations that were designed by someone with an unusual body shape and join us.  

Season 3 of "Fit to Eat" is supported by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Fit To Eat S3E22 CNA Ag Tech Students Jacey Amy & Stephanie

Originally Recorded June 2022. Today We venture out of the Studio to just outside of Sandy Point on Earthical Farms owned by the inspiring Lionel Stevens. Lionel has very big Ideas on how to reform farming and ensuring better community integration for ensured food security and economic agricultural progress. All explained in a way anyone can understand which is a skill in and of itself.

Objectively Incowrecked [Season 4]

117 Elevated Solutions, Earthykal Farms ft Lionel Stevens

I am attracted to endeavours that bring different skills and perspectives together – that bring the sciences and the arts into the same space, for example.  And food is one of those areas that clearly straddle such arbitrary boundaries.  Today our over-arching theme is the delicious delight of understanding the science behind the joy of food.

If you’ve ever purchased Country Ribbon chicken in the grocery store here in the province, you’ve eaten something that our guest today had a hand in helping to create.  We’re meeting up with food scientist, restauranteur, food developer, consultant and cookbook author Colleen Hiscock.  She’ll chat about branding, canning, transformational product development, making the dash for cash, recent changes in bologna recipes and the limits of transglutaminase.  And more.
 
The late afternoon October sun is slanting through the windows of the basement of the old Cottage Hospital in Norris Point.  This place is an energy hub regarding all things local-food-related in the Gros Morne region.  “Fit to Eat” has been here before.  This time we got the chance to sit down with Colleen Hiscock.  Help yourself to the tea and join us.

Season three of "Fit to Eat" is supported by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Fit To Eat S3E25 Colleen Hiscock

In this episode, we’re speaking with Felipe Villela from Brazil. He is the co-founder of reNature, an organization based in the Netherlands that works worldwide with farmers and corporations to support the transition towards regenerative agriculture.

Climate action across agrifood systems is urgent to end hunger and to reduce the carbon footprint on our ecosystems. Regenerative agriculture is but one means of improving our current agrifood systems.

Hosts: Jennifer Gacich (FAO) and Mateusz Benko (UNEP)
Producers: Cecilia Casalini (FAO), Giorgia Cherubini (UNEP), Katia de Prado (UNEP), Pierre Flecheux (UNEP) and James Obata (FAO).
Music © “Jungle” by DayFox
Picture © Felipe Villela

Regenerative agriculture - the agriculture that mimics nature

Food technology can feed the world – so says Social Impact Pioneer Donna Rosa. 

Donna’s high-flying career in food technology and nutritional science would have been enough for most of us. Instead, Donna then switched to helping entrepreneurs in emerging markets be more successful and scale their business. This year Donna has been recognised for her work across these two spaces – winning the Humanitarian Award for Service to the Science of Food in honour of Elizabeth Fleming Stie.
 
These seem two very divergent careers but as Donna explains during this conversation they are truly linked. As Donna explains:
 
“I am passionate about the importance of food science in food security... I realised that I had accumulated a lot of business experience over the years, and I can either die with it in my head, or I can share it with those who most need it.”
 
Having spent decades working in multinational food businesses, Donna is the Chief Entrepreneurship Officer for EFour Enterprises– utilising finance, information systems, and business advisory for specialized enterprise support – particularly for food businesses in emerging markets.
 
Donna’s multi-career journey has at the heart of it – solving the biggest problems, leaning into them, and bringing her skills and expertise as a scientist, technologist, business leader and coach. Listen in to learn how to increase food safety and decrease food loss and waste. How simple processing such as drying and canning could extend shelf life and reduce the food poverty and lean times for many around the world. 
 
Donna shares: “No one was utilising food science or food processing to alleviate food insecurity.” 
 
Donna's approach is special - instead of simply pointing out the simplicity of the problem and solutions, she rolls up her sleeves and works directly with food entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Her mission is to share her business experience and knowledge with those who most need it. Listen in to hear Donna generously leaning in to share her top tips on getting businesses to stability and scalability.
 
If nothing else this conversation is an inspiring journey revealing that a combination of science, technology, and business expertise can create positive social impact in the world. 
  
Links:
 
 EFour Enterprises: https://www.efourenterprises.com
 
Humanitarian Award for Service to the Science of Food in honor of Elizabeth Fleming Stier: https://www.ift.org/community/awards-and-recognition/achievement-awards/elizabeth-fleming-stier-award
 
Food science for relief and development: https://info.ift.org/en/fsrd-21#:~:text=Food%20Science%20for%20Relief%20and%20Development%20(FSRD)%20is%20the%20application,agriculture%20in%20development%2C%20and%20nutrition.
This would be a better link for the FSRD page: IFT Food Science for Relief and Development or https://info.ift.org/en/fsrd-21
Donna Rosa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnarosa/
 
If you liked this conversation, take a listen to:
 Scaling Green Tech Solutions for Smallholder Farmers, with Audrey and Khadija: https://businessfightspoverty.org/scaling-green-tech-solutions-for-smallholder-farmers/
And 
Gender Parity in Farming with Taryn and Emily: https://businessfightspoverty.org/gender-parity-in-farming/

Business Fights Poverty

How food technology can feed the world, with Donna Rosa

Most people know DoorDash for its food delivery service, but the company does much more than that for its more than 6,000 merchant partners in Connecticut alone.

