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.
JUNIOR FARMERS INFORMATION NIGHT – DEC. 30 submitted by Barclay Nap
Two events are being held to introduce individuals on what Junior Farmers is all about and with the hopes of forming a club in the central part of Wellington County.
WHAT IS JUNIOR FARMERS?
• Junior Farmers is an organization for youth ages 15-29 as of Jan. 1.
• We are primarily active in southern Ontario.
• You don’t have to be from a farm or live near a farm to join.
WHAT DO WE DO?
Focusing on developing the next generation of rural leaders and volunteers, clubs can:
• Run their own meetings and organize their own events.
• Hold a program or event that benefits your community.
AS A MEMBER, YOU CAN:
• Meet other youth from all over the province.
• Compete in events from curling to square dancing to judging cattle to baking to basketball to photography.
• Travel on an exchange to another province or country or host a youth visiting Ontario.
WHY SHOULD I COME OUT?
• To see what we are all about.
• To hear to opportunities you can be a part of.
WHEN CAN I LEARN ALL ABOUT JUNIOR FARMERS?
• Monday, Dec. 30 – 8pm at the OMAF and MRA, Elora.
Past Junior Farmer members, parents and youth outside of Wellington are welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact Barclay Nap at: bnap@jfao.on.ca or call: 519-223-1287 or view the Perth Junior Farmers Facebook group or visit the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario website at: www.jfao.on.ca.
INTERESTING FACTS: POTATOES
by Toby Davine
Humans have a special love affair with the potato. Potatoes provide sustenance for people around the world, from the Andes to India. Although they might be associated with fried, unhealthy snacks, potatoes are one of the healthiest vegetables one can eat (save the excessive oil) and they have been sustaining human populations for centuries. The potato is so tied to human civilization, in fact, that it has influenced wars, migration, and massive human population growth.
Did You Know?
• Potatoes are Ontario’s largest fresh vegetable crop.
• In 1995, potato plants were taken into space with the space shuttle Columbia. This marked the first time any food was ever grown in space.
• The potato is the most important non-cereal crop in the world, and fourth most important crop overall (behind corn, wheat, and rice).
• The potato was first domesticated in the region of modern-day southern Peru and extreme northwestern Bolivia between 8000 and 5000 BCE.
• Potatoes are good sources of Vitamin C, B6 and Potassium.
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 7 – 8 – 21st Annual Southwest Agricultural Conference, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
For more information, please visit: http://www.southwestagconference.ca.
Jan. 8 – 14 – 48th Annual Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week, Elmwood Community Centre, 38 Queens Street West, Elmwood, Ontario. Refer to www.greyagservices.ca or call (519) 986-3756.
