JUNE 2026 SEN BLACK’S CONCERNS ON CLOSURES P6 | SOIL HEALTH CANADA PLAN P7 STRAWBERY HOW-TO & WASTE NOT P10 | FARM CRIME PREVENTION P13 FRESH BY THE HANDFUL AND PRESERVED— STRAWBERRIES GROWN BY JEFF CARTER IN S-W ONTARIO.
BRAIN SURGERY AND ROCKET SCIENCE ON THE SMALL FARM An editorial board is a panel of experts, researchers, and/or editors who guide a publication’s content. They assist the ‘Editor-in-Chief’ by peer-reviewing articles, factchecking and giving their perspective to maintain quality standards. While the term “editorial board” is frequently associated with newspapers and scholarly journals, some magazines use a similar advisory panel to maintain quality and strategic direction. At Small Farm Canada, we have often used experts to guide us and help define content and accuracy but now we are naming names and giving credit where credit is due. Using AI underscores the need to create efficiencies but also highlights human intelligence as the key to delivering reliable and authentic stories and information. Considering the depth, breadth and complexity of content that exists in agriculture today, a diverse group of experts, in subject matter and on a regional and cultural basis, is in order. As the “responsible” editor at Small Farm Canada at present, an editorial board brings peace of mind and excitement. I’m excited by the prospect of the value-added that only a human expert can provide. I am also excited by the continuity and prospects it also brings. Thank you to Dr. John Kestle, my human brother-in-law and pediatric neurosurgeon. He listened, suggested and encouraged that we keep on “growing” with an editorial board. Some challenges truly need a brain surgeon. 250 & UNDER Cover photo Jeff Carter, Southwestern Ontario EDITOR Julie Harlow | 1-866-260-7985 ext 272 Julie.Harlow@SmallFarmCanada.ca ADVERTISING SALES 1-866-260-7985 Sales@SmallFarmCanada.ca DESIGN | Andrea Williams CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Ashleigh Benedict | 1-866-260-7985 x252 Subscriptions@SmallFarmCanada.ca MARKETING & OPERATIONS Denise Faguy | Denise.Faguy@Farms.com PUBLISHER | Farms.com Canada Inc. PRINT: The print magazine for Small Farm Canada is published six times each year by Farms.com Canada Inc. Subscription rate for one year: $25.95 (+tax). Single copy price is $5.95. SUBSCRIBE NOW! DIGITAL: Small Farm Canada Lite is published 6 times each year, tandeming the Small Farm Canada magazine print issues. Contact INFO@ SMALLFARMCANADA.CA for your free subscription. Your privacy is important to us. Occasionally we may send you information from reputable companies whose products or services we believe may be of interest to you. If you would prefer to have your name removed from the list, contact us at Info@SmallFarmCanada.ca. Contents copyrighted by Farms.com Canada Inc. and may be reprinted only with permission. Copyright © 2026 Farms.com Canada Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1710 4955 Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Small Farm Canada, or Farms.com Canada Inc. endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca PROUD TO BE CANADIAN OWNED! We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Get social with Small Farm Canada IN THE NEXT PRINT ISSUE: JULY/AUGUST 2026: EDUCATION Booking deadline: Friday, June 12, 2026 Ad material due: Thursday, June 19, 2026 Education is important and the opportunities are building. This year we continue building a directory of learning opportunities sure to fit the needs of farmers working to scale. We talk about traditional education as well as short courses and online apps. Lifelong learning is good for the brain as laughing is for the soul. Every issue includes insightful commentary from Larkspur Supper Club’s Dan Needles. Want the print issue? Subscribe here! IN THIS ISSUE June 2026 | Vol. 2 Issue 3 If you operate a farm, are an entrepreneur in ag and food, a student, or working in agri-business, join us at AWC! AWC EAST 2026 November 22, 23 & 24, 2026 at the Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls, ON AWC WEST 2027 March 14, 15 & 16, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency, Calgary, AB Hear expert speakers that will motivate and inspire, and network with women passionate about ag. Learn new skills to help you excel Manage your well-being and build resiliency Nurture and grow your passions Meet, network and support other women Stay informed. Be inspired. Get growing. Listen, learn, network and grow! Call Iris Meck for details: (403) 686-8407 • AdvancingWomenConference.ca/2026east TOP: JEFF CARTER | BOTTOM RIGHT: CONSTANTGARDENER/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS PHOTO | BOTTOM LEFT: GOODLUZ - ADOBE STOCK Cattle pause at a ranch dug out in Alberta 5 NEWS & NOTES Mercosur beef, Clarkson Farm, mealworm vaccine, ginseng loans, Senator Black OpEd 9 THREE TIMES IS THE CHARM BY JULIE HARLOW Standing corrected on interlock isolation noncompliance. 17 BEEF CATTLE RESEARCH COUNCIL ON H20 BY BCRC Water management resources for cattle and more. 6 FARMYARD HUMOUR ON THE RUN BY NELSON DEWEY A SFC Lite welcome to illustrator Nelson Dewey!
