A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, 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 OMAF website: www.ontario.ca/omaf and/or the MRA website: www.ontario.ca/mra
GROWING FORWARD 2
A federal-provincial-territorial initiative
FOOD SAFETY WORKSHOPS FOR PRODUCERS
Looking to keep up to date on the latest food safety practices and find out how Growing Forward 2 funding assistance can help you reach your goals? Join us for any or all of the workshops listed below, covering a variety of important food safety topics. All workshops are online, taken from the comfort of your home or business – all you need is an internet and phone connection. CALL 1-877-424-1300 to register to attend in person or online.
Pest Control, Building, Nov. 13, 12:30 to 1:30pm; Recall, Dec. 11, 12:30 to 1:30pm; Soil Amendments, Dec. 4, 12:30 to 1:30pm; Pre-Harvest Water, Nov. 27, 12:30 to 1:30pm; and Post-Harvest Water, Nov. 27, 12:30 to 1:30pm.
FOOD SAFETY WORKSHOPS FOR PROCESSORS
Looking to keep up to date on the latest food safety practices and find out how Growing Forward 2 funding assistance can help you reach your goals? Join us for any or all of the workshops listed below, covering a variety of important food safety topics. CALL 1-877-424-1300 to register to attend in person or online.
Sanitation and Water, Nov. 5, Mississauga, 9am to 4pm; Developing a HACCP Plan, Dec. 6, Guelph, 9am to 4pm; and Preventative Maintenance and Calibration, Pest Control and Environment Nov. 22, London, 9am to 4pm.
ONTARIO YOUNG FARMER’S FORUM – FINDING COMMON GROUND – OMAF and MRA Connects
Every year, the Ontario Young Farmers’ Forum (OYFF) brings the province’s brightest young farmers together for two days of networking and discussion on today’s most pressing agricultural issues. OYFF 2013 is organized by the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum. This forum is held in conjunction with the OFA’s annual convention in Toronto, November 24 to 25, 2013. The theme for 2013 is “Finding Common Ground” and will feature speakers and panelists discussing topics such as: management, succession planning, grain marketing and financing. Young farmers (aged 18 to 40) are encouraged to register early as space is limited. For more information and to download a registration form, visit: www.oyff.ca.
CREATING A BLUEPRINT FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN ONTARIO’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR – OMAF and MRA Connects
If you are involved in, or care about Ontario’s agriculture industry, the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) wants your input. ROI is asking you to complete a 16-question survey. This is an opportunity to influence how the next generation of agriculture and agri-food leaders will be developed. Funded by the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC), this project aims to enhance the quality of leadership programming across Ontario over the next 20 years. When completed, the final strategy will be made available on the Rural Ontario Institute website at www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca. To participate in the survey, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ROI_Ag_Sector_Leadership_Development.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN WORKSHOPS
Two Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workshops have been planned. The first two-day workshop will be held in the Nicolas Keith Room, Wellington Place, Fergus at 10 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 to be completed on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The second two-day workshop will be in the Boardroom of Farmers Plus on Church Street, Elmira at 10 am on Tuesday, January 21 and completed Tuesday, January 28, 2014. To sign up, please go to the website: http://registration.wildapricot.org/workshops. Please call 519-638-3268 for more information or assistance in signing up for this workshop.
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 12 – Sheep Seminar – Ewe got a Plan B – Elma Memorial Community Centre, Atwood from 8:45am to 4pm. For more information call 1-877-424-1300 or email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Nov. 28 – Forage Focus 2013, Shakespeare Optimist Hall, 1 Thompson Street, Shakespeare – 10am to 3pm. Keynote speaker: Dr. Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin-Madison. To register call 1-877-892-8663 or 519-986-1484. Registration deadline: Nov. 25.
