Four workshops will be held across the province during the first week of November to offer a platform for young beef producers to network and express their concerns and challenges with the Ontario beef industry.
The Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and The Centre for Rural Leadership will host the sessions that are targeted towards beef producers and other young people involved in the industry under the age of 40.
“These workshops are an ideal venue for the young beef producers of Ontario to network with other producers in their area, discuss similar issues, and offer input for solutions,” said Jen Snively, OCA policy advisor. “We hope that these workshops are the starting point for a new round of management clubs or other local initiatives that can help increase the profitability of beef producers.”
Each workshop will include dinner or lunch, a presentation from Betty Green, owner of a 1,000 cow herd family farm in Manitoba, and a facilitated discussion about the opportunities and challenges young beef producers face.
The workshops will be held in the following locations:
– Sudbury, Nov. 1; 12-4pm;
– Smith Falls, Nov. 2; 4to 8pm;
– Elmwood, Nov. 4 6 to 10pm; and
– Alvinston, Nov. 5, 6 to 10pm.
A pilot workshop was conducted in February 2008 in Port Perry. Over 65 beef producers under the age of 40 attended that event. The pilot indicated the need to get input from other regions in the province and offer the same networking opportunities for others across the province.
