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
NEW GROWING FORWARD 2 PROGRAMMING KICKS OFF IN ONTARIO
Canada and Ontario Supporting Innovation and Success in Ontario’s Agri-Food Sector. The governments of Canada and Ontario are working to help Ontario’s agri-food industry grow profits, expand markets and manage risk with the launch of Growing Forward 2 programming.
Interested producers, processors, organizations and collaborations can now apply for funding to support activities that will help them prepare their Growing Forward 2 project applications.
Implementation funding for projects is currently available to organizations and collaborations and will be accessible to producers and processors beginning in the fall.
Providing the right climate to attract investment, create jobs and build a strong economy is a key priority for the governments of Canada and Ontario.
Quick Facts
• The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing a combined $417 million in Ontario’s strategic initiatives under Growing Forward 2, aimed at leadership skills, adapting to climate change, developing markets and investing in research and innovation.
• Funding for a complete and effective suite of business risk management programs will continue under Growing Forward 2 to ensure farmers withstand severe market volatility and disasters.
• The federal government’s programs under Growing Forward 2 are AgriInnovation, AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness.
• Ontario’s agri-food industry contributes more than $34 billion to the province’s Gross Domestic Product and provides more than 710,000 jobs.
SCHOLORSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR ECOLOGICAL FARMING “GO EAST” BUS TOUR
Ecological Farmers of Ontario
Fifty farmers, 10 farms, four scholarships, one bus, and lots of fun! That pretty much sums up the 2013 “Go East” Bus Tour organized by the Ecological Farmers of Ontario (EFAO). This tour will explore some of the most interesting and innovative ecological farms in eastern Ontario and Quebec. Participants will tour the on-farm dairy processing facility at Pinehedge Farms where yogurt and kefir is made, and learn about the amazing seed saving initiative and co-operative farming structure at Tourne-Sol Co-operative Farm in Quebec. A BBQ and evening social has also been arranged following a tour at Ashton Glen Farm, owned and operated by EFAO president Dave Smith.
Other stops will highlight University of Guelph organic dairy research, organic field crop trials, pasture management systems, diversified livestock operations and CSA market gardening. With so much to see there will be truly something for everyone.
EFAO staff and tour organizers are excited to announce four scholarships available for the tour for farmer’s eager to network with their peers and explore practical farming education. Scholarship applicants are asked to submit a 500 word letter with a brief introduction about themselves, their farming interests, and why coming on the tour will benefit their future farm plans. Applications should be submitted to Karen Maitland at info@efao.ca by JULY 15th, 2013.
Space is limited on the bus. Contact the office now to book your spot For more information about the bus tour, or the scholarship application visit: www.efao.ca or contact their office at 519-822-8606 or info@efao.ca. The bus will depart from Guelph the morning of August 22 and return the evening of the 24.
COMING EVENTS
July 18 – 21: Listowel Fair. For information call: 519-291-2776.
Aug. 6: Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAF and MRA Elora at 7:30 p.m. For information, contact Lisa Hern at: 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
Aug. 9 – 11: Drayton Fall Fair. For information call: 519-638-2950.
Aug. 17 Calf Show – Grand River Raceway, Elora. For information call: 519-846-8879.
Aug. 19 & 20 Central Ontario Junior Holstein Show – Grand River Raceway, Elora.
Aug. 21 North American Manure Expo – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., University of Guelph, Arkell Research Station – Arkell, Ontario. (Tour August 20th, 2013 – North Wellington area). Contact: Christine Brown at: christine.brown1@ontario.ca or www.manureexpo2013.com.
Aug. 23 – 25 Palmerston Fall Fair. For information contact: 519-343-3427.
Aug. 24 Tractor Pull – Grand River Raceway, Elora.
Sept. 10 – 12 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show: www.outdoorfarmshow.com. Cornwall, Ontario. For more information, visit: www.ontariomaple.com/pages/summer_tour.
