License to Farm: A Must See Film

Every time I step into a grocery store I stand in awe at the vast array of food available to us, all at a relatively low cost. Did you know that only 2% of the population, which includes my family, produce all the food we enjoy?

“2% of the population is producing the fantastic amount of food that we enjoy.” 

Dr. Joe Schwarcz, Director of McGill’s University Office for Science and Society 

This is just one piece of valuable information you’ll learn in the new License to Farm documentary presented by SaskCanola. For more info visit www.licensetofarm.com

If you’re a consumer (which we all are), you should watch this film. This could just be the most important 30 minutes of your day. Do me a favour, watch it. And follow the conversation on Twitter at #licensetofarm

Just in case you think, for some reason, that you don’t have 30 minutes to spare to watch this, I’ve highlighted some of the film’s key takeaways below. But I encourage you to watch it for more.

• The benefits of GM (genetically modified) technology greatly outweigh the risks. “There’s no credible evidence at all that anybody has ever been harmed by consuming genetically modified foods.” – Mark Lynas, Environmental Activist
• Farmers do not, I repeat do not, douse their fields in chemicals to increase profits. The vast majority, on average 99%, of what’s coming out of the sprayer when a farmer sprays a field is water. Pesticides are used to address a specific concern in a field such as insects, disease or weeds.
• Conventional farmers are environmentalists. Cutting edge technology actually protects the environment and makes farms more sustainable.
• Today’s farms are complex businesses, but the majority are also still family farms. 97% of the farms in Canada are family owned and operated.
• Organic production is not better for the environment – in fact, it’s worse because it’s less productive and uses more land.
• Activists want you to fear your food. But there is no need for this. Please do not fear your food. Canada has one of the safest food supplies in the world.
• If you have questions about modern agriculture, go to the source – farmers. Check out Ask the Farmers – www.askthefarmers.com
• Farmers are trusted and they need to speak up and share their story. Farmers are proud of what they do.

“I’m proud to be a farmer and contribute to growing safe, quality, healthy products.”

Terry Youzwa, farmer

As I’ve said before, this is not my grandpa’s farm – and that’s a good thing. Today farmers are producing way more with much less to feed a growing world population – and they’re able to do this thanks to modern technology.

Watch the film and let me know what you think.