Farmer Julia's Blog

I'm attending the Slow Food Canada National Summit this week in beautiful Invermere, BC. Slow Food is an international organization that started in the 1980's embracing a comprehensive approach to food that recognizes the strong connections between plate, planet, people, politics and culture. Slow Food has been active in Canada for more than 10 years with active convivia across the country.

Charges of animal abuse at one of Canada's largest dairy farms is all over the news this week. Twenty counts of animal cruelty have been laid against Chiliwack Cattle Sales and seven of its employees. You may remember these allegations that surfaced last June when a video was released by Mercy for Animals Canada showing the cows being lashed with canes and chains and punched and kicked.

World renowned animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin was in town last night and I had the privilege to attend her talk along with most of the Urban Digs team. As usual, she was compelling, inspiring and engaging. Something she said has stuck with me since last night.... "Big is fragile." 

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization passed a resolution in 2013 to officially designate 2016 the year of the pulses and we couldn't be more thrilled. Canadian farmers make up more than 35% of global pulse production and that number is sure to rise with the popularity of these nutrient rich foods.

It's family day on Monday and I can't think of a better way to spend it than together in the kitchen. The dark, dreary days of February are a great time to gather around the counter in the warm & cozy kitchen with the people you love the most. 

Families that cook together experience many benefits. In addition to fostering family togetherness, research shows that it also...