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: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 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
BILL TO PROMOTE LOCAL FOOD PASSES FINAL VOTE
Ontario is moving forward to help promote the good things that are grown, harvested and processed in Ontario with today’s passage of the Local Food Act, 2013.
The new legislation is part of a strategy to build Ontario’s economy by making more local food available in markets, schools, cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants. This will create jobs and expand the province’s agri-food sector.
The new legislation — the first of its kind in Canada — will increase local food awareness, and boost sales by setting local food goals and targets in consultation with sector partners. The act will also create a non-refundable tax credit of 25 per cent for farmers who donate their surplus harvest to eligible community food programs such as food banks, and proclaim a Local Food Week that will take place annually, beginning the first Monday in June. Building a stronger agri-food industry is part of the government’s economic plan to support a dynamic and innovative business climate, invest in people and invest in infrastructure.
GET YOUR “SOUND ADVICE” RADIO REPORTS – AUDIO CROP UPDATES
Listen to the latest crop production News and information direct from OMAF and MRA crop specialists on “Sound Advice” Radio Reports – Audio Crop Updates. Listen to the report online, sign up for podcasts, or download web-quality files for your mp3 player or high-quality audio files for radio station programming. The reports are also available in text format. To subscribe to the “Sound Advice” Podcast: 1) make sure that you have podcast software; 2) if you do not have podcast software, visit the OMAF and MRA Plugin Information and Downloads Page at http://bit.ly/1eXeJTL, then copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software application: http://bit.ly/1aG2ckU.
When new episodes are posted, you will receive them automatically! For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/1ejGUh1.
REGISTER FOR A PREMISES IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
In the event of an emergency that affects Ontario’s agriculture and food industries, it is critical to be able to identify and contact agri-food business locations and facilities as rapidly as possible. Ontario’s Provincial Premises Registry (PPR) is a premises registry that provides this rapid identification and contact capability. All Ontario agri-food business owners and operators can register their premises, at no cost, and receive a unique Premises Identification Number (Premises ID). You can register online at www.ontarioppr.com or call toll free at 1-855-697-7743 to speak with a representative. PPR is an OMAF and MRA initiative. If you already have a Premises ID, please remember to update your premises information any time there is a change related to your premises (e.g. contact information, activities etc.).
INVESTMENT READY: CERTIFIED SITE PROGRAM
Ontario’s Investment Ready: Certified Site Program is a province-wide investment attraction program that provides financial and marketing support to those who complete a set of requirements and due diligence for an eligible property.
This new program will give investors a greater degree of certainty when they are looking for development opportunities in Ontario municipalities. It will help companies looking to locate or expand their businesses make quick, informed decisions and get projects underway sooner. Designed to appeal to global investors, the program will give municipalities a chance to showcase their communities, attract new investment and help create jobs. This new initiative is part of the government’s strategy to foster a competitive business climate in communities across Ontario.
The program is in the final design stages and is expected to open later in 2013. To learn more about the Investment Ready: Certified Site Program please contact: investmentready@ontario.ca.
ELECTRONIC BULLETINS AND NewsLETTERS
ONVegetables (Vegetable Viewpoint)
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/News/News_vegview.html
Ontario Berry Grower
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/News/News_berrygrower.html
Hort Matters Newsletter
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/News/News_hortmatt.html
On Organic
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/organic/News/News-organic.html
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 27 – Growing Forward 2 Food Safety Workshop for Producers – Pre-Harvest and Post Harvest – 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Call 1-877-424-1300 to register online.
Nov. 28 – Forage Focus 2013, Shakespeare Optimist Hall, 1 Thompson Street, Shakespeare, ON – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Keynote speaker: Dr. Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin-Madison. To register please call: 1-877-892-8663 or 519-986-1484. Registration deadline: November 25.
