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This article discusses the importance of wheat production and the issue of urban sprawl in Quebec. It also examines the seigneurial system of dividing farmland and the current changes in dairy farming. The article highlights the impact of farms on the community and the loan program offered to young farmers.
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In Canada, wheat is a staple. • Staple is a crop that can be produced easily & lots of money can be made selling it to other countries. • Selling our produces to other countries is called exporting.
Western provinces in Canada (ex: Saskatchewan) produce wheat. • Canadian wheat is exported all over the world. • This generates large profits for Canada and its farmers.
Wheat is used to make flour. • The grains are grinded into a powder and then treated in order to preserve the product. • Ex. of wheat products: • Breads • Pasta • Any type of dough • Cereal • Beer and liquors • Flour
Sharing a territory • In general, cities and farms are located at a short distance from one another. • Farms need to be preserved because we need food in order to survive. • Food production will continue to increase as the population nearby rises (logical).
A growing population does pose a problem! • For example, most of Quebec’s population live in the St. Lawrence Plain. • It is also where most of Quebec’s farmland is located.
As Quebec’s population increases, more farm land will be needed to build new communities or expand existing ones. This is called URBAN SPRAWL. • In the future, we may not have enough farmland to produce enough food for the entire population
Farms in Quebec • In Quebec, cities developed close to farms for many years. • The first farms and cities were started in the St. Lawrence valley.
This area has a suitable (good) climate and fertile soil (ideal for farming). • Also, the river made shipping and travel easy.
Some crops can be grown in soil that is less fertile. • They are able to survive in harsh (rough) climate. • These crows, however, tend to be sold at a low price (less profit for farmers). • Farmers use the money they make from crop sales to pay off their expenses.
Quebec farmers make the most profit producing or selling the following: • Dairy products • Cattle • Pork • Fodder (crops used to feed livestock)
In recent years, cities in Quebec have been encroaching on farmland. • Quebec’s land is fertile. • Most money-making (profitable) crops can not be grown in our soil and climate.
Divided Space Seigneurial system • This system of dividing farmland was used in many French colonies over 400 years ago. • French king gave land to wealthy seigneurs (landlord). • Landlord then divided his land into a system of ranges (long narrow rectangles next to water and/or roads).
Farmers would be allowed to farm the land. • Farmers would give the landlord a “tithe” (tax). • Ranges were very close together. • Strong sense of community and mutual help. • Today, disputes arise over farming techniques. For example: A farmer that uses a lot of chemical fertilizers may accidently contaminate the neighbouring farm which only grows organic crops.
Today, the number of farms in Quebec is decreasing. • However, the size of farms is getting bigger. • Wealthy farmers and large corporations (big companies) are buying smaller family farms. • Many of these farms are producing high profit crops.
Quebec Dairy Production in 2014 • Farming has changed a lot the last 30 years. • Today, most farmers use chemical fertilizers and genetically modify their crops. • Dairy farming practises has not changed much in recent years. • Dairy farming is Quebec’s most important farming industry in .
In Quebec, 1 in 4 farms are dairy farms. • Quebec produces 1/3 of Canada’s dairy products. • There are 3 major dairy producers in Quebec that produce more than 75% of its milk. • Agropur • Saputo • Parmalat
Organized Space • Rural:countryside, farmland, less developed, small population. • Urban: city, highly developed, large population
How are farms good for its community? • Provide farm-related jobs • Develop retail – products that are sold to the public. • Provide a public service – it supplies dairy products to local communities.
Farming associations • Veteran farmers (experienced) develop groups to help young farmers. • They also set crop prices and set aside money for the purchase of new equipment.
Farm Credit Canada is offering young farmers a loan program (a program that lends money) • Regina, Saskatchewan, November 6, 2013 – Farm Credit Canada has offered a loan program that is designed to help young farmers purchase (buy) or improve farmland and buildings. • “Young people are seeing a bright future in agriculture and we share that vision,” said FCC President and CEO Greg Stewart. “We listen to our customers and are committed to developing products and services tailored to young farmers and the unique needs of the farm industry.”
