by Emily Leeson

Even though it’s still summer, Nova Scotia beekeeper Alex Crouse is already thinking about winter.  “We’re starting to look at colonies now,” he said recently. “This is when we’re going to have to start making decisions about what we’re going to overwinter and what these colonies need to survive into next spring.” When it comes to the health of his bees, Crouse has always welcomed the advice and expertise of those researching honeybees in the region. With new funding announced on Aug. 13 to promote various projects aimed at improving the health of bee populations in Atlantic Canada, Crouse said that’s good news all around.

by George Fullerton

More than 120 people took advantage of the warm and sunny weather on Aug. 7 to attend the Atlantic Forage Field Day at the Nappan Experimental Farm in Nappan, N.S. The field day is a collaborative effort of the Maritime Beef Council (MBC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and highlights research projects focused on improving pasture and forage crop production. MBC industry coordinator Amy Higgins started things off with some welcoming and housekeeping points.

by Matthew Carlson

Two pairs of mentors and mentees are the first matches in the Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum (NLYFF) mentorship pilot program. Krista Chatman of Three Mile Ridge farm in Lethbridge is paired with Damian Oliver of Musgravetown, and Brian Kowalski of Murray Meadows Farm in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s is paired with Emaad Al Ktifan, a Syrian refugee now living in St. John’s.