By: Alora Hughes, University of Saskatchewan Student The challenges and advantages of adopting vertical farming Food scarcity is a problem facing both agriculture and the world. Population growth, growing incomes, and changes in consumer preferences have resulted in the need for increased food production. To tackle this problem every angle …
How Science is Winning Consumers Back For those that live near the oceans, they know that the tide can only go in one direction for so long, before making the turn back. The same can be said for many things in society, as is witnessed by certain crazes such as …
What risks are assessed before a GM crop or food is approved? Any time a new crop or food product is approved in Canada it means it has already been assessed for risks and compared to similar approved crops or foods. Science-based risk assessment determines if the risks are equal …
Ecosystems require livestock to be healthy In the discussion of future food security and climate change, a common statement made by eNGOs is that one of our staple food sources, livestock protein, needs to be eliminated from human consumption to meet future food demands as well as GHG emission targets. …
By: Andie Hadway, University of Saskatchewan Student Many Canadians want to ensure they are purchasing the best food possible for themselves and their families. The problem facing Canadians is that many of them are not informed enough about the production process of their food. Purchasing food from local farmers connects consumers and …
Organic label controversy By Gordon Willison, University of Saskatchewan Student For some, organic farming is a controversial topic, there are serious issues regarding the trade policies that the United States imposes on organic imports. Canada and the U.S. have an agreement of equivalency (USCOEA) that ensures organic imports are assessed …
By Robert Wager, Vancouver Island University I’ve had the great pleasure of being a faculty member of the Biology Department of Vancouver Island University for the past 23 years. My area of research is agricultural biotechnology with an emphasis on public outreach. The world has seen a great change in …
Manipulative marketing campaign cast doubts about government risk assessments Two weeks ago, Stonyfield Farms launched a marketing campaign that champions lies and misperceptions surrounding food, its safety and the experts that determine food safety. If you haven’t seen the ad, kids are provided with scripts loaded with false statements about …
Losing a harvest can devastate a farm When the thought of crop loss comes to mind, it’s common to think of drought, flooding or hail, as these are certainly devastating. While they certainly are the most common losses for large-scale, bulk commodity production, the same can’t be said for smaller …
Which does the public believe is more natural? Far too often, academics remain secluded within the walls of their ‘ivory towers’, unaware of the interests and concerns of society. An example of this was provided in the fall of 2017, with the release of a survey finding that 58% of …