Global Ties • Quebec is linked to the larger global network. • The system of importing and exporting connects most countries in the world. • Today, a large portion of the food we eat comes from far away; especially outside of the growing season.
Concentration Phenomenon • The word concentration describes the control that a small number of corporations(big companies) have over food production. • They gain control by buying small family farms so that they can produce lots of food. Aerial view of the Aurora “Organic” Dairy
Ex: McDonald’s Corporation. • It regularly buys farms in order to grow crops (ex: wheat, potatoes & raise farm animals (for beef).
McDonald’s has just discovered bigger isn’t always better. McDonald’s—one of the nation’s largest egg purchasers—has just dropped one of the biggest egg producers in the U.S. after undercover filming showed abuse of chicks and hens at facilities in Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/egg-farm-practices-investigated-after-video-surfaces-1.2129744
Consequences of Concentration • Drop in the number of farms in one area • Increase in size of farms • Loss of family farms & farming communities • Drop in the range of different crops (variety) • Increase of food prices (certain foods will become rare). • Higher pollution levels
Agriculturally Zoned Land • Since 1978, Quebec farms are protected by law. • They are zoned as “green zones”. • 6.4 million hectares (100m by 100m) are protected in Qc. • The laws allow for farming and farming-related activities only. • These laws are meant to preserve (protect) our farms.
Why is this law necessary? • Protect family farms and farming communities. • Make sure that there is enough farmland to produce food. • Prevent or slowdown urban sprawl
Are these laws working? • This law continues to remain controversial. • For the law: believe it would put a stop to greedy developers buying and building over farmland. • Against the law: Believe the laws are weak (do not go far enough).
Production without destruction • We think of farming as “natural” and “simple way of life”. • However, creating farms mean land and forests need to be cleared. • Furthermore, an active farm requires the use of heavy machines, pesticides, and diversion (change the direction of) of streams and rivers.
Farming has the following effects on the environment: • Heavy fertilizers and pesticides will erode the soil & make their way into streams and groundwater. • Animal habitats are destroyed • extinction of certain plants & animals • Heavy chemicalsis bad for our health (farm workers and consumers).
Farming changes since the 1950’s • It has become more intensive. • It damages soil and pollutes water. • It produces tonnes of crops & animal feed • It raises and slaughters animals that made them more profit.
3 Sources of Pollution • There are three types of pollution: • 1. Agriculture (farms) • 2. Urban (cities) • 3. Industrial (factories) • Industry and urban form “point source pollution”, which means the source of pollution is identified and well-known. • Laws have been put in place to help fix the situation. • Agriculture is “non point source pollution”, which means pollution spreads outside of farms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f63pwrMXkV4 Watershed • It is an area of land where all the surface water drains into the same place, whether it's a creek, a stream, a river or an ocean.
Therefore, all precipitation, such as rain or snow, that falls on a watershed ends up flowing to the same place. • Many farms belong to the same watershed. • All of the waste, pesticides and fertilizers that are not absorbed by the crops will end up in the same water.
Hog Farming in Quebec • Quebec is the largest producer of pork in Canada. • Hog farms produce a lot of waste. • This waste ends up in our watersheds. • Hog waste contains high levels of methane and other types of chemicals that can damage our water supply. • In Quebec, the number of hog farms has been increasing and crop farms have been decreasing.
Hog waste makes an excellent fertilizer. • However, Quebec has less farmland to spread this “fertilizer”. • Because hog waste is liquid, it will be absorbed into the soil and end up in our water supply.
Intensive vs. SustainableAgriculture Intensive Farming: • Highly productive • Highly profitable • Highly competitive • Larger Farms • Use fertilizers and pesticides • Usually 1 type of crop is grown on site
Sustainable Farming: • Based on meeting the food needs of a family • Uses natural seeds • Farming methods are safe for the environment • Ex: Organic farms – farmers work as much as possible with natural products and practices. • Organic crops do not have any chemicals or genetic materials mixed into them.
