Agricultural communications diploma opening up to wider audience

(GUELPH, April 28, 2009) — Canada’s online agricultural communications diploma program at the University of Guelph is opening to a wider global audience. 

The three three-day residencies that were part of the limited-enrolment program are being replaced with online learning modules to make the program more accessible, says Owen Roberts, the program’s academic coordinator. 

“The feedback we’re getting is that the residencies restrict too many potential learners from enrolling,” says Roberts. “We want the program to be as widely available as possible, so we are eliminating the residencies.”

Roberts says lessons normally in the residencies, particularly photography and citizen journalism, will be offered online instead. Student presentations that were part of the residencies will be given through videoconferencing or other electronic communications means.

The agricultural communications diploma program is the only one of its kind. The 16-month, five-course program is dedicated to communications skill development and application. It concludes with a three-month virtual internship which pairs student learners with a communications initiative at an agricultural business, agency or organization.    

Applications are being accepted now for the 2009-2010 cohort. For more information, visit www.agcommunications.ca or contact Roberts at owen@uoguelph.ca.

The cost of an oasis in the Sonoran Desert

Drought and a drop in underground water levels are challenges for farmers everywhere. For example, Arizona farmers are trying to maintain an adequate water supply for their operations. Add on a new ‘lakeside’ residential development and it becomes a critical issue.

While living beside a pristine, tranquil lake sounds appealing and is a key tool for selling houses even in these difficult economic times, the reality is, this city is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, in central Arizona. The lake is manmade and feeds the underground irrigation system that is necessary to keep the large lawns thriving even in the hot dry summer months. A nearby golf course adds to the appeal of this community, but also requires regular watering to keep the greens green.

Most of the water in the Maricopa/Pinal County area is supplied by the Central Arizona Project (CAP). Through a 336-mile long system of aqueducts, tunnels, pumping plants and pipelines, CAP carries Colorado River water from Lake Havasu to the area just southwest of Tucson, where it is managed by individual irrigation districts. Farmers must purchase water to supplement their own supplies from their local irrigation district. Some water comes from natural aquifers, but the aquifers are draining faster than they are being recharged. Eight of the past nine years have been very dry. The groundwater level is dropping and local rivers are drying up. The average annual rainfall is only 11 inches, and when it does rain flooding occurs.

Water starved alfalfa field

Arizona’s agriculture depends on water for irrigation of its crops and watering of its livestock. In fact, water supply is a producer’s highest cost! Some are forced to drastic measures. For example, to ensure an adequate water supply for its 10,000 head dairy herd, Shamrock Farms was forced to drill a well more than 1,650 feet deep. Crop farmers are forced to build irrigation ditches on their land to feed the water to their fields and are using advanced laser leveling technology to ensure optimum water flow to their entire crop. Some fields remain uncultivated due to the lack of water supply.

More emphasis must be placed on water preservation and smarter use of this precious resource as the population in this area grows. The appeal of living in the desert is what drew people to this area. More emphasis should be put on desert-adapted landscaping and making wise water use choices. Maintaining a grass lawn in Arizona wastes a considerable amount of water with the constant watering that is necessary in the summer. There are beautiful native shrubs, trees and cactus that are pleasing to the eye and require little water. Perhaps a higher rate could be charged to those who do not use water responsibly.

There is a need to start conserving water supplies to protect the quality of life in the desert environment, today. Conservation and good sense can lead to ensuring that there is enough water available for Arizona’s farmers for years to come.

Irrigation hoses

Southern Arizona Adventure

 

Arizona in February was definitely an ideal place to be over the past week of our adventure.  Cloudless blue skies, sunshine and warm breezes made our week in the Cochise County area of southern Arizona wonderful.  

Once we got over our ‘truck’ lag, we decided it was time to stretch those bike pedaling muscles that had been hibernating since last summer.  A relaxing cycle tour around the campground introduced us to a number of new friends and to one local resident who was to become our arch nemesis during our stay in Benson.  You see, Valley Vista was the perfect habitat for the proliferation of the nasty Tribulus terrestris.  This wicked little fellow was responsible for three flat tires on our bikes shortly after our very first ride. We were informed that Slime, from the local Walmart would help to keep the dreaded ‘Goat’s Head’ at bay, at least for the sake of our bike tires.  The thorns were constantly stuck in our shoes and outdoor mats, which would allow them a ride in to the trailer, where they would lay in wait of an unsuspecting sock clad foot. Ouch!

               

Just south of our home base was the historic mining town of Tombstone known as ‘the town too tough to die’ and home of the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral.  Visits to the historic American west buildings and walking the same streets that Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday had in the 1880s was like a trip back to the old west. Strapping on a six-shooter and donning a cowboy hat would’ve been most appropriate, but instead we settled for sipping a margarita at the Six Gun City gunfight. 

