A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm.
For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: AGRI-FOOD VALUE
Who can apply: Regional groups and organizations involved in supporting agriculture or agri-food business networking or local food development.
What: Agri-food value chain ‘speed dating’ style workshops. Successful applications will receive up to $5,000 to host the event.
Why: The goal is to bring together participants along the value chain in different regions of Ontario to meet, learn and network about their role in the value chain and how to create value-added business opportunities.
When: Proposals are being accepted on a first come, first-served basis. Project activities must be completed and reports must be submitted no later than March 31, 2017.
How: Groups are asked to submit a completed application form via email at their earliest convenience. Visit www.takeanewapproach.ca for an application. For more information, contact Ashley Honsberger at 519-822-6618 or by email at ashley@takeanewapproach.ca
AGRICULTURAL – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Dates: Nov. 2 and 3.
Location: Millcroft Inn and Spa, Alton and Caledon Equestrian Park, Palgrave.
Hosted by: Town of Caledon and OMAFRA.
An opportunity for those involved in municipal and local economic development who have agriculture and food (farming, food processing, agri-tourism, equine/agri-business sector, and agri-entrepreneurship) in their portfolio to network, share successes and experience the “tastes” and sites of Caledon. Learn more about programs targeted to the agricultural sector.
Day 1: Bus Tour: Eat, drink and network with like-minded economic development practitioners on a bus tour. Visit, eat and enjoy a variety of local and fresh foods as part of a progressive lunch at Spirit Tree Cidery and Heatherlea Farm Store.
The day long tour will end with a wine tasting at Adamo Estate Winery. An evening networking reception will be held at the Millcroft Inn and Spa with keynote speaker Dana McCauley, Food Starter, Toronto on “Accelerating food entrepreneurship in yourcommunity.”
Day 2: Forum speakers including Michele Harris, executive director, Headwaters Tourism, will share the journey of identifying the strength of the equine sector to develop and brand Caledon and surrounding area. Tour the Caledon Equestrian Park and learn about the facility.
Space is limited. For more information visit: www.caledon.ca/ecdevforum.
