|
Previous
The (CEF) Central Experimental Farm was established in 1886. The farm covers about 500 hectares (1250 acres) and is located in the middle of an urban area with a population of 1.2 million. Ottawa is the only world Capital with a working farm within its boundaries. The head offices for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are located on the farm as are many research facilities. The CEF is one of 18 agricultural research stations monitoring the different climates, topography, length of growing seasons, soil types and different crops that can grow in Canada. Most of the land is used for experimental field plots, where corn, soybeans, oats and other crops are grown. A large variety of domestic animals are also located on the farm. Beef and dairy cows, horses, sheep, chickens and other domestic animals found on Canadian farms are here and available for public viewing. The Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens are favourite spots for tourists and locals. Canada's unique agricultural heritage is featured at the Agriculture Museum where you can explore the sights and sounds of Canadian farm life. The Museum features a working dairy barn with a mixed breed herd of 45 - 50 cows (an average sized herd for Ontario). The cows are milked twice a day and the milk is sold to the Dairy Farmers of Ontario which in turn sells it to local dairies. At the dairy, the milk is processed, packaged and distributed to grocery stores. More than 98% of all farms in Canada are family owned and operated. The Central Experimental farm plays an important role in providing sustenance to Canadians and people around the world, with inexpensive healthy foods. Canada's food prices are among the lowest in the world. Every day, Canadians consume or use something produced on farms. There are approximately 280,000 farms in Canada with 3% of Canadians living on farms. In 1930, Canada became more urban than rural (i.e. more than 50% of the population lived in cities). In 1900 one farmer could produce enough food to feed 7 - 10 people. Today a Canadian farmer can feed 90 people or more due to more efficient production methods. Exports are very important to Canada, we export 40% to 50% of our gross agricultural production. Major exports are grains, red meats and oilseeds with major markets in the United States of America, China, Japan, eastern Europe and Russia. The farm not only provides sustenance to humans. The Atlantic flyway runs down the Ottawa River. Every autumn millions of birds heading south for the winter stop to enjoy soya beans, corn and other crops left on the ground after harvesting.
http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/worldwidepanorama/wwp606/html/AlexMakienko.html http://geoimages.berkeley.edu/worldwidepanorama/wwp305/html/RobertAgnel.html http://www.ottawapanoramas.com 
Shortcut to this page: http://worldwidepanorama.org/wwp_rss/go/n3736
|
