CFWF honours The Grower’s journalism and photography

Oct 15, 2024

The Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation (CFWF) announced its annual awards at a banquet in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 5. The Grower’s editor, Karen Davidson, won Farm Writer of the Year for her five entries that exhibited a strong commitment to Canadian agricultural writing focused on agronomy, ag technology, current affairs, business, people, places and daily farm life.

The five entries were:

The March 2023 cover story “Why more precision is required to protect apple crops” is a deep dive on how two apple growers are adapting to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s restricted uses of crop protection products. Theagronomy is complicated but necessary to understand the balance in using synthetic and biological products in micro-managed ways throughout the growing season.

The May 2023 cover story “Heritage apples are pressed into the service of hard cider” details the sideline of husband-and-wife partners Doug Balsillie and Leslie Huffman and daughter Janelle. They have identified the genetics of bittersharp apple varietals to blend for hard cider. The Grower’s visit to their Harrow, Ontario orchard resulted in a story that mixed agronomy, business development and personality profile.

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Video: Summer Crop Scouting MN Farm!

Crop scouting is a vital part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), helping identify pests, optimize input use, and protect yields. Scouts act as the grower’s field observers, offering timely insights.

In this webinar, Liz Gartman, UW–Madison Extension regional crops educator, provides an introduction to crop scouting, covering everything from pre-field preparation to in-field tools, resources, and best practices.

Preparation includes understanding field history, gathering tools, and setting communication expectations. In the field, scouts assess plant health, pest presence, and environmental stress using systematic patterns. Accurate documentation and clear reporting are essential. Tools like soil surveys, weather data, and pest calendars support decision-making. Ultimately, crop scouting builds trust, supports sustainability, and ensures informed, timely responses to field conditions.