5 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca 4 June 2026 TOP: CHAD - ADOBE STOCK | BOTTOM : SHAWN HAMILTON CLIX - ADOBE STOCK Kwazar Sprayers Rogue Hoes and Rakes Wheel Hoes and Cultivators Pickup or Delivery Options Available Your Local Source for Quality Garden Tools To order or for more information Visit www.countryhomestead.ca Email sales@countryhomestead.ca Call or Text 519-778-4010 35 Howard Ave, Elmira 519-669-5500 NOLT’S COMPACT MULCH LAYER CROP CARE PICK ASSIST TAR RIVER ROTO TILLERS 41”-81” width In-stock 1. 3 & 5 row. Also a good selection of Seed Rollers and Replacement Parts. JANG PUSH SEEDERS We’re helping you grow with these great brands: Weeding, planting & harvesting with ease! GOOD FOR A TIGHT BUDGET SOLAR CHARGED CROP CARE SPRAYERS From 25-750 gallons. Also Specialty Sprayers. CALL US FOR A FREE VEGETABLE AND FLOWER GROWING SUPPLY CATALOGUE AZS BRUSHER Call with your fruit and vegetable washing needs. SALE ON UNTIL MAY 31 ,2025 Precision Depth Roller ( 5 1 9 ) 6 6 9 - 2 1 9 2 sales@efsaudersales.ca www.efsaudersales.ca SPRING INTO PLANTING WITH THE HELP OF BCS UNITS AND ATTACHMENTS! PLUS A FREE QUICK ATTACH BUSHING & TANG *WITH THE PURCHASE OF UNIT & TWO ATTACHMENTS. UP TO 10% OFF ON SELECTED TRACTORS & ATTACHMENTS NEWS & NOTES CLARKSON’S FARM SET TO RETURN FOR SEASON 5 CLARKSON’S FARM IS BACK RETURNING TO AMAZON PRIME ON JUNE 3RD. The new series once again follows Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to steer Diddly Squat Farm through another turbulent year. The new series tackles massive, contentious UK agricultural policy changes, including a controversial 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms over £1 million beginning April 2026, alongside new postBrexit subsidy structures. Opponents argue that the reforms place family farms at serious risk. Many farms are asset rich but cash poor, meaning large tax bills may be impossible to pay without selling land. Rising land values also mean that even modest family operations could exceed the new thresholds. Critics fear the policy could accelerate farm sales, encourage consolidation, and increase corporate ownership, while raising broader concerns about food security, rural communities, and long term succession planning. Source: Farmers Guardian CCA OPPOSES MERCOSUR BEEF The Canadian Cattle Association has officially launched a national campaign to oppose Mercosur beef access into Canada. Mercosur includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and is currently in active trade negotiations with Canada. “Canadian beef farmers and ranchers are opposed to any beef access in a Mercosur trade deal which would result in increased imports of low-quality beef for Canadian consumers.” “We are proud of our high standards for animal health, labour and food safety while providing vital environmental benefits like ecosystem protection, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat which results in the sustainably produced, premium beef that Canada is known for around the world.” “In contrast, Mercosur beef does not meet the same standards for animal health, labour or food safety and has long been associated with environmental degradation. Displacing locally and sustainably produced Canadian beef is a loss for consumers, the environment and rural communities.” — Tyler Fulton, CCA President Source: CCA The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has extended the Ginseng Storage Loan Guarantee Pilot Program for an additional year. Eligible Ontario ginseng producers may now access the program until March 31, 2027. This will be followed by a two year wind down period, with all loans issued in 2027 required to be fully repaid by March 31, 2029. Originally established to support the ginseng sector during market disruptions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic, it will continue to assist the sector in managing ongoing market challenges in the current economic environment. The program is administered by Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC). To be eligible, producers must be enrolled in AgriStability and own the ginseng inventory. The loan is structured for low interest borrowing, repayment as product is sold, and marketing when prices are most advantageous. Funding is available annually beginning in April. Eligible producers may apply at any time during the year while ginseng inventories are available. Producers can access financing of up to $1,000,000 per year at prime. For more information about the program or to apply by phone, contact ACC at 1-888-278-8807. Source: ACC ONTARIO EXTENDS GINSENG LOAN PROGRAM Red Angus cow from rural Ontario.