 

A short drive through the mountains to the south leads to the city of Bisbee, once known as “the Queen of the Copper Camps”.  Founded in 1880, this mining camp was one of the richest mineral sites in the world. Bisbee was a thriving mining town until the 1970s when mining became unprofitable. Now the town has been revitalized by artisans, craftsmen, and retirees who fell for its charm.  Restored Victorian and European style homes and buildings, built in to the hillsides now house cafes, boutiques, galleries, studios and unique accommodations.  Our stroll through Bisbee was a delightful way to spend an afternoon.

 

Another day another tour, and this time it was to Tucson’s Pima Air & Space Museum and the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) , also known as the “Boneyard”. After spending a couple of hours touring the museum exhibits, including boarding Kennedy’s Air Force One, it was time for our trip to AMARG.  After a security check and passport verification we were on our way to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.  Seeing over 4,400 military aircraft and aerospace vehicles parked in the desert awaiting regeneration or disposal was amazing.

 

Gammons Gulch is an old west town, movie set and museum set in the high desert, at Pomerene.  Founder, Jay Gammon, was more than happy to take us on a personally guided tour through the town that he has built.  We were entertained by his stories of: how he acquired the cars and other historical items; movies and videos filmed there; and of his father who was John Wayne’s bodyguard.

 

On our last day in this area of Arizona, there was one more place that we knew we shouldn’t miss – Chiricahua National Monument.  The forecast was for rain, but the sky was still blue as we headed out on our trip to higher elevations.  Would the weather hold off long enough for us to visit this natural wonder?  Snow was on the roadsides as we made the 8-mile scenic winding drive to Massai Point (elevation 6870 ft/2094 m), the top of what is referred to as a ’sky island’.  Russ will tell you that the views of the pinnacles or standing up rocks were incredible from above.  But if you ask me, I will say the view is even better from below, when you can fully appreciate the magnitude of their height and size (and you don’t have to venture out on a cliff to see them).  As we drove back to our campsite the skies turned dark over the Chiricahuas, and rain and snow began to fall – our timing had been perfect for our visit.

 

The Adventure Begins

When morning broke on Thursday January 29, it was another typical winter morning in sourthern Ontario, another cold windy day with snow flurries.  But what made this day special, was that it was the beginning of Kathie & Russ’s Amazing Arizona Adventure.  The truck and trailer were ready the night before, and after a quick goodbye to our son and daughter-in-law and their two boys, our rig was heading for the warmer climes, and that was to be a few days journey away.

 

Snow was still falling during our travels through Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.  The devastation of the ice storm in Kentucky, two days before, was evident even from the interstate on which we travelled, with miles and miles of broken trees and downed hydro lines.  As we drove south we met hundreds of hydro trucks heading north to help with the disaster relief efforts.  The weather forecast was for more snow and we began to wonder if we would ever leave winter in our tracks.

 

Our arrival in Nashville, Tennessee was also the arrival of spring like weather, and we were absolutely delighted to have left the chill of the north behind. The sun, which was now shining on a daily basis began to thaw out our icy bodies and rejuvenate our souls.  The anticipation of reaching our destination of Arizona was escalating as the temperature each day rose, so the driver put the ‘pedal to the metal’ through Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas.  The mountains of Arkansas and New Mexico, the scenic hill country of Texas with its sprawling cattle ranches, cotton plantations that seemed to go on forever and the endless miles of wind farms and oil rigs were rapidly in our rear view mirror.

 

Arizona was ours in four and a half days!  We are now settled in to our first weeklong home of Valley Vista RV Resort, Benson, Arizona.

 

Obama’s change government will impact Canadian agriculture

Obama’s grassroots presidential campaign and promises of change was successful, but what will it mean to Canadian agriculture?

During his leadership quest Barack Obama stated that he will reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) if elected president.   President-elect Obama’s rural plan supports implementation of the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law, which requires that all meat products indicate their country of origin.

Ron Bonnett, 2^nd Vice President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) says that two issues will have the most impact: the general state of the economy, and trade.  “What Obama does to stabilize the markets will be important.  There is a cost of credit when trying to bring stability in to the market,” said Bonnett in a telephone interview last week.

When Obama becomes president on January 20, 2009, the major issue facing the new administration will be the financial crisis and what to do about it.  This may delay emphasis on other areas including agricultural issues, such as COOL and NAFTA for a while.

When it comes to trade, especially NAFTA and COOL, Bonnett says, “Canada needs to keep an eye on this closely, as it could have a great effect on costs to farmers and to consumers.” 

