From Conventional to Organic

From Conventional to Organic

Growing government certified potato seed conventionally in Ontario is already a demanding business, requiring the purchase of disease-free seed and several annual farm visits by government inspectors. Why then, would anyone choose to add organic certification, with an additional annual farm visit and extensive record keeping? This month’s article will tell you why Henry Ellenberger took this decision thirty years ago on his Coe Hill farm north of Madoc. It will also explain why Henry is known far and wide for his high quality certified organic potato seed.

Saving Our Agricultural Heritage

Open hand holding seeds

Have you ever wondered where seeds that your grandparents planted have disappeared to? The assault on heritage farm crops has been going on for some time, as the multinational seed and pesticide giants gobble up smaller seed companies and trash the seeds that have no ‘commercial’ value for them. In this month’s article Mary Brittain not only describes the severe loss of heritage and other open-pollinated food plants but also shares with us some gems that can still be saved from extinction. Read about them and what you can do to save endangered seeds in her article here.