Uncovering the roots of farming sustainability By: Elisa Fitzpatrick, OHEA Student Member Did you know that less than one in five Canadians lives in rural communities?
The connection between us and where our food comes from is stretching further and further apart. With more people as city dwellers than rural land owners, a vast majority of people are no longer connected with our agricultural practices and the importance of sustainability in the agriculture sector. Environmental sustainability of the food chain is frequently examined, but often, agricultural sustainability is left out of the discussion. What most consumers do not consider, are the tasks that farmers undertake to ensure that their practices remain sustainable. Today my hope is that I can educate you on some ways that farmers establish sustainable practices, minimize their environmental impact, and continue to ensure that their farm land and resources will be bountiful for the future.
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By: Lela Hopper, OHEA Student Member Individuals need the best of both worlds when purchasing local foods, here's why. During a previous summer, my family signed up for a community supported agriculture (CSA) box. The summer consisted of picking up a small box of food once a week at a local meeting spot. The contents of the box came from a 100 km radius from our house.
We didn’t know what we were getting each week, and it was interesting to talk to the farmer and learn how to cook and store these new foods. The box contained seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs that we could plant, and a variety of canned products like pickles and beets. By: Laura Thibodeau, OHEA Student member
There are countless benefits to seeking out mentoring relationships while studying. Not only does entering into a mentoring relationship allow opportunity for networking, finding mentors allows you to explore different areas of your field. Connecting to dietitians in different geographic regions could allow you to get a new perspective from a community that differs from yours, or learn how professionals in a similar situation address shared obstacles. Seeking out mentoring relationships is also an exercise in professional communication and can allow you to apply theoretical knowledge and concepts from school in real life situations. By: Bryn Brouwers, OHEA Student Member Critical conversations are needed around agriculture and food systems By: OHEA Student Member Shelby Weaver
On March 23, 2019 I had the pleasure of attending my first Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) conference at Brescia University College. I was excited to have the opportunity to meet current and future Professional Home Economists (P.H.Ec.) and explore the possibilities of this field.
The theme for this year’s conference was “40 Years of OHEA: Past, Present & Future”. The theme was well represented as many speakers talked about how OHEA has evolved over time. I was motivated to see how I can help OHEA develop over the next 40 years. By: Cathy Enright, P.H.Ec. Happy 40ieth Anniversary Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA)
Passing the torch onto new and future Home Economists defines who I am as a Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.). It has been a privilege to live up to the ring pledge. The most important life changing skill I mastered at my first job when working for a large food company, was how to relate to our customers through relationship building and complaint handling. First, as a Home Economist and then Director of Consumer Services, I also developed technical skills in recipes, food styling, publishing and media relations. Want to meet some of the amazing Professional Home Economists featured in the Through the Years Series?
Make sure to register for OHEA annual conference. This year the conference is being held at Brescia University College on March 23, 2019. For more information, visit the OHEA Conference website. About Lucy Mahood, P.H.Ec. I am a graduate from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Applied Science with an applied human nutrition major. I became a Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.) after completing the Professional Perspectives course at Brescia University College with Dr. E. Bright-See in 1996. I was fortunate to have had an amazing almost 25-year career as a Professional Home Economist. Cindy Hartman, P.H.Ec., continually gives back to students and her alma mater through mentoring. She has mentored multiple students over the years and was recognized by Brescia University College in their Brescia BOLD Winter 2019 magazine.
A graduate of Brescia's Class of 1996, Cindy Hartman is profiled in the latest issue of Brescia BOLD on page 11. Congratulations Cindy! In 1989, the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) was granted registration status by the Ontario Legislature. The Act granted voting members of the Association the right to use the designation “Professional Home Economist” or P.H.Ec. for short.
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The Ontario Home Economics Association, a self-regulating body of professional Home Economists, promotes high professional standards among its members so that they may assist families and individuals to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life. Categories
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