In this issue:
Messages from the Editorial Advisory Committee, President Katie Ward, Women’s President Toby Malloy, Youth President Stuart Oke; Regional Coordinators
Introducing Marcelle Paulin, Region 3 Women’s Advisor; Stewart Wells, 2nd Vice President (Operations); Lyle Orchard, Region 6 IPC Representative
Articles:
Inspiration, Motivation, Validation and a Sense of Community — by Justin L., Region 5 Youth Member – Community, family, inspiration, and hope. These words represent the feelings and emotions that people expressed and shared on the final day of the 2019 NFU Youth Convergence held at RKY Camp in Parham, Ontario.
Seed Rights for Vegetables and Fruit – The federal government is now looking to bring in regulations under the Plant Breeders Right Act (PBR Act) to completely remove the farmers’ privilege for new varieties of vegetables, fruits and ornamental crops.
Honouring the Spirit and Intent of the PEI Land Protections Act — by Doug Campbell, Region 1 District 1 Director – The primary focus of Region One, District One of the National Farmer Union this past year has been centered on the increasing intensity of the land grab on Prince Edward Island. The history of the Island is steeped in the land question. For generations Islanders have fought to have the right to own and control the Island’s primary resource – the land.
Regional Meeting – La Via Campesina North America, January 26-30, 2019 — by Joan Brady, La Via Campesina North American Regional Co-coordinator – Eight of ten member organizations of La Via Campesina (LVC) North America met in Mexico City to discuss priorities, develop an action plan and explore elements of the shared struggle.
La Via Campesina – Meeting of Regional Secretariats Brussels, February 11-13, 2019 — by Carla Fehr, NFU IPC Coordinator and La Via Campesina North America Regional Secretariat – At the meeting we discussed the advances, strengths and challenges of LVC’s regional secretariats. There is a large diversity of organizations, languages and cultures in our regions – this is an important richness but also a challenge.
Protecting the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas – the keynote address at the NFU 49th Annual Convention was a celebration of La Via Campesina’s (LVC) years of work to finally have the rights of peasants and rural people recognized by the United Nations.
DON and the Dilemma of Ontario’s 2018 Corn Crop — by Don Ciparis, NFU Region 3 Board Member and Region 3 Coordinator – Grain corn producers in parts of southern as well as eastern Ontario experienced a 2018 harvest they hope they will never have to experience again.
Announcing:
- 50th Anniversary Convention – Winnipeg, November 25 – 27, 2019
- Beingessner Award for Excellence in Writing – 2019 theme: Farmers are on the frontline of the climate crisis. At this critical juncture when farmers must consider and employ climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, what does farming in a changing climate look like to you?
- Indigenous Solidarity Working Group Webinar Series