Bonnett said that, “COOL has already had a negative impact on livestock producers here in Canada.”  Some meat plants in the US are already refusing to accept Canadian cattle and hogs for processing and that this will put more Canadian producers out of business.  Under COOL, Canadian cattle and pigs must be kept segregated in US feedlots and packing plants.  The inconvenience and costs associated with this has some deciding to deal in US produced livestock only.

Commodities covered under COOL include:  muscle cuts of beef (including veal), lamb, chicken, goat, and pork; ground beef, ground lamb, ground chicken, ground goat, and ground pork; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish; perishable agricultural commodities (fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables); macadamia nuts; pecans; ginseng; and peanuts.

 

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America,” Obama said in his historical victory address.

 

Change has and will continue to come to those who trade with the US.  How much Obama’s new policies will hinder cross border trade with Canada, how new rules will impact on Canadian farmers and consumers and how great the effect the US financial crisis will have on commodity prices around the world is history in the making.  As stated by CFA’s Bonnett, “It remains to be seen how Obama’s presidency will affect Canadian agriculture.”

Most Canadians support biotechnology, poll shows

A new poll shows that over 8 in 10 Canadians support research and the use of products and processes that involve biotechnology.  When the group was asked if they believe that they would personally benefit from advances in biotechnology in their lifetime, 23 per cent responded that they would not .

 

In BIOTECanada’s 2007 survey, only nine per cent of respondents believed they would not benefit from biotechnology.  In a telephone interview last week Philip Schwab, BIOTECanada’s vice president industry relations was asked if this increase in non-believers could be due to the continuing representation of the evils of biotechnology and genetically modified products in the media.  Schwab responded, “Ag biotech is often portrayed in the media that the majority of the public is against it, but if you are working in the biotech industry the benefits are clear – Canadians support the technology.” 

 

There is a great deal of evidence in biotechnology’s achievements such as the success of biofuels, renewable energy sources and in how biotech has improved nutritional benefits in food products. “Canadians do see the benefits biotechnology offers in agriculture,” said Schwab. 

 

As consumer demands for low food costs along with high quality products grows, farmers continue to look for advances in biotechnology for better production methods and continued improvements in products including enhanced disease and insect resistance, better performance under stressed conditions such as drought and heat, better yields and improved nutritional values of food crops.

 

The survey points out that almost 90 per cent of Canadians believe biotechnology is important to Canada’s future economic prosperity. As well, 85 per cent supported the use of government financial incentives to encourage innovation in the biotechnology industry.  This could be done through either tax breaks, grants for research and product development and to provide incentives to encourage the use of biotechnologies among Canadian businesses and the public.

 

Schwab calls BIOTECanada, “Canada’s voice for biotechnology”. It is a national association, fully member supported with its 230 members being established or related companies involved in biotech in agriculture, health and industrial. 

 

The results of the 2008 survey show that a majority of Canadians do value the contribution of biotechnology to their food, and their environment.  They believe biotechnology is important to the economy and they want their governments to support biotechnology. 

 

And this is good news for farmers who need the public’s support, not their opposition, as they strive to find better ways to farm and to use all of the technology available to them.

 

The complete results of the 2008 survey are available by clicking here

Back to School

Back to school jitters is a common August ailment in most homes with school aged children. 

 

While back to school shopping with my 14 year old grand-daughter, Ashleigh, this summer (and yes, just like in the very well broadcast television commercial for a well known department store, she wanted jeans, a hoodie and a backpack), she shared that she was feeling quite nervous about returning to school for Grade 10, after her summer vacation. “What if none of my friends are in my class?” “What if I get too much homework this year?” “What am I going to wear?” These were some of her major concerns.

 

Amazingly these were some of the same questions that had been rolling around in my head since deciding to participate in the Diploma in Agricultural Communications program at the University of Guelph. Yes, back to school jitters were alive and well deep inside this Grandma who was returning to school.  I was not only worried about whether I would have time for homework in addition to working full-time and what to wear on that very important first day of class.  I was also extremely anxious about whether I really could be a student again, thirty years after graduation.

 

Now here it is the middle of September and Ashleigh and I have both survived back to school.  We are both getting settled in to our schedules for studying, completing assignments and we are getting excited about the new things that we are learning.  Plus, those new hoodies we bought back in August, are keeping us warm on these cool autumn mornings.

 

Welcome to Kathie MacDonald’s Rural Routes

Blogging is all new to me, so please be patient with me. On these pages I will share some of my experiences as a member of the Diploma in Agricultural Communications program at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada and hopefully provide you with some ‘food’ for thought on rural and agricultural issues.  I may even entertain you a little in the process.  I hope you will be interested in where my rural routes lead me.