7 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca 6 June 2026 AAFC PHOTO TOP LEFT: FRESH ADVENTURES - WIRESTOCK - ADOBE STOCK | TOP RIGHT: TESDESIGNS - ADOBE STOCK AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION IS KEY TO CANADA’S FUTURE — SO WHY ARE WE CLOSING RESEARCH SITES? ARTICLE BY SENATOR BLACK Agricultural research and innovation are intertwined and fundamental to the competitiveness and resiliency of the Canadian agriculture sector. Yet, in January, the federal government announced the closure of three Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research and development centres in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Additionally, four satellite research farms — one in Nova Scotia, one in Manitoba and two in Saskatchewan — are being shuttered. Researchers at Kansas State University are pioneering a novel approach to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) by using mealworms as an oral vaccine delivery system. Led by Laura Miller, associate professor of veterinary virology, the multidisciplinary team is exploring how mealworms—already a natural component of poultry diets—can be engineered to produce and deliver vaccine antigens directly through feed. HPAI remains a major global threat to domestic animal health, capable of wiping out entire poultry flocks within days. The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded the team nearly $2 million as part of a competitive $100 million national initiative to support innovative prevention and vaccine strategies. The project leverages CRISPR-based gene editing to rapidly update vaccines as the virus evolves. This agility contrasts with traditional egg-based vaccines, which can take months to adjust. The system is also being designed to meet DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) standards. Collaborators include experts in veterinary medicine, entomology, and insect farming from Kansas State University and North Carolina State University. The research aligns with K-State’s Insect Farming Initiative, which supports the use of insects in agricultural systems and sees potential for expanding this platform to other animal diseases. If successful, the mealworm-based vaccine could revolutionize poultry health management by enabling rapid, stress-free vaccination through feed, to help reduce losses as well as stabilize food prices. Source: Feedstuffs.com MEALWORM-BASED VACCINE RESEARCH SOI L FEDS ANNOUNCE NATIONAL AG SOIL HEALTH STRATEGY ARTICLE BY KATE AYERS On March 26 Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald announced that the Canadian government will advance the National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy to protect this essential resource. The initiative builds on work of the Senate and is supported by Bill S-230, an act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement. On June 6, 2024, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry brought forward a report on the status of Canada’s soil health and made 25 recommendations to the federal government to protect and conserve soil health. One of its recommendations was to develop a national strategy. Also, the Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) and the Compost Council of Canada developed the Recruiting Soil to Tackle Climate Change Roadmap. This work recommended the establishment of a soil health roundtable and development of a national soil health strategy. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the SCCC are strategy leads but it’s development will be a collaborative effort between industry partners, an AAFC release says. “The development of the National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy will be informed through regular engagement with provinces and territories, Indigenous agricultural groups, producer organizations, academia and industry,” AAFC says. At its core, the strategy will support sustainable practices, improve data collection and strengthen the long-term resilience of Canada’s agricultural lands, AAFC says. “The National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy is an important first step in establishing a shared vision and coordinated approach to improving soil health across the country,” says AAFC director of communications Jennica Klassen. AAFC and SCCC will create a committee structure and advisory working groups to guide the strategy’s development. Engagement will start this spring, AAFC says. While further details have yet to be released, in the March 26 Debates of the Senates, Ontario Senator Robert Black stated the strategy will be completed and officially launched in 2027. Indeed, the strategy is a collaboration to prove research, enhance technology extension, champion good models of incentives and resources and reach agreement on priority measurements, says SCCC interim executive director Susie Miller. The strategy’s guiding principles are that it is farmer-focused, voluntary and collaborative, inclusive, regionally responsive, evidence-based and iterative and adaptable. “The [strategy’s] primary role is the preservation and the improvement of soil health, so that farms can farm,” Miller says. “We want to bring in the research, practical experience and farmer knowledge, because that is so, so, so important. It has to be grounded in reality.” The agriculture-industry led framework will have an immediate view (by 2030) and longer-term view (by 2050). This announcement comes on the heels of AAFC’s proposed budget cuts, which currently sees the closure of seven research stations in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia and reduction of about 665 staff positions. The cuts include the termination of long-term studies on intercropping, biocontrol and living mulch at the Organic and Regenerative Research Program at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre. “On March 25, AAFC scientists leading decades- long soil science files and regenerative ag research were ordered to cease all scientific activity. The next day, Agriculture Minister MacDonald proceeded to announce an industry-led national soil strategy with corporate lobby groups at the helm,” National Farmers Union Canada says in a social media post on April 1. “To protect our soils, adapt to climate change, and protect our food security, what we need is a functioning public interest research system, not one designed to help input suppliers and multinational corporations make more money.” Miller noted that over 100 stakeholders were engaged on the strategy’s development between January and March 2024 and that farmers and ranchers will have a chance to provide feedback on the draft strategy between January and April 2027. SMALL FARM CANADA Barnyard Humour with Nelson Dewey Minister of Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, Heath MacDonald at the podium.
