Take the Time to Write a Plan for the 2023 Growing Season

Feb 03, 2023

Time on the land or in the barn gives an undisputed feeling of accomplishment. For someone like me that spends a lot of time at the desk, the feeling of getting stuff done in this job isn’t as sweet, as working in the garden or woodlot.

But writing a plan, project or idea on paper can accomplish more than you may think.

The proactive action of writing it down on paper (rather than passive living) reduces anxiety.

It also helps your brain encode. Encoding is the biological process in the brain’s hippocampus that analyzes perceptions. Ultimately deciding whether to keep a ‘perception’ in long-term memory or discard it. The physical action of writing on paper improves the brain’s encoding function and the chances that you will remember.

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Source : Small Farm Canada

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.