FARM TO FOOD

The Gleaner

Launched on September 18, 2025, the “Farm to Food” podcast is broadcast on a bi-weekly basis to increase coverage of the Chateauguay Valley’s largest economic sector - agriculture - and, of course, everyone eats everyday (at least we hope so!) so there is always a lot of interest in all things agri-food.  Whether you're a farmer, a foodie, or simply curious about where your meals come from, Farm to Food connects you to the full journey — from soil to supper. Each episode features down-to-earth conversations with local farmers, agri-food innovators, and global experts on everything from organic farming to processing, sustainability, and food security. Recorded at the historic Ormstown Fairgrounds, the show offers real insights into Quebec’s rural communities and the people who keep us well fed. Plus, stay updated with timely agri-news and local food stories that matter. For producers, processors, and curious eaters alike — Farm to Food is your guide to understanding how our food systems work, who makes them thrive, and why it all matters. From bumble bees and microdistilleries to the dairy industry, cash cropping, and extreme weather, we’ll explore it all. Listen, learn, and support local – because farming isn't just for farmers — it's for everyone who eats!

  1. 2d ago

    Farm to Food World Tour - "Agriculture Without Borders"

    The theme of this episode is “Agriculture Without Borders”, a world tour. Agriculture may be local, but the forces shaping farming today are increasingly global — from trade and climate pressures to food security, politics and consumer expectations.  In this Farm to Food episode, we bring together agricultural journalists from Canada, Ireland and Jordan for a global roundtable on what’s happening in their regions, the biggest challenges facing farmers across the globe, and what the coming months may hold for the agri-food sector worldwide. Thanks to the International Forum of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) for helping to make the connections. Our guests in this episode: Owen Roberts - Guelph, Ontario Owen Roberts is an agricultural journalist and communications instructor based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He is a trustee of the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism and an associate editor (communications) for the Journal of Agromedicine. Previously, Owen was president of the International Forum for Agricultural Journalists, an agricultural communications faculty member at the University of Illinois, and research communications director at the University of Guelph. His programs and research papers have been recognized through awards from the Journal of Applied Communications, the National Agri-Marketing Association, the Association for Communications Excellence and the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. Rachel Martin - Belfast, N. Ireland Rachel is an agricultural journalist and Farming Editor at the Irish Examiner, writing for a national audience covering farming, agri-food, agri-technology and the environment, for both farming and non-farming audiences - bridging farm-level realities with the wider conversation. Alongside reporting, she leads and contributes to a number of international initiatives in agricultural journalism. Rachel is a past recipient of the Alltech / International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Young Leader in Agricultural Journalism award (2017), as well as the Caterpillar/IFAJ Ag-tech Reporting Award (2019) and the Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists Climate Reporting Award (2022). Farah Ahmed Atyyat - Amman, Jordan Farah is a journalist at the Al-Ghad Daily Newspaper covering environmental, climate change and agricultural issues in Jordan and the Middle East-North Africa region for more than 19 Years. Previously she worked as a correspondent for a number of Arabic TV channels such as Kuwait and Oman TV. During her work, she has earned a numerous Arab and international awards for the journalistic excellence including The Qarib Journalism Award 2023, the 2023-Arab Media Excellence Award, organized by League of Arab States, and the 2022 Media Freedom Award, organized by the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ). Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    59 min

  2. May 16

    14. Bees & Pollination

    In this episode of the Farm to Food podcast, we explore the essential role bees and pollinators play in agriculture across Quebec and why their future matters to farmers, food production, and biodiversity. From honeybees working vast crop fields to native pollinators thriving in wild spaces, we look at how pollination supports everything from berries and apples to vegetables and seed production. We also examine the growing pressures facing bee populations, including climate change, habitat loss, parasites, disease, and pesticide exposure. The episode dives into the ongoing debate around agricultural pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, and how farmers are balancing crop protection with pollinator health.  We also explore the unique challenges of beekeeping in rural Quebec: harsh winters, varroa mites, unpredictable weather, declining forage diversity, and the economics of maintaining healthy hives in a changing agricultural landscape. Jackie Rourke visited with our own Farmer Phil Quinn at his farm in L’Île-Perrot , where they talked about his passion for bees and how he got started Sarah Rennie speaks with:  - Greg Edwards, who runs an organic blueberry farm on Covey Hill in Havelock QC, about honeybees and native bees and the challenges bee keeping; - Amélie Morin, a University of Laval researcher on bee nutrition and riparian strips. - Sascha MacIntosh-Hobson, an agronomist, on the regulations around pesticides.  - Holly Dressel, author, writer/researcher for David Suzuki. Holly spoke about the impact that pesticides are having on bee populations, and how farmers continue to use pesticides. Callan Forrester speaks with Brandon Borland, a Chateauguay Valley Regional High School teacher who is working with students on a project to teach students about raising bees. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    1h 11m

