Senator Rob Black Reflects on Rural Revitalization

Oct 04, 2019

St. John’s – The Honourable Rob Black participated in a panel at Memorial University hosted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF). Black, who represents Ontario in the Senate, was joined by Senators Mary Coyle (Nova Scotia) and Diane Griffin (Prince Edward Island).

The panel discussion focused on the Senate’s role in rural development. Senator Black has long worked in rural community development in Ontario, most notably in his past role as Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI). Even though he represents the entire province of Ontario, along with 23 other senators, Black uses his experience to add a rural voice to debates in the Senate.

“I always look at bills and issues through a rural lens,” said Black. “Some legislation can have different effects on rural populations than it does in cities and urban settings. As senators, we have a responsibility to consider all Canadians.”

CRRF is a charitable organization that aims to improve life in rural Canada. The group undertakes research and other initiatives to identify gaps and possible solutions. The CRRF just released its third “State of Rural Canada” report on October 2, during the 2019 Sustainable Communities Conference in St. John’s.

Source : Senate of Canada

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.