Ontario Grain Farmer April/May 2021

Good in Every Grain 30 www.GoodinEveryGrain.ca COVER CROPS FOR EARTH DAY Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Sustainability is at the forefront of consumer’s minds when it comes to food production and we are helping to show consumers that Ontario’s grain farmers care about the environment just as much as they do. One sustainable practice that we have been sharing is the use of cover crops to prevent soil erosion, maintain and improve nutrient levels in the soil, and protect local waterways. This helps consumers understand that Ontario grain farmers are protectors of the environment and the hard work on Ontario’s grain farms are done with care, concern, and environmental stewardship in mind. To show consumers how cover crops work, we have created a cover crop display. This display shows how cover crops minimize water and nutrient run-off from fields compared to fields left bare from tillage, or those with organic matter and plant debris sitting on the soil. By building this display, consumerscan understand firsthand the benefits of cover crops to Ontario’s fields and local waterways. NEW EDUCATION RESOURCES WITH DRAW WITH ROB! Good in Every Grain and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, part of Ingenium — Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation have partnered to bring agriculture to the classroom through draw-along art lessons. Best-selling and award-winning children’s author/illustrator Rob Biddulph offers an interactive video series teaching children (and their families) how to draw. We are sponsoring a series of new agriculture videos and lessons focusing on central topics such as soil health, the diversity of grains, and modern technology and innovations used to grow our food. We will offer free downloadable educator resources to help educators extend and support the learning in the areas of art, agriculture, and science, while reinforcing a growth mindset. Our goal is to collect student artwork through social media — Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Please help us spread the word and share this initiative with the educators and families in your life. Videos will launch on March 30, April 19, and May 11, 2021. Check out the DrawWith Rob videos, lesson plans, draw-along worksheets, and other resources at www.goodineverygrain.ca/ draw-with-rob. l