Rural PhilosoFer

Matt McIntosh
A journalist and farmer in search of context.

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

You, sir/madam, need more music and WW1 in your life!
How about my long-form chat with @OldGreyHorror about his WW1 concept album "The Tower." 1 hr. of military history & music minutia. Do have a listen!
#GreatWar #metal #History

https://t.co/Kmte2TD9bq

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

My latest (co-authored) contribution to The Narwhal:

Uncertainty for Ontario's source water protection program:

“It seems the ministry doesn’t understand the source protection program, so it doesn’t bother to think about it."

https://t.co/OryEC6NZjF

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Ontario moves ahead with conservation authority amalgamation.
https://t.co/Nj2aRblbe5

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

@kevinki16180099 I've never seen an instance where removing grassroots decision making in favour of more people further away has been a good thing. I want to be hopeful, but I am currently very pessimistic. Ford gov doesn't care about anything except development (as they define it).

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Conservation authorities to be amalgamated:
Conservation sector reps fear job loss, less effective local delivery.
https://t.co/Sea5nDxk8i

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Could a more dangerous world inadvertently drive investments that benefit Canada’s agriculture sector?

Some analysts think so, but what investments will be considered “defence-adjacent” is uncertain.
https://t.co/MQSP0QlOdX

[Country Guide @CntryGuide]

CG contributor @FerRural looks at what Canada's increased NATO spending means for #CdnAg /rural regions in his article 'Will investments in defence benefit Canadian agriculture' in the October "What's Next?" issue of Country Guide ➡️https://t.co/iIYynbdBFQ #westcdnag #agpolicy

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

https://t.co/JXs45zhaC8

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

https://t.co/LXSeh1bitL

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Another Friday-afternoon-before-a-long-weekend policy change for Conservation Authorities from the Ontario government. Please share.
https://t.co/xW5TESnNEQ

[The Telegraph @Telegraph]

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our colleague, David Knowles.

David was a talented journalist and a much-loved friend and a colleague. He will be greatly missed.

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

@fatimabsyed Good explainer. Can't help but be nervous in some ways. Anecdotally, there have already been wind companies asking around this area (we already have windmills everywhere). Ones they want to build now are apparently much bigger. Impact on farming not a black-and-white thing.

[ChrisO_wiki @ChrisO_wiki]

Everything old is new again!

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Thanks also to @balkissoon (one of the best editors around) & the @thenarwhalca team for the opportunity to contribute the winning piece: https://t.co/87yqDmXHje

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

I tend to enjoy Thursdays.

Finding out I won top prize for environmental reporting, & "Journalist of the Year" at @IFAJ 2024 made yesterday a particularly special Thursday.

Thanks @kellydaynard @Consuming_Copy & all my fellow Canucks for being so supportive.

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

@EmmaMci Thanks Emma! Always a pleasure writing for team Narwhal.

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Really enjoyed putting this together.

Elements of the subject can be controversial (e.g. GMOs). The core argument is the need for greater public investment in (and appreciation for) the agricultural sciences generally. Climate & food security solutions combined!

[The Narwhal @thenarwhalca]

Bioengineering can help protect crops from extreme weather and pests — an increasingly critical task in a changing climate. So what does that have to do with the Irish Potato Famine? Farmer Matt McIntosh explains: https://t.co/aSMcDN5hrz

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Chilling.
"The Canadian Army deployed into Europe without dedicated air and missile defence systems, no way to counter drone attacks, with ancient anti-tank weapons and a supply of artillery ammunition that would last only a few days in a real fight."
https://t.co/LNWBA2cq3v

[Erin O'Toole @erinotoole]

Having earned my wings at 17 Wing Winnipeg I was very happy to see these comments from the MB Premier. @WabKinew understands the critical link between trade & security for our neighbour and ally. 🇨🇦🇺🇸

https://t.co/xhJ3Udqo7L

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

The Great Famine Potato: Part 5

A surprise family connection!

More amateur musing on general famine emigration figures from '47/48, conditions for those crossing the Atlantic, and what my 4x great grandparent's (of Co. Cork origin) story might be.

https://t.co/XEM87VGLnr

[Rural PhilosoFer @FerRural]

Interesting piece. Getting serious about nature conservation is something I've been on for a while now. Just isn't any real support for landowners.

(Also, a suggestion - the less Greenpeace is involved/referenced, the more widespread support there will be).

[The Narwhal @thenarwhalca]

The new Nature Accountability Act is meant to hold Canada to its biodiversity targets — a promising step, but now it needs powers of enforcement, write @GreenpeaceCA and @HazellStep22024 https://t.co/WeHRNC5Bw6