Why did we pick invasive as our number one item of high current interest? Invasive species have had impacts in most if not all endeavours related to managing crops, livestock, forests and fisheries.
Invasive species destroy biodiversity and native species. They are a natural resource hog, of nutrients, sunlight and water, in fields, forests and watersheds. Invasive species also lessen resilience to battle against other issues.
Although invasive species is somewhat unexpected, expected hot sheet items like climate change, also top our 2024 Small Farm Canada watch list. One Health is another hot issue we will be watching closely as 75 per cent of new or emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning it can pass between humans and animals.
Others hot sheet issues we are watching this year include ethics related to livestock production and seed access as well as local processing.
If you have a “hot sheet” item you think should be included on the 2024 Small Farm Canada Hot Sheet, contact editor@SmallFarmCanada.ca
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