  3. May 7

    13. Organic Farming

    In this episode of our Farm to Food podcast, we dig into the realities behind organic farming, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, consumer trust, the use of pesticides in organic production, and the labelling of organic products. In This Episode What defines an organic farm in CanadaThe difference between conventional and organic pesticidesWhy some pesticides are still permitted in organic farmingHow CSA programs connect consumers directly with local farmsThe costs and challenges of organic certificationWhether “organic” always means small-scale or localConsumer confusion around labels, marketing, and transparencyThe future of regenerative and sustainable agriculture Hugh Maynard speaks with his neighbour, Steve Lalonde, about organic field crops and his transition to organic farming in 2000. Sarah Rennie talks with Fred Thériault from the Réseau des fermiers-ères de famille / Family Farmers Network (RFF) about CSA programs and the role of the RFF. Sarah also speaks with Jamie and Nora Quinn of La Terre Bleue about their farm and what it was like being one of the first CSA farms in the region. She then speaks with Jess Elwell from the CSA farm Coop les Jardins de la Résistance about the importance of certification, the use of pesticides in organic farming, and organic labelling. Callan Forrester wraps up the episode with conversations with consumers about if, when, and why they choose organic products. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    56 min

  4. Apr 16

    12. Global Disruption - Local Impact

    Thank you for joining us for this latest episode of the Farm  to Food podcast, presented to you by Desjardins. Global disruption is hitting close to home. In this episode, we look at how climate shifts, geopolitics, volatile markets, and new technologies are reshaping day-to-day decisions on small and mid-sized farms across rural Quebec. From rising input costs to changing consumer habits, local food systems are being pushed to adapt - fast. Callan Forrester hits the streets to hear how rising fuel prices are driving up food costs - and how consumers are coping. Sarah Rennie speaks with UPA Montérégie president Jérémie Letellier about the mounting pressures on Quebec farmers, from global market swings to policy challenges that threaten long-term viability. Organic Farmer Reid Alloway of Ferme Tourne-Sol shares why he’s moving away from fossil fuels toward electric - less about saving money, more about performance and resilience. And David Hall of Hallacres Farm, and director with the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers federation, breaks down how rising fuel costs - and a recent syrup fraud scandal - are putting more pressure the maple industry. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: the Livestock Breeders’ Association, and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic! Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    1h 10m

  5. Mar 24

    11. Farm succession - la relève

    Farm succession - la relève - is one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture in Quebec today. With thousands of farmers approaching retirement age and farmland prices rising, the question of who will take over the next generation of farms has become one of the defining issues for agriculture. Without successful succession, farms risk being consolidated, sold, or lost altogether. Supporting la relève isn’t just about preserving family farms - it’s about food sovereignty, rural vitality, and the future of agriculture in Quebec. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to pass a farm on: financially, emotionally, and culturally. From family dynamics to policy supports, we dig into the realities behind keeping farms alive across generations. Hugh Maynard speaks with Claudia Meganck, director of ARAMO and member of the Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec (Montérégie ouest), about the next generation of farmers and the future of agriculture in Quebec.Sarah Rennie talks with Nick Oakley, a business development lead with Farm Management Canada about navigating farm transitions and the importance of starting the planning process before it’s too late.Sarah also interviews Noel Erskine, a fifth generation dairy farmer who successfully took over his family’s farm in Hinchinbrooke.Mackenzie Peddie, a junior reporter with the Gleaner, recently took part in the Quebec 4-H Innovative Ag Tour in Sawyerville. She caught up with some 4-H kids during the event to chat about their future plans in farming. Callan Forrester, The Gleaner’s news reporter, interviews Christina Franc, the new CEO of 4-H Canada, about succession planning and how 4-H teaches young farmers the necessary skills to be ready when the time comes to take over. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    1h 6m

  6. Mar 6

    10. Maple Syrup

    Maple syrup tapping in Quebec, which produces over 70% of the world's supply, has evolved from Indigenous V-notch methods in the 16th century to modern vacuum-sealed tubing systems. Quebec, where le temps des sucres is a cultural cornerstone, currently uses over 46 million taps, with production strictly regulated by the PPAQ to ensure sustainability. Each spring in Quebec, as the days warm and the nights still dip below freezing, maple trees begin to release their sap. For thousands of producers across the province, this signals the start of maple season — a short but intense period that turns forests into working sugar bushes. Quebec produces the vast majority of Canada’s maple syrup, making it the heart of a global industry rooted in tradition, family farms, and the careful management of maple forests. While technology has modernized many operations, the rhythm of the season is still dictated by the weather. In this episode, we speak with local maple producers about life in the sugar bush, the challenges and rewards of the season, and why maple syrup remains such an important part of Quebec’s rural economy. We also talk with a holistic nutrition consultant about maple syrup as a natural sweetener and how it compares to more highly processed sugars. From forest to table, maple syrup remains one of Quebec’s most iconic and enduring agricultural products. In this episode: Hugh Maynard speaks with David Hall, owner of Hallacres Farm near Knowlton, Quebec, and a director with the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers federation. Sarah Rennie stops by Vergers Blair Orchards to chat with Jeff Blair about producing maple syrup on the farm in Franklin, Quebec, for five generations. Callan explains how maple syrup is graded. Sarah speaks with Laurie Ann Prevost, who is known for her processed maple products. Sarah also takes some time to talk with Kim L’Ecuyer, a holistic nutrition consultant. Callan closes the show with the answer to Phil’s question: 'Why does peanut butter thicken when you add maple syrup to it?' Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    56 min

