A drought and its impact on Rainy River

In this episode of the Packsack Project, we’re speaking with Kim Jo Bliss and Timo Brielmann, both farmers from the Rainy River area of Northwestern Ontario. Kim Jo is a beef farmer who also works as a Research Technician at the Emo Agricultural Research Station and Timo, owner of Brielmann Agriculture, farms 8300 acres in the Rainy River region. Last season a combination of late frost, drought, and insect pest problems took a toll on the farmers of Rainy River. Our guests discuss how these conditions impacted them and their operations while outlining some of the ways their community had to adapt to such difficult circumstances. Farmers are expecting to feel the impacts of the drought for years to come and tell us about the ways they’ve already started planning to make their farms more resilient in the face of these challenges. 

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.