Who uses it and why?

Members of the public

Are you among those who, as they stand at the grocery checkout counter, take a peek at their neighbour's cart? You may have noticed that there's more to fresh produce than potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, beans and peas. Today you're just as likely to find bean sprouts, bok choy, a variety of melons, mint, etc. Read the article What's in your grocery cart? to discover new crops on the rise since 2001 and read an explanation for this change in attitude.

Canadian wines earn awards! Learn more about the essential conditions for making wine in Canada. Did you know that the Niagara Peninsula is at about the same latitude as vineyards in the south of France? Find out about The Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) standard. Discover ways Canadian grape farmers can discourage birds from eating their grapes. All this and a lot more in the article From Concord to Chardonnay: Canada's grape transformation.

Farmers

Farmers are looking for new challenges! Does a niche market exist for industrial hemp? Don't misunderstand, this isn't about the narcotic hemp, but about industrial hemp, one of a subculture of promising, ecologically balanced and environmentally sustainable industries. Health Canada's regulation on hemp growers is also explained. To learn about hemp's future possibilities, read the article From barn to yarn: Weaving a niche market for industrial hemp.

Environmentalists

Calling all environmentalists! What do you know about agriculture in urban zones? Read the article They're tilling that field behind the mall to learn how that farmland acts as a sink for greenhouse gases.

The extra greenhouse gases generated by humans, however, are more than the biosphere's natural sinks can easily absorb. All the major sectors of Canada's economy, including agriculture, produce some of the three main greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. The article Greenhouse gases: Is agriculture part of the problem, or part of the solution? gives a detailed description of these three gases and their link to agriculture.

Nutritionists

Nutritionists say Canadians should aim to get their fat consumption below 30% of their diet. But they also know that a certain amount of fat is essential to keep us healthy. This is why the better oilseeds, such as hemp, deserve a place on our pantry shelf. Read the article There's omegas in those hemp seeds to learn more.

Business people, researchers and educators

Business people, you'll take a tour of exciting new trends in an important sector of the economy: global positioning systems, organic farming and pesticide use, the cost of farming equipment and the so-called "new" crops such as ginseng, oriental vegetables and sunflower seed, when you read the article What's in your grocery cart?

Researchers may be surprised to learn how to make corn into car fuel and plastics, as well as goat's milk into super silk. Interested? Read the article A science-fiction harvest.

Educators can use it as a teaching resource to show students how agriculture affects their everyday life. Clear plain language, with full-colour photographs throughout, can't help but interest them. The article Little bees, big potential could surprise them!

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