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 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS by John C. Benham
On Thursday, November 3rd, the next GYFP Workshop will be held in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and to be completed on Thursday, November 10th. Lunch and refreshment provided at no cost. This is an opportunity for you to learn about available cost share funding for improved farm business management on your farm as well as help and financial assistance to complete your succession planning. For more information and to sign up, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
SPECIES AT RISK by John C. Benham
The Species At Risk Incentive Program has been renewed for 2011. The three Practice Codes: 1004 – Native rangeland or habitat restoration or establishment in riparian or upland areas; 1008 – Wetland restoration; 1009 – Species at Risk, Plant species establishment – have been increased to 100% funding. As well, financial support for Best Management Practices (BMP) including:
• Upland and Riparian Area Habitat Management
• Erosion Control Structures in Riparian Areas
• Shelterbelt and Native Vegetation Establishment
• Wetland Restoration
These all have generous support. The program is separate from the EFP Cost Share but a completed Third Edition EFP workbook is a requirement.
Projects apply to cropland, grassland, riparian areas, wetlands and woodlands. If you have capped out in any of these Practice Codes in EFP, here is an opportunity to do more work and be well supported financially. For more information or a request for the brochure, contact John at 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
DON’T LET YOUR WORK SURFACES BE A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION by Jan Schooley, OMAFRA
If you use sanitizer from a bucket, keep these points in mind. When applying a sanitizer to equipment and food contact surfaces in your packing and sorting area, remember to follow these steps:
1. loosen and remove heavy soil with a brush,
2. rinse and inspect,
3. apply cleaner or detergent with a brush,
4. rinse and inspect,
5. apply sanitizer and allow to air dry
Use potable water for all steps. Always monitor your sanitizer concentrations over time. And use a brush – not a cloth. Your brushes should be purchased from your sanitizer chemical supplier so they will not damage work surfaces and will not lose bristles.
KEEP HANDS AND SURFACES CLEAN by Wayne Du, OMAFRA
It is harvest season. To ensure food safety workers must follow good hygiene practices when they handle foods. Biological hazards (bugs), which can cause foodborne diseases, often spread via contaminated stool through surfaces such as toilets, door handles, harvest tools and others that are often touched by hands. The best way to prevent the spread of bugs is proper hand washing. So, wash your hands before touching foods. Other preventative measures include cleaning and sanitizing surfaces of the toilet, hand washing facilities, counters, door handles and harvest tools such as knives and used containers in addition to wearing proper clean working clothes and footwear.
COMING EVENTS:
Sept. 16*-18 – Fergus Agricultural Fair, Fergus Community Centre. For information: 519-856-9621 (*part day).
Sept. 16-18 – Harriston-Minto Agricultural Fair, Harriston. For more information, call 519-338-3903.
Sept. 24 – Fall Rural Romp – self guided tour of farms and markets throughout Wellington County. Visit www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
Sept. 20-24 – 2011 International Plowing Match, Prescott-Russell County. Details at: http://www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2011/index.php.
Sept. 24 – Colwyn Championship Showcase – A Fancy Rare Breed Poultry Show held at Colwyn Stables on 6104 County Road #29 just south-east of Fergus. For information, call 519-843-3459 or check the website: www.colwynshowcase.com.
Sept. 27 – Wellington County Farm Safety regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
Oct. 4 – Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Wellington Rd. #7, Elora. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
Oct. 6 – Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting will be held at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. For information contact Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790 or email rcresman@sentex.net.
Oct. 7*-10 – Erin Fall Fair, Erin. For more information, call 519-833-2808 (*part day).
Oct. 14 – Wellington County Plowmen’s Banquet and Awards Night, Alma Hall at 7:00 p.m. Advance ticket sales, tickets available from any Director or call 519-846-0137.
Oct. 18-19 – Leading Edge Summit – How to Make Change Happen in Your Community, Innovative tools and techniques that work; Hockley Valley Resort, Orangeville. More info: www.stepstoleadership.ca.
Oct. 25 – Wellington County Farm Safety regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
