
By Co-Publishers Kaitlyn Clark & Jillian Zynomirski
While autumn may not officially start until September 23, kids are back in school – a sure sign that summer is ending. Another sign is the many fields across Haldimand that are full-to-bursting with crops, and those that have already been cut down and harvested. In fact, the word “harvest” actually comes from the Old English word “hærf-est”, meaning “autumn” or “August”.
Of course, for crop farmers, the entire growing cycle comes with important milestones and needs, each a little different depending on the crop. We discussed this earlier in the year, as the mass amounts of rain pushed the planting window further and further ahead. Some farmers were left having to choose between accepting unseeded acreage insurance monies to cover their losses, or gambling on a good season making up for the delay. For those that made the gamble, harvest time is when they see how that gamble paid off – or didn’t.
Farmers are always vulnerable to the instability of their work. Whether growing plants or raising livestock, it only takes one disease to take down a farmer’s supply. In addition, farmers are open to the ever-shifting markets and may find their best products suddenly don’t sell for as much anymore.
There are many things farmers can do to prepare for the many challenges they may face, such as adopting new technologies and best practices. However, these changes aren’t necessarily easy, or cheap, to implement.
The Haldimand Press publishes these agricultural editions to bring light to both the challenges farmers face, and the growth farmers have managed despite these challenges.
This third annual harvest edition will explore subjects such as the role of women on the farm, both historyically and today; the variety of farming that takes place even right here in Haldimand, including a feature on alpacas; the technology involved in making today’s farms profitable and efficient, such as grain elevators; and much more.
And of course, these special agricultural editions are also our chance to say thank you to our local farmers for all of their hard work and dedication. Along with keeping our bellies full by producing the food we eat, farmers also contribute to the economy, provide jobs, and more. So, if you are a farmer or are involved in supporting the agriculture industry, we thank you!