In 2018, DoorDash launched Project DASH, a social impact initiative to fight food insecurity. 

Project DASH is a last-mile delivery service allows organizations like food banks to use DoorDash for their deliveries.

“We do have the logistics and we do have the social impact resources to solve for these problems around food insecurity,” said Christina Kennedy, DoorDash’s government relations lead for New England.

CBIA BizCast: DoorDash Delivers for Communities in Need

What are the effects of blue tongue vaccine shortage on meat supply? With Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI)

What are the effects of blue tongue vaccine shortage on meat supply?

What do cattle, sod, 16 kinds of mushrooms, chickens, lard pigs, vegetables, hay, geese, bees, a CSA, and an education centre all have in common?  If you answered that they are all at Windy Heights Farm, you’d be correct.  Anita and Gerard Walsh and their son Gerry have had quite a journey, and they are looking forward to what is beyond the next curve.  They farm 400 acres and, in order to pay the mortgage year-round (which is something that banks kind of insist upon), they’ve developed various products that they can retail year-round.  Mushrooms are one of the things that fit that requirement, but it has been a steep learning curve.  In all they do, they focus on regenerative principles.  We have a grand, wide-ranging conversation, from the joys of a diversified farm, the regulatory dances, mushroom ice cream, the right to farm, and how to go from Holland to Moosonee and thrive.

I visited Windy Heights farm in the Portugal Cove/ St. Phillips area in late January.  From the farm, you can see the former Central Swine Breeding Station.  (Yes, Newfoundland once had a pig research facility, but it was closed in the 1990s and it still sits neglected –but that’s another story.)  As soon as I arrived, we headed out on a tour of production rooms and renovations.  I didn’t even have time to get my recorder started.  The tour began by looking at the process of building mediums for mushroom growing, cooking grain spawn to create substrates to then inject with mycelium from specific mushroom varieties.  At least, I think that’s what I was looking at.   Join us.

Season 3 of Fit to Eat is supported by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

Fit To Eat S3E31 Windy Heights Farm

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Cassandra Quave in conversation with Colin Khoury, lead author of the study on “The plants that feeds the world”. Khoury reflects on the value of data and main insights that the study presents on the crops and crop varieties that are currently most important to our agriculture and food security at global scale.

Producer: Hedwig de Coo 
Presenter: Cassandra Quave 
Sound: Gijs de Bakker  
Episode cover image: ©FAO/Zinyange Auntony

A deep dive into data on crop diversity and how this can shape future planning

As the global community grapples with ensuring food security in the face of ever-mounting challenges, there’s an imperative need to place farmers at the epicentre of strategic solutions. Together, we must ensure we focus on both food security and farmer livelihoods.

Michelle Grogg, Vice President, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainable Development, Cargill and Cesar Galaviz, Rancher, Farmer and Agronomist, Río Fuerte Sur, Mexico discuss how to create food security, support farmer livelihoods whilst creating resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change.

Expect to hear about water stress, environment care, innovative farming techniques, yield improvement.

Cesar explains: "This is the time to act and adapt to a new way of producing food. We need to be more sustainable and also friendly with the environment. But if we don’t do something right now, it can be too late for the future, for tomorrow."


Michelle stresses: We need to make sure that farmers are at the table so that we can hear and we can really listen to what they think is needed. They’re the experts, and we are here to work alongside them."

Food security and farmer livelihoods with Cesar and Michelle

Urgent Call to Action! The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is shaking the poultry industry, and it's time to take action. This opinion piece emphasizes the need to fast-track the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) to secure our food supply. 🌾

🥚 Eggs are a crucial part of South Africa's agriculture, and the HPAI outbreak is threatening our supply chain. Let's work together to overcome this crisis! 💪

💡 Learn how the AAMP can address challenges, from the cost of feed to export opportunities and sustainability. Join the movement for a resilient poultry industry! 🚀

Read the full article by Mahlogedi LV Thindisa, Ph.D., and let's discuss solutions for our future. 📚

Link: https://lnkd.in/dk7bbPpQ

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Re - Emphasises The Urgent Need

🌾 Embracing Faith and Perseverance in Farming: A Glimpse into the Heart of Agriculture 🌱

In the heart of South Africa, amidst challenges and triumphs, farmers stand resilient. Bonani Nyhodo's insights shed light on the critical role of local farmers in ensuring our nation's food security. 🚜💪

Key Takeaways:
🌽 Maize Market Evolution: Witness the transformation of maize markets in rural towns, where demand is high, and local supply is on the rise.
🌍 Global Impact: Explore how global politics impact communal farmers, teaching them enduring lessons in the face of adversity.
🌾 Storage Solutions: Learn about the vital need for on-farm storage, empowering farmers to make informed decisions despite fluctuating market prices.

