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.
GROWING FORWARD 2 INFORMATION SESSIONS
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will be hosting 24 information sessions across the province for Growing Forward 2 between Aug. 28 and Sept.13.
Targeted at producers and food and agri-product processors, these sessions will provide information on the “Implementation Funding Assistance” component of GF2. An overview of GF2 programming, including areas of focus, funding assistance, eligibility and selection criteria, will be discussed.
For information on dates and locations, visit the ministry’s calendar of events (Dateline) at: http://bit.ly/14CKE6e. Program details can be found on the GF2 website at: http://bit.ly/13QOKFM.
For more information and to register for a session, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.
The first intake for projects will be held between Sept. 9 and Oct. 24.
FREE SOIL TEST INTERPRETATION AT THIS YEAR’S IPM
OMAF’s soil specialists will be available at the International Plowing Match (IPM) to help you interpret and act on your soil test results. Take your soil test report to the OMAF exhibit Sept. 17 to 21. While you’re there, learn about soil health, as well as the latest in precision agriculture and agricultural mapping data.
ADVANTAGE SERIES OF FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMS™ IS CHANGING
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) are keeping pace with the changing marketplace, reducing duplication and responding to industry preference for globally-recognized food safety programs by phasing out the Advantage Series of Food Safety Programs™.
Changes:
• Certification services will no longer be offered for Ontario food processors.
•Ministry staff are working with food processors to support food safety best practices and to foster a sustainable, globally competitive food industry in Ontario.
• Over the next few years, Advantage resources and materials will be revised to be applicable for any food safety program.
What does this mean to Ontario producers and processors?
Any Ontario farmer or food processor can get help to implement any voluntary food safety program from OMAF and MRA.
• We can answer your questions about globally-recognized food safety programs, specifically those benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), as well as national food safety programs.
• We continue to provide resources, training and information related to food safety best practices: Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Agricultural Practices, and Hazardous Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
For more information, please phone 1-877-424-1300 or email foodsafety@ontario.ca.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN and GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS WORKSHOPS – OSCIA website
If you are wishing to attend an Environmental Farm Plan or Growing Your Farm Profits Workshop please visit the OSCIA website at www.ontariosoilcrop.org and click on “Workshop Calendar” to see the time and location of upcoming workshops. Click on the desired workshop to register.
COMING EVENTS
Sept. 6 – 7 Aberfoyle Fall Fair. Call: 519-837-9288 or refer to http://www.aberfoyleagriculturalsociety.com/
Sept. 7 – 8 Stratford Garlic Festival: http://www.stratfordgarlicfestival.com/.
Sept. 10 – 12 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show: http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/.
Sept. 13 – 15 Fergus Fall Fair. Call: 519-856-9621 or refer to http://www.fergusfallfair.ca .
Sept. 13 – 15 Harriston-Minto Fall Fair. For information contact: 519-338-3903.
Sept. 17 – 21 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, Perth County; website: http://www.ipm2013.org/.
Sept. 25 Shakespeare Swine Seminar, Shakespeare Community Centre, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. To register please call 1-877-424-1300.
Sept. 25 Forestry Twilight Tour – “Planning For Trees on the Farm” – 7 to 9 pm at R&R Poultry,
7649 Sideroad 6 East, Kenilworth, ON. Please RSVP to: Mark Funk at the GRCA: 1-866-900-4722 Extension 2259 or e-mail mfunk@grandriver.ca.
Sept. 28 Fall Wellington Rural Romp – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Details revealed soon.
Sept. 28 Colwyn Championship Showcase – A Fancy Rare Breed Poultry Show will be held at Colwyn Stables on 6104 Wellington County Road #29 (just south-east of Fergus). 9am – 3pm.
For more information please call: 519-843-3459 or check the website at: www.colwynshowcase.com.