9 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca 8 June 2026 TOP: AMAZON.CA | DTFASHION7- ADOBE STOCK | RIGHT: CSA PRACTICAL THIRD TIME’S A CHARM... GENERATOR POWER ISOLATION CSA APPROVED TRANSFER SOLUTIONS ONLY! ARTICLE BY JULIE HARLOW In the May-June issue of Small Farm Canada magazine, we discussed four methods of isolation of electrical power while using a generator during a power outage. One method discussed was an interlock isolation method and while they are compliant in the US and available in Canada from US retailers like Amazon, do not be deceived (like me)—they are absolutely not compliant in most regions of Canada. It is hard cutting through US data to the facts in Canada. We regret this error. Electrical safety authorities (including Ontario’s ESA) require approved transfer equipment that isolates power sources and cannot be defeated during servicing. Generator interlock kits are generally not compliant in Canada under the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC). Canada requires one of the following, approved and inspected: • Manual transfer switch (CSA / cUL / cETL certified) • Automatic transfer switch (ATS) for standby generators • Generator specific transfer panels designed for Canadian code • Meter mounted transfer devices (e.g., GenerLink), where permitted by province and utility These devices are built to CSA standards such as CSA C22.2 No. 178.1 and comply with the Canadian Electrical Code. While they are popular and legal in many parts of the United States, enforcement of this standard has been underway since at least 2021, in Canada as they do not meet Canadian safety standards for the following reasons: 1. LACK OF CSA APPROVAL In Canada, electrical equipment must be CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified. Major manufacturers state that they do not offer generator interlock kits as an accessory in Canada because they are not CSA rated. They are also not available in Canadian retail locations, although they are available on Amazon, so buyer beware. 2. DEFEATABLE SAFETY MECHANISM The primary reason for the ban is that the interlock is typically attached to the panel cover. SAFETY RISK: If the panel cover is removed for maintenance while the generator is running, the mechanical safety (the interlock) is gone. This allows the main breaker and generator breaker to be turned on simultaneously, creating a lethal “back feeding” risk for utility workers. CODE REQUIREMENTS: Canadian regulations require transfer mechanisms to remain functional even when covers are removed. CSA is a standard maker, authority and source of information.
11 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca THE STRAWBERRY CONNECTION ARTICLE BY JEFFREY CARTER INTENSIVE GARDEN With the advance of spring and as the weather warms, a yearly delight awaits – the strawberry. The plant is an obvious choice for intensive kitchen gardens. A large volume of berries can be produced in a relatively small space – plenty for fresh eating, certainly, and with a well-established patch, enough for preservation as well. We’ve been growing June-bearing strawberries in our backyard for about 30 years. Typically, we have a single harvest that lasts for as long as two weeks. This begins in late May with a trickle of berries that builds to a small flood by June – several pints of the sweet red fruit harvested on daily basis. As the month progresses, the flood of production recedes, but a morning barefoot stroll to the patch still reaps a reward – a handful or two of berries for a breakfast topping. Strawberries grow in the wild in temperate regions throughout the world but the species most commonly consumed globally have a purely North American lineage. The wild or Virginia strawberry grows throughout North America, even in the far arctic. I remember, as a youngster, my older sisters showing me the plants along the woodlot edge on our farm from which miniscule berries could be eaten. Lesser known is the native Chilean strawberries which grow naturally along the Pacific coast of Chile and also along the coastline from California to as far north as Alaska. It’s not widely adapted to other growing areas but has a desired attribute – large berries – though they’re not particularly tasty. The two species came together in what was likely a chance crossing, not in North America, but in France where they had been introduced the early 1700s. Seeing the potential, plant breeders, especially in England, took up the challenge and the modern garden strawberry was developed. In Canada, there are three main types of strawberries grown in gardens and on a commercial basis. June-bearing varieties, on which I’ll focus most of my comments, produce a single early season crop. Everlasting varieties produce a large spring crop, and a second smaller crop later in the year. Day neutral varieties, unlike the other types, do not respond to changes in daylength but rather flower and set fruit whenever the temperature is from just above freezing to 29°C. June-bearing strawberries are well suited to a kitchen garden setting. They combine strong yield with great taste. We generally harvest ours once a day and as the volume increases and our appetite for the delight begins to be sated, we begin the preservation process. Strawberries intended for pies or jam can be quickly accumulated. Simply arrange freshly harvested, unblemished fruit on trays and freeze and then place the frozen berries in a lidded container and store for up to a year. A significant portion of our harvest is transformed into jam. You’ll need at least about four cups for a small batch of jam but we typically double, triple or even quadruple the amount. We also make jam in combination with other fruits. High pectin fruits, like currents and gooseberries, act as a thickening agent since they have high levels of natural pectin. We often combine strawberries with rhubarb for jam making. Rhubarb adds a bit of tartness and the particular line we have in our garden appears to have a higher level of pectin than what’s usual. Rhubarb, cut into chunks, is also easily frozen like strawberries. LEFT: NEW AFRICA - ADOBE STOCK | TOP: SAFINEST - ADOBE STOCK Preserving strawberries for processing at a later date is a snap. Use unblemished berries, clean if necessary, freeze on trays and place in lidded containers for storage. Strawberries can be grown in all the provinces and there’s even been reports of successful patches in the more hospital corners of Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Strawberry seed is available but home gardener typically start with either bareroot or potted plants. Check reputable nurseries in your area or order plants on-line, taking into account their suitability in your growing area. Ideally, the young plants should be virus free. You will need a sunny site, preferably in a sheltered location especially in regions where there are harsh winters. Strawberries can be grown in a variety of soil types and it is good idea to add compost or well-rotted manure for added fertility. Planting into a raised bed is recommended in most instances, especially if the location is poorly drained. With June-bearing varieties, the general