  7. Feb 18

    9. Mental Health & Farming

    Mental Health & Farming Farming is more than an occupation - it’s a culture, a heritage, and often a family legacy passed down through generations. But behind the beauty of rural life, many farmers face intense mental health pressures that are too often hidden or unspoken. In this episode, we explore the realities of mental health in Canadian agricultural communities - from financial stress and climate uncertainty to isolation, succession pressure, and the emotional responsibility of caring for animals, land, and family farms. Farming feeds our communities - but farmers need support too. This conversation aims to make mental health in agriculture an everyday discussion and remind listeners that help is available and no one has to face these challenges alone. In this episode, Hugh Maynard speaks with Merle Massie, a Saskatchewan farmer and executive director of the Do More Ag Foundation, which has its own podcast: https://www.domore.ag/hayareweokay Sarah Rennie spoke with Pierre Rivard, a training specialist with the Montreal Suicide Prevention Centre, about his role training individuals to become Gatekeepers (Sentinels).  Callan Forrester interviewed Lise Bates about Au coeur des familles agricoles, or ACFA, a Quebec organization that works directly with farmers and their loved ones who are struggling with mental illness. Content Warning: this episode discusses suicide. If you are struggling, please check the following resources mentioned in this episode: Do More Agriculture Foundation - national resources and initiatives focused on mental health in agriculture Montreal Suicide Prevention Centre - confidential support and crisis intervention  The Gatekeeper (suicide prevention) training program - helping people recognize warning signs and respond safely  Au coeur Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    1h 2m

  8. Feb 4

    8. Animal Care & Livestock Well-being

    Farm animals and their products are the biggest segment of Canadian agriculture, and certainly a big part of the food chain downstream in supermarkets, restaurants, and on consumers’ kitchen tables. With the rise of large farms and mass production techniques, animal well-being has become an issue not only for consumers, but also for farmers who depend on the well-being of their livestock in order to be efficient and produce a quality product. In this episode, Hugh Maynard talks with Jackie Wepruk, Executive Director of the National Farm Animal Care Council, about the care and handling of farm animals. Sarah Rennie speaks with Jodi Wallace, a world-renowned veterinarian, co-owner of the Ormstown Veterinary Hospital, and dairy farmer at Anderson Farms in Très-Saint-Sacrement. They discuss how animal care in dairy production is evolving and the important role veterinarians play on the farm. Sarah Rennie also speaks with Doug Bryson, a sixth-generation farmer and start-up chicken producer in Ormstown. Doug produces meat chickens, and they talk about the production cycle, the supply management system and chicken market, animal care, and the ever-present threat of avian flu for poultry producers across the province. Callan Forrester speaks with Tiffany McNaughton, a part-time farmer who runs Fertile Valley Farm, home to an eclectic collection of animals, offering a small-scale, hands-on perspective. Together, they discuss what animal care looks like in practice, how standards and ethics translate on the ground, and why livestock well-being matters - for animals, farmers, and the food systems we all rely on. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with charitable status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki, sales & marketing …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic!

    1 hr
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About

Launched on September 18, 2025, the “Farm to Food” podcast is broadcast on a bi-weekly basis to increase coverage of the Chateauguay Valley’s largest economic sector - agriculture - and, of course, everyone eats everyday (at least we hope so!) so there is always a lot of interest in all things agri-food.  Whether you're a farmer, a foodie, or simply curious about where your meals come from, Farm to Food connects you to the full journey — from soil to supper. Each episode features down-to-earth conversations with local farmers, agri-food innovators, and global experts on everything from organic farming to processing, sustainability, and food security. Recorded at the historic Ormstown Fairgrounds, the show offers real insights into Quebec’s rural communities and the people who keep us well fed. Plus, stay updated with timely agri-news and local food stories that matter. For producers, processors, and curious eaters alike — Farm to Food is your guide to understanding how our food systems work, who makes them thrive, and why it all matters. From bumble bees and microdistilleries to the dairy industry, cash cropping, and extreme weather, we’ll explore it all. Listen, learn, and support local – because farming isn't just for farmers — it's for everyone who eats!

Information

  • Creator
    The Gleaner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FARM TO FOOD
  • Show Website
    FARM TO FOOD