A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
FINDING GOVERNMENT SERVICES ON THE GO
It is now easier for families to find government services such as driver’s licence and health card renewals – on the go. Ontarians can now use their mobile devices to access the Service Location Finder to:
1) Locate the closest service location;
2) Find the latest information about the services the centre offers and hours of operation;
3) Get on-the-spot directions to local offices or kiosks;
4) Learn about the various ways to access government services, including online, service counter and kiosks.
With nearly 300 integrated ServiceOntario locations across the province, 95 per cent of Ontarians are now within 10 kilometres of an integrated ServiceOntario location and can access driver, vehicle and health card services under one roof. These, and other services, are also available online. This is part of the McGuinty government’s Open Ontario plan to make it easier for families and businesses to access government services.
• Almost 300,000 customers each month use the Service Location Finder from their computers.
• Top uses for mobile phones after calling include text messaging (67 per cent), taking photos (51 per cent) and mobile web use (35 per cent). For mobile web use, 81 per cent of users access maps and directions and 73 per cent access local information.
• ServiceOntario delivers close to 46 million customer interactions annually.
• Birth, death and marriage certificates ordered online through ServiceOntario are guaranteed to be delivered within as little as five days.
• The online Newborn Registration Service lets parents apply online at one time to register their newborn, and apply for a birth certificate, a Social Insurance Number Card and Canada Child Benefits, including the Ontario Child Benefit.
• Learn about other services ServiceOntario offers at www.serviceontario.ca.
• Find the ServiceOntario location closest to you.
FACTSHEETS and PUBLICATIONS
The following FREE Publications are now available from OMAFRA:
• Chronic Wasting Disease, Agdex 400/663, Order #11-025 [replaces factsheet #07-025]
• Farm Layout for Farmed Deer and Elk, Agdex 400/20. This is a web only resource. For access, click on
• http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/alternat/deerelk.htm replaces 99-017.
• Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm, Order #0837E; this 52-page, full-colour, publication examines major causes of farm building fires & how to reduce associated risks; No charge.
• Nutrient Management Act 2002, Managing Outdoor Confinement Areas and Livestock Yards, Agdex 720/400, Order #11-007 [replaces factsheet #04-093]
• Direct Farm Marketing in Ontario – a Primer, Agdex 846, Order #11-011.
• Paying Wages to Farm Family Members, Agdex 823, Order #11-015 [replaces factsheet #07-003]
• Nutrient Management Act, 2002, Temporary Field Storage of Non-Agricultural Source Material, Agdex 743/540, Order #11-009.
• Farm Partnerships, Agdex 812, Order #11-019 [replaces factsheet #02-047]
• Guide to Custom Farmwork and Short-Term Equipment Rental, Order No. 10-049, now available online, (PDF). The update includes the results of the Survey of Ontario Custom Farmwork Rates Charged in 2009.
The following PRICED Publications are now available from OMAFRA:
• Field Crop Protection Guide 2011-2012 (Publication 812); $15.00.
• Starting a Farm in Ontario (Publication 61); replaces the 2000 version; $15.00.
To order OMAFRA publications and factsheets:
• Visit any OMAFRA Resource Centre or Service Ontario location
• Visit the Service Ontario website at: www.serviceontario.ca/publications or call 1-800-668-9938
• Visit the OMAFRA website at: http://www.ontario.ca/omafra or contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre by calling: 1-877-424-1300
COMING EVENTS:
June 25 Waterloo Children’s Farm Safety Day – hosted in Wellesley Township at the farm of Sue and Terry Lebold, 5801 Deborah Glaister Line. Children ages 4 to 13 that live on or visit a farm are asked to register at 9am. and dismissed at 1:30pm. Learn about hazards on the farm through interactive, informative safety stations taught by experienced community members. The cost per child is $5.00, pre-registration is mandatory and parent volunteers are welcome to stay for the event. For information or to register
June 26 Guelph Wellington Local Food Fest – celebration of local food with workshops, guided farm tours, children’s activities and more. Visit www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
June 26 Raising Chicks Workshop; Raising poultry from day-old chicks requires special care. This workshop will explain all the needs of chicks, including brooder set up (bedding, temperature, nutrition, and ventilation), what to expect when the chicks arrive, and how to transition them to an outdoor coop. You’ll also observe and interact firsthand with our new arrivals as you discover what is needed to raise healthy and happy birds. Time: 1pm. to 4pm. Location: Everdale Farm, 5812 6th Line, Hillsburgh. Cost: $45, tax included. Visit the website: http://workshops.everdale.org/at-the-farm/backyard-chickens/raising-chicks/ to register.
July 6 and 7 SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Days – University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
July 12 Canola Crop Tour: Variety, Nitrogen/Sulphur and Fungicide Trials, Stone Crushing Demo / Guest Speaker: Victor Aideyan, at Mike Schill’s Farm / 3km. north of Arthur on Highway 6, Fire # 8719; 10am. to 4pm Details at: www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca.
July 13 Ontario Forage Expo, Elora Research Station. Watch for details at http://www.ontarioforagecouncil.com/.
July 14 Farm$mart Expo, Elora Research Station. Details will be available at http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
July 15 FarmSmart Expo 4H/Youth Day at the Elora Research Station. Check website for details http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
Aug. 24 Herb Demonstration Day – OMAFRA Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe.
