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OFT Welcomes New Executive Director

Ontario Farmland Trust is pleased to welcome our new Executive Director, Martin Straathof!

Martin’s previous experience is diverse, ranging from agriculture, to non-profit work, and even rural planning. OFT is excited to have him on board, so that he can put his wide range of expertise to work!

Martin grew up on a dairy farm just west of Ottawa in Arnprior, Ontario. He spent much of his childhood helping his family with the chores (of which there are many), and participating in local 4-H clubs. While much of his time on the farm was spent with cows, he does have a particular soft spot for goats. He then pursued an undergraduate degree in International Development (with an emphasis on rural and agricultural development) at the University of Guelph

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Our Own On-Farm Research Is the Best Source - Managing White Mold in Northeast Nebraska

Video: Our Own On-Farm Research Is the Best Source - Managing White Mold in Northeast Nebraska

If you assumed Nebraska was too hot and dry for white mold to be a problem in soybeans, think again.

This week we're featuring Galen Samuelson, a farmer and dealer from Wakefield, Nebraska, who knows all too well how devastating white mold can be.

"We don't have it consistently every year, but with our temperature and humidity, it can hurt us quite bad," Samuelson says. Looking for alternatives, he explains, "What I like about Heads Up is that it's non-harmful to the beneficial fungal colonies in the soil." Galen has been using Heads Up for several years now, after first hearing about it through a small ad in a regional newspaper. Watch below to hear about his journey.

When asked to write about Samuelson Seed, Galen said the following:

"Samuelson Seed is a 4th-generation, family-based company. It started with my grandfather, and I'm now starting to pass the torch to my son, Caleb."

"In the early 1990s, I started working with a company whose focus was on plant and soil health before those benefits were widely known. I've continued to keep plant and soil health the main focus in our farming operation decisions."