recommendation is to place the plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows spaced three to four feet apart. In my own garden, I generally place the plants in a somewhat tighter configuration into a raised bed using a twin-row approach. As the plants send out runners in the first year, I increase the dimensions of the raised bed and increase it again the following spring. In the first year, all the blossoms from June-bearing plants should be removed to encourage the runners. Harvesting begins in year two. We’ve been able to maintain a patch of strawberries for four, five or even six years. For patch longevity, the greatest consideration is weed control. That begins by selecting a location in an existing garden that is relatively free of weeds, especially weeds like quack grass that need to be removed, root and all. Regular weeding should follow. An existing patch of strawberries can be revived by removing older plants, adding compost or manure free of weed seed, turning the soil, and allowing new runners to reestablish in the renovated areas. Last year, we had a decent harvest from an old patch that had grown over the years into a large circular area of production about three meters across. In the spring, I terminated one section and groomed the remainder, taking some of the healthier plants a new location, making sure to remove any diseased foliage prior to the transfer. With the harvest of the old patch completed, I turned the soil over, added a bit of compost, and planted lettuce and spinach for a fall harvest. It’s important to irrigate your strawberries to optimize production if spring conditions are dry or if there’s a prolong dry spell later in the season. When irrigating, first check the weather to see if rainfall is in the forecast and if no rain appears to be coming give the berries a good soaking. Continue weeding your patch into the fall and with the approach of winter, cover it with a layer of straw for cold protection. In the spring, the straw will also serve as a deterrent to weeds. Finally, a note on the other two types of strawberries home gardeners might consider, everbearing and day neutral. Everbearing strawberries are grown in a similar manner as June-bearing strawberries. In the first year of establishment, initially remove the blossoms from the plants but around the first of July, allow the blossoms to set fruit for a small late summer/fall crop. In the second and consecutive years, everbearing varieties will produce both an early crop and late crop. Day neutral strawberries can be established either in the spring or the fall (in more southerly growing areas) and are generally spaced closer together compared to June-bearing varieties. With a spring planting, remove flowers for four to six weeks and then let the fruit set. Day neutral strawberries can be overwintered, but generally only once. Commercial growers often treat them as an annual crop, grow them in either low or high tunnels and into plastic mulch, and regularly remove the runners. JEFFREY CARTER PHOTOS First year blossoms from June-bearing plants are removed. Harvesting begins in year two. 10 June 2026 Click here for Strawberry food waste reduction tips from “Waste Not”
12 13 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca June 2026 TOP LEFT: TOSH LUBEK - ADOBE STOCK | PHILIP - ADOBE STOCK Boost the biology. Pastured chickens rev up soil fertility. Call Kintyre Metalcraft at 519-363-0444 to ask for a catalog. Or contact one of these participating dealers. Manufactured by: Kintyre Metalcraft 23 Sideroad 15 North Dobbinton, ON N0H 1L0 With a Cackellac shelter you can easily move your poultry daily. TM Provides them with fresh grass and bugs Spreads the fertility Microbes multiply with a concentrated shot of nutrients Your grass will flourish after a pass with a CackellacTM 3 models to suit your needs Good Nature Eco Farm Thamesford, ON 519-993-6606 goodnatureecofarm.ca Brent Cadeau Dorian, ON 807-889-1441 Carl Brubacher Conn, ON 519-501-2604 Melvin Weber Foxboro, ON 613-849-7883 Thornloe Farm Supply Thornloe, ON 705-563-2555 info@thornloefarmsupply.ca Clare Wagler Belleisle Creek, NB 506-485-5670 Marvin Weber Berwick, NS 902-538-4318 bountywoodsfarm.ca Canadian Homestead Supply 519-794-0142 canadianhomesteadsupply.com Warren Martin Holstein, ON 519-334-3292 pastured poultry solutions™ AQUACULTURE SUPPLIES LAKE & POND SUPPLIES Est. 1989 Your Pond & Lake Professionals Since 1989 For a complete line of solutions anytime Visit our Updated Website: FishFarmSupply.ca CRIME ON THE FARM DESIGNING OUT CRIME ARTICLE BY HELEN LAMMERS-HELPS Not only does farm theft result in a financial hit, there’s also an emotional toll and the setback of having to replace essential equipment, often during busy planting and harvest seasons. Pickup trucks, fuel, ATVs, trailers, snowmobiles, power tools, and laptop computers are frequent targets. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate the risk of theft, implementing Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies can make your property less vulnerable. According to Sgt. Jillian Johnson from the Crime Prevention and Community Support Bureau and Auxiliary Inspector Brad Hull, both with the Ontario Provincial Police West Region, the four pillars of CPTED are natural surveillance, access control, territorial reinforcement, and target hardening. CPTED strategies, also known as Designing out Crime, aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts and build a sense of community, according to the International CPTED Association. To promote natural surveillance, the officers recommend getting to know your neighbours and letting them know if you’re going to be away. That way the neighbours will be familiar with your vehicles and can call police if they see something suspicious. As much as possible, ensure there is visibility of the farmstead from the road by trimming back overgrown landscaping. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH ACROSS CANADA Neighbourhood Watch is a voluntary, community-based crime prevention program, operated locally across Canada. Residents are often the first to notice unusual activity and sharing information helps law enforcement and crime prevention. Neighbourhood Watch is a collaborative program and support- ed by many police services, municipalities and communities. Participants are encouraged to observe, document, and report suspicious activity, share timely safety information, and learn practical crime prevention strategies. Elements of the program also may include signage and registries: • Signage to inform and provide a deterrent • Security camera registries, allowing residents to voluntarily register cameras that may assist police investigations • Stolen bicycle registries to help recover and return bikes • Property engraving or marking programs to identify valuables and deter theft. Neighbourhood Watch aligns with Canada’s broader approach to crime prevention, which focuses on community connection, social responsibility, and prevention over enforcement. CamSafe is a voluntary security camera registry. It helps police understand where cameras are located. Click here for more information on CamSafe.
