It is often said there is no such thing as a typical farmer – that Ontario’s farm community is comprised of tens of thousands of outstanding farmers.
Every one of the thousands of them could be considered unique for the way they grow their crops, raise their livestock or manage their environmental practices.
Farm & Food Care Ontario is celebrating the heart and entrepreneurial spirit of Ontario’s farmers by launching a new contest to feature a farmer or farm family that is proud and passionate about farming. The winning farmer or farm family will be featured on a page in the 2013 Faces of Farming calendar.
The calendar, now entering its eighth year, has featured the faces and stories of almost 160 farmers and farm families since it was expanded to include all types of farmers in 2005.
The goal of the project is to break stereotypes about Ontario’s farmers and get some important messages about modern farming to the public. The calendar is successful every year as it features compelling and creative photographs to capture the interest of anyone who opens the cover by introducing real farmers and telling their stories.
Each year the calendar is distributed to thousands of Ontario media, chefs, grocery stores and politicians and is sold through the Farm & Food Care website, office and local outlets.
Project manager Kelly Daynard said she continues to hear new and unique stories from the participants each year – stories that are captured in the captions that appear below each photo.
“We’re hoping that this contest will identify even more of those stories that should be told – stories that clearly identify the passion farmers have for their careers, their way of life and some of the struggles they have often had to overcome to get to where they are today.”
Farmers and farm families are encouraged to enter the contest by submitting a photo and an essay of 400 words or fewer describing their farm and their pride in farming by answering the following questions:
– names and ages of all entrants as seen in the photo;
– address, including county or region, and phone number;
– a short description of the farming operation, including types of crops grown, livestock raised, products sold;
– history of the farm and number of generations farming, etc.;
– any other details that make the story unique, including community involvement, environmental initiatives, unusual hobbies or backgrounds, etc.; and
– what makes them the perfect candidate for this project – describe why one farmer or the entire family is proud and passionate about farming.
All entries must be received at the Farm & Food Care office no later than June 15, when they will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The winning family will participate in a professional and memorable photo shoot in July, will receive complimentary copies of the calendar and two tickets and accommodation for the 2012 Ontario Harvest Gala and calendar launch on Nov. 1, in Guelph.
Entries can be emailed to info@farmfoodcare.org or mailed to 100 Stone Road West, Suite 106, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 5L3.
