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 and MRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
THE 2013 ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL FAIRS AND EXHIBITIONS BOOKS/BROCHURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Pick up your copy at your local OMAF and MRA office. For more information, visit: www.ontariofairs.com or www.ontarioagsocieties.com.
GROWING FORWARD 2 – CLIENT INFORMATION SESSIONS
Processors, farm business, organizations and collaborations are invited to attend these sessions. To register go to: http://registration.wildapricot.org/ or call Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association at 1-800-265-9751.
For more Growing Forward 2 Information: www.ontario.ca/growingforward2
June 4 – Guelph 1:30 to 3:30pm.
Guelph Holiday Inn, Guelph, Oakwood Ballroom B, 601 Scottsdale Drive, Guelph, Ontario N1G 3E7
June 4 – Guelph (WebEx) 1:30 to 3:30pm.
WebEx – Join online via WebEx and Teleconference
June 4 – Guelph 7 to 9pm.
Guelph Holiday Inn Guelph, Oakwood Ballroom B,
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Harvest Tools and Containers – Sandra Jones
Have you ever had your harvest knives go “walking” from their designated areas and possibly used for unintended tasks? Colour coding is a quick and efficient way of determining the proper place and use for designated items. Knives, tools, containers, cleaning equipment and even clothing/aprons can be colour coded to help reduce the risk of cross contamination to ensure they are only used for the intended task. Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable.
For information, visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Food website at: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/index.htm or call 1-877-424-1300.
NEW FERTILIZER CONTAINER RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR FARMERS LAUNCHED
Etobicoke – A popular recycling program for farmers is being expanded to include new products.
In addition to accepting empty, clean pesticide containers, CleanFARMS will now also accept plastic fertilizer jugs and pails (under 23 litres) as part of its annual recycling program.
The empty pesticide container collection program was first developed almost a quarter century ago by Canada’s plant science industry to take responsibility for the full life-cycle of its products. CleanFARMS, which is now responsible for the programs, is committed to helping farmers properly manage and dispose of agricultural waste. Every year, approximately 4.5 million empty, triple-rinsed plastic pesticide containers are safely recycled into items that can be used back on the farm, such as farm drainage tile.
CleanFARMS encourages farmers to follow three easy steps in order to ensure the containers they’re returning, including fertilizer containers, can be properly recycled. Farmers are asked to triple or pressure rinse containers to remove the entire product, remove the cap and label, and return the containers to the nearest collection sites. A full list of collection sites can be found at: www.cleanfarms.ca. For more information visit: www.cleanfarms.ca.
COMING EVENTS:
May 25 Spring Wellington Rural Romp – a self-guided tour to farms, nurseries and local food businesses. 11am to 4pm. Approximately fourteen farms, markets, gardens, restaurants and a B&B in Mapleton, Minto and Wellington North will open their doors to the public. Take part in a day in the countryside, meet local farmers and enjoy real local tastes. For more information, check the website: http://guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca/spring-rural-romp.
May 25 -26 Food Farms Fish and Finance – A strategic forum exploring the delicious, diverse and delicate potential for social finance and impact investing in our food system – Centre for Social Innovation – Annex, Toronto; Website: www.sustainontario.ca/foodfinance or Email: foodfinance@sustainontario.ca.
June 4 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Elora at 7:30pm. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
June19-20 Ontario Pork Congress, Rotary Complex, Stratford at: 10am to 5pm. Check the website: www.porkcongress.on.ca.
July 9 Ontario Canola Growers Association Canola Crop Tour; 10am at Holmes Agro, Orangeville; Contact: Carrie James, 519-986-3519
July 10 Forage Expo; 10am to 3:30pm. Admission is free. Place: Dave Kuntz, Ikendale Farm, 1062 Concession 14, Carrick, RR4 Walkerton. For more information visit www.ontarioforagecouncil.com/programs/ontario-forage-expo.html.
July 11 FarmSmart Expo – All day event at the University of Guelph Elora Research Station, 6182 2nd Line, Ariss (south of Elora, one block west of County Road 7).
July 12 FarmSmart Expo Youth Day – 1pm – University of Guelph Elora Research Station, 6182 2nd Line, Ariss (south of Elora, one block west of County Road 7).