14 15 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca June 2026 ALL CANADA SHEEP CLASSIC July 9-11, 2026 July 9-11, 2026 Pictou Fairgrounds Pictou, Nova Scotia SET SAIL AND JOIN THE PUREBRED SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA AND CANADIAN SHEEP BREEDERS‘ ASSOCIATION AT THE More information at www.sheepbreeders.ca Show & Sale Show & Sale 1-866-956-1116 office@sheepbreeders.ca Make sure your property number at the end of your lane is clearly visible to enable emergency vehicles to respond quickly. A locked gate at the end of the driveway makes it clear that it’s private property and sends a message that the property is secure and won’t be an easy target. A barking dog is also a deterrent. “Even a small dog barking will alert people,” says Johnson. A pick-up truck parked in a field near the road with the keys left in it is an easy target. Would-be thieves will check all the obvious places for keys such as behind the visor, under the floor mat, in the console, etc. Many stolen vehicles are also involved in other crimes, adds Johnson. Dusk-to-dawn lights and lights with motion sensors will discourage thieves and improve the quality of surveillance footage from cameras. Inexpensive solar-powered motion lights that don’t require electricity are now available. Likewise, the cost of cameras for surveillance have come way down. They recommend choosing a camera that captures high quality surveillance video as this is very helpful for solving and prosecuting crimes, says Johnson. Set them up to have a broad view and to monitor entry points. Unlocked doors make for easy access so be sure to lock all shed doors and fuel tanks. Deadbolt locks with longer screws or extra screws in the strike plate are harder to kick in. Frosted windows make it harder to see power tools, laptop computers or other items that are attractive to potential thieves. Keep an up-to-date list of valuables such as tools, computers, machinery and vehicles including the make, model, value, description, serial numbers and photographs. This information is helpful for identifying what’s missing and proving ownership. Johnson offers some additional theft prevention tips specific to roadside farmstands. Outfit the farmstand with a high-quality surveillance camera and motion lights, post signage such as “Smile, you’re on camera,” don’t keep a lot of inventory at the stand and remove it overnight, remove cash frequently or use a cash box that’s difficult for the public to access. In the event of a theft, do call police. They may be able to stop it if it’s in progress and also helps them keep track of what’s going on in the community. Some police departments have a web portal for reporting crimes in non-emergency situations. Some areas have a voluntary registry for security cameras to assist police in solving crimes. In Ontario, for example, the investigating officer can log onto CAMSAFE and see if there is anyone who has registered a camera in the area. Using the contact information provided, the officer would request the footage from the owner. According to the CAMSAFE website, only basic contact information and camera locations are collected and only police have access to the database of registrants. Similar programs are in operation in other parts of the country. In some areas, a free evaluation program to help strengthen home and farm security is available. In Ontario, for example, the Safeguard Program is available through the OPP. For more information on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), click here. GENERATOR THEFT PREVENTION TIPS • Place the generator out of sight from the road, but still well away from buildings, doors, windows, and vents (per CO guidelines). A rear yard or side yard with a clear airflow path works best. • Anchor it to something immovable (ground anchor, concrete footing, structural steel post). Fences and deck railings are easily cut. • Use a hardened chain or steel cable (case hardened, not braid- ed) and a high quality padlock rated for outdoor/industrial use. • Install motion activated lights aimed at the generator area. • Some users build lockable metal cages that allow airflow and chaining while running. • Engrave or permanently mark it with your name/phone number. • Take photos and record the make, model, and serial number. • Store indoors (garage or shed) ONLY when the generator is OFF and cooled. KEY TAKEAWAY The best protection combines distance from buildings (CO safety) with anchoring, lighting, ID, and community awareness. Thieves look for speed and privacy—anything that slows them down or draws attention significantly reduces risk. Do you have a CRIME PREVENTION tip to share? Editor@SmallFarmCanada.ca NSKYR2 - ADOBE STOCK Put your trees in front of farmers, growers, and land stewards who are actively searching for planting stock. For over 20 years, the SMALL FARM CANADA SEED GUIDE has been the go-to resource connecting serious buyers with trusted suppliers. Now, we’re expanding— introducing a dedicated TREE NURSERY DIRECTORY in our 2027 edition. Get listed: Editor@ SmallFarmCanada.ca Advertising opportunities: Sales@ SmallFarmCanada.ca Attention Canadian Tree Nurseries! Don’t miss your chance to be seen. Reserve your spot by June 30!
