Twenty-three students from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Pharmacy and Nutrition took time out of their schedule to visit how modern farms produce food in Saskatchewan. On September 21, the tour included showing future dietitians how cattle are fed in a large-scale feedlot, as well as the technology on a mid-sized grain and egg farm.
The travel time from the Saskatoon campus to Lanigan, SK was filled with interactions between hosts and students. Teaming up with Clinton Monchuk on the tour bus was Jenna Sarich from the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Jenna touched on the efficiency of cattle that graze on land and material not suitable for human consumption and then turn it into a protein food source. To complement Jenna’s discussion was Pound-Maker CEO and president, Brad Welter who explained how cattle are fed and what steps are taken at feedlots to ensure the health and welfare of animals are a top priority. After lunch, the group had several hands-on opportunities to search the soil for freshly germinated fall rye seeds, taste brown mustard seeds harvested in September and see fresh eggs direct from the cooler.
As with all farm tours organized with Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan, the response from the participants was positive. Of the students who attended, about 22% had never been on a farm in their lifetime and double that amount had only been on a farm one to three times. Across the board, the students felt that the tour was valuable and increased their knowledge. Their perception of what they knew about farming went from just 26% well or very well informed about farming practices, to 85% after the tour was completed. As well, their perception of farming and food production shifted, with 95% indicating their view of farming was somewhat or very positive.
This tour highlights the impact we can have with current and future influencers in food by engaging with them. We look forward to speaking with these students again during the next couple years of their education!