Farming isn't just a profession; it's a testament to faith and persistence. Let's celebrate the unsung heroes who feed our nation against all odds. 🌾✨

Read Bonani Nyhodo's thought-provoking insights and join the conversation on the future of agriculture. 🚜🌾

Link: https://lnkd.in/dxjKf889

Faith And Perseverance Are Essential In Farming Because It's Such A Difficult Business

Discussing supermarket challenges and an alternative way of purchasing sustainably-grown, local produce in New England. Want to read more about sustainable agriculture in New England? Feel free to visit https://sites.google.com/emerson.edu/batesportfolio/capstone.

Journalism Capstone (Emerson JR495; Fall 2023)

Getting local, sustainable produce to New England's local folk

The Best of Your VOCM Mornings with Gerri Lynn Mackey and Ben Murphy! 

This week, we discuss loneliness, the latest in tech, air access and an Air Canada blunder, food security, justice and much more.

Best Of Your VOCM Mornings - Feb 20th - 23rd, 2024

With 57 being the average age of a farmer in the EU, and alarmingly few young people attracted to farming - even fewer of them young women - the European Commission’s directorate-general for agriculture and rural development (DG AGRI) is investing in reversing this reality through generational renewal. 

Improving the quality of life in rural areas and assisting young farmers to launch or expand their activities are at the heart of DG AGRI’s efforts, which recognise that Europe’s food security, social cohesion and even its historic character will disappear without the presence and commitment of young people.

During the recent European Youth Week kick-off event in Brussels, DG AGRI held a breakout session for young farmers, rural activists and twentysomethings interested in a life on the land. The purpose of the session was to learn more about these young people’s aspirations, concerns and perspectives, to better tailor policy in favour of generational renewal. 

Our 43rd episode of Food for Europe travels to Ireland and Spain to meet two young people living in rural areas, and to follow them to Brussels as they contribute to the European Youth Week event. We hear also from DG AGRI Haude Blanc, who hails herself from a tiny village in southern France, about the challenges and opportunities of generational renewal in the countryside.

43. Generational renewal in Europe’s countryside

Hello, and welcome to the Business Fights Poverty podcast, where we bring you engaging conversations with social impact trailblazers. Dive into a wealth of insights, diverse perspectives, and valuable advice, all designed to enlighten and inspire. Gain first-hand understanding of how businesses and thought leaders are addressing the world's most pressing social challenges, empowering you to make well-informed decisions and take meaningful action. So, sit back and join us as we explore the frontiers of business-driven social impact.

Salaamedia, founded in January 2016, aims to go beyond the limits of traditional journalism by telling human stories while seeking to inspire people towards active citizenship and participation in helping resolve these challenges.

FAO Podcasts, a multilingual audio series produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, addresses pressing global issues including hunger, poverty, agriculture, and sustainability. With content available in English, Spanish, and French, our dedicated audio team ensures these vital conversations are accessible to a global audience. Our three distinct formats - the concise FAO Brief, insightful FAO Talks, and the deeply human documentary pieces - serve as your gateway to understanding and participating in these critical global discussions. Tune in, enrich your perspective, and join us in shaping a more sustainable future for all.

The FAO of the UN leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since our founding in 1945, we have focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people. FAO's activities comprise four main areas:

1. Putting information within reach.
2. Sharing policy expertise.
3. Providing a meeting place for nations.
4. Bringing knowledge to the field.

Objectively Incowrecked is a weekly Caribbean podcast that challenges conventional views and beliefs. The show explores topics ranging from sexuality to democracy; education; religion and the status quo all through the eyes of my guests and I.

Need answers to your food safety questions? Food Safety in a Minute from Washington State University answers the most commonly asked questions from consumers. Listening is a quick and easy way to learn more about food safety. Subscribe to our weekly podcast and explore online episodes.

A podcast for the business-minded in Connecticut. Interviews consist of business and community leaders who are shaping the future of Connecticut’s economy. The CBIA BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of the business community, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut!

BizCast provides new content every other week, introduces members of CBIA staff, and tells stories about how businesses are innovating and growing in Connecticut!

Have you ever wondered how food in Europe is produced or where it comes from? ‘Food for Europe’ brings you stories, analysis, and in-depth interviews on agriculture, rural development, and the developments that are transforming the way we shop, eat and cultivate our precious, scattered farmland. 

Brought to you by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, the podcast will shed light on the most important European policies for food and agriculture and discuss the ambitions to become a greener and more sustainable Europe.
© European Union, 2021

We’re a South African based online agriculture magazine with penchant for news on policy, trade, market access and research.

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