17 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca 16 June 2026 BCRC WATER MANAGEMENT MANAGING H2O FOR CATTLE AND MORE ARTICLE BY BEEF CATTLE RESEARCH COUNCIL Cattle need high-quality water to maintain health, growth, lactation and reproduction. Water quality testing allows for the detection and management of issues before they negatively impact herd performance. Compounds in water can interact, sometimes Water quality is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of rock or soil the water passes through, precipitation levels, groundwater, runoff, evaporation, and adjacent land use. Handheld water meters can provide quick, on-site testing for conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). However, laboratory analysis remains the most reliable method for accurately measuring conductivity, TDS, and dissolved minerals such as sulphates. enhancing the effects of one another. Cattle of different ages or stages of production— such as calves, adults, pregnant, or lactating animals—may react differently to the same amount of a compound. Due to these complexities, it is hard to recommend a single concentration that is safe in every situation. Producers are encouraged to consult their veterinarian, nutritionist and provincial livestock specialists when interpreting water test results. While cattle can often tolerate or adapt to certain factors that reduce water quality, periodic testing of the water will assist with identifying the factors and indicate levels that may be problematic. HOW TO TEST WATER 1. FIND A LABORATORY • Use a local or regional lab that offers water testing. Consult the Water Lab List to find one in your area. 2. COLLECT A SAMPLE • Use a clean, sealable container. Generally, a 1L sample is collected, but some labs provide specific containers and collection instructions. Be sure to clearly label the sample. Date, locations, and sources type at minimum. • Obtain samples from the location where cattle actually drink, not from a tap or storage tank (unless this is the location they drink from). For dugouts or ponds, this is generally 1-2 feet below the surface and 2-3 feet from the edge. For wells or troughs, ensure a fresh sample by running water for 1-2 minutes before sampling. The laboratory can help clarify sampling location based on the desired tests and water system type. • Avoid contamination with dirt and debris when sampling. 3. SUBMIT TO THE LABORATORY • Many labs have specific storage instructions for samples, like keeping the water at a specific temperature (e.g. 1-4°C, which might require a cooler and ice packs) or submitting within a certain time frame (e.g. within 24 hrs – especially for bacterial testing). 4. INTERPRET THE RESULTS • Work with advisors and use the Water Results Interpretation Guide to understand your results and take action. Water Management for Beef Cattle - BeefResearch.ca Some additional water management links provided by the Beef Cattle Research Council: • Water Management Resources - BeefResearch.ca • Reservoirs of Resilience: Building Reliable Stock Water Systems Through Years of Drought - BeefResearch.ca • Fences, Filters and Eavestroughs: Innovative Water Initiatives to Improve Herd Heal - BeefResearch.ca • Pooling Resources: Community Pasture Upgrades Water Systems for Healthier Beef Cattle - BeefResearch.ca • Water Stewardship: A Ranching Family’s Approach to Conservation and Changing Landscapes - BeefResearch.ca • Practical Approaches for Managing Stock Water - Beef Research Call: 1-866-260-7985 x252 or mail your order to: 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 Name: Tel: Address: City: Prov: PC: Payment: Cheque Visa MasterCard AMEX Card #: Exp: V-code: Name on Card (print): Signature: 3 digits on back of card How to calculate total: Total cost of books + shipping. Add 5% GST to total Please note prices & availability are subject to change without notice. $ ________ + $8 flat rate shipping = $ ________ FLAT RATE $8 SHIPPING $ Total $ ________ + 5% GST = Grow Your Best Garden This Season! Living Soil A grower’s guide Jean-Martin Fortier $24.99 | 128 pages An illustrated, accessible resource that reveals the secrets to creating fertile, healthy soil - an essential foundation for abundant, nutrient-rich harvests. Coppice Agroforestry Tending trees for product, profit, & woodlot ecology Mark Krawczyk $69.99 | 576 pages A richly illustrated guide to resprout silviculture for a continuous supply of small diameter polewood for products from firewood to fine furniture. Renewal How nature awakens our creativity, compassion, and joy Andrés Edwards $24.99 | 208 pages Stories that reveal nature’s genius, its effect on our lives, and how cultivating an emotional bond with nature benefits us and the natural world. Compost Science for Gardeners Simple methods for nutrient rich soil Robert Pavlis $29.99 | 224 pages This comprehensive sciencebased book is your key to building healthier soil and growing better plants. Growing Figs in Cold Climates A complete guide Lee Reich $34.99 | 128 pages A complete full-color, illustrated guide that covers pruning techniques, cultivar selection for different climates, overwintering, pests, and harvesting. Goats Giving Birth What to expect during kidding season Deborah Niemann $29.99 | 128 pages Includes stories, lessons, and reflections, giving you the confidence to handle a large spectrum of goat pregnancies and help birth happy thriving kids. DIY Mushroom Cultivation Growing mushrooms at home for food, medicine, and soil Willoughby Arevalo $34.99 | 208 pages Full-color photos and step-bystep instructions accompany a foundation of mushroom biology and ecology to support a holistic understanding of the practice. Foraging as a Way of Life A year-round field guide to wild plants Mikaela Cannon $44.99 | 328 pages Accurate and detailed descriptions of herbs, mushrooms, berries, and other wild plants to avoid confusion and inspire confidence in plant identification. Your Edible Yard Landscaping with fruits and vegetables Crystal Stevens $39.99 | 288 pages Includes dozens of color photographs and watercolor illustrations, and landscaping designs for gardeners with any amount of space. Straw Bale Building Details An illustrated guide for design and construction CASBA $44.99 | 288 pages An illustrated guide that covers detailed drawings for straw bale wall assemblies, including foundations, windows and doors, and roofs. The Well-Planned Vegetable Garden A grower’s guide Jean-Martin Fortier $24.99 | 128 pages This practical, highly illustrated guide brings clarity to the many moving parts of food production - from space planning and crop rotation to season-long scheduling. The Artisan Herbalist Making teas, tinctures, and oils at home Bevin Cohen $34.99 | 152 pages Learn how to identify, grow, harvest, forage, and craft herbal allies into an assortment of useful health and wellness products.
18 June 2026 THE ART OF THE POSTHOLE STORY BY DAN NEEDLES ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEW NEEDLES The poet who told us “In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” was clearly not a farmer. I think a farmer would have mentioned postholes somewhere in the same verse. After a winter of Biblical snowfalls and a late season whack from an ice storm, I don’t have to walk the fence lines to know there will be many flat spots and dozens of fence posts to replace. I’ve been digging postholes since I was old enough to pick up a round-mouth shovel. For the first two decades I dug in sand at my mother’s farm thirty miles south of where I live now. On one project, my brother and I went on a spree for a fence in the lower pasture along the stream, digging 27 holes three feet deep in a single day. Even the old guy who was supervising us was impressed. I remember him saying, “If that shovel gets too hot, Danny, throw it down and I’ll give you another one.” The following day we climbed a little knoll of gravel and clay where the digging was much harder. That day we only dug three. I became stoop shouldered by the age of 18 and always attributed my posture to the length of time I had spent at the end of a shovel. In my thirties, I moved to this farm, which is a land of heavy red clay and football sized stones that lurk below the surface like sea monsters. I quickly learned that you can’t dig a posthole in any month with a vowel in it. I invested in a five-foot crowbar and two shovels, both with forged steel shanks, the kind they stopped making in 1980 in favour of the cheap hollow shank variety made in China. Since then, I have replaced the handles on those two shovel heads on multiple occasions and they still work just fine. I have always loved the smell of fresh turned dirt in the springtime. I have an odd habit of sticking my head right into the hole and breathing deep of the cool pungent air. It clears my brain and I come away refreshed. Imagine my surprise when I read a study a few years ago that examined a common microbe in topsoil known as Mycobacterium vaccae and found it may play a role in raising serotonin levels in the human body, a substance that regulates mood and contributes to mental health. Soil microbes may be working in ways similar to widely prescribed antidepressant drugs. I think I already knew that. Most writers, in fact anyone with an instinct for reflection, will enter a struggle with the dreaded ‘black dog’ of depression at some point in their lives. I encountered the first whiff of it as a teenager and found that the return of the sun and the chance to scrabble in the dirt never failed to lift my spirits. The first weapon I would recommend in a struggle with depression would be a shovel, if the season permits. There is an art to a posthole. The first two feet are straightforward, but the final foot requires a bit of dexterity to keep the dirt on the blade as you lift it without hitting the side of the hole and losing it all. Any number of nifty tools have been invented to help extract dirt efficiently but none of them work. Wrist action combined with modest expectations about how fast this can be done do the trick. Stones are a game changer and if they can’t be dislodged or broken with the crowbar a change of location might be required. Of course, all of this is rendered obsolete if you own a posthole auger and a 50 hp tractor. Zip, zip and it’s done. There’s no chance to linger and sniff the dirt anymore. But there will always be those special places where the fifty horses lock onto a piece of the Canadian Shield three feet down and grunt to an abrupt halt. Then it will take picks, shovels, crowbars and profanity to hack a hole three times larger than what was planned. Sometime through the afternoon I will pause the operation to stick my head in the dirt and breathe it all in. Because it is very good for one’s mental health. LARKSPUR SUPPER CLUB
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