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.
ONTARIO YOUNG FARMERS FINDING COMMON
Every year, the Ontario Young Farmers’ Forum brings the province’s brightest young farmers together for two days of networking and discussion on today’s most pressing agricultural issues. OYFF 2013 is put on by the Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum and is held in conjunction with the OFA’s annual convention in Toronto, Nov. 24 to 25.
The theme for 2013 is Finding Common Ground and we have an exciting line-up of speakers and panelists ranging from management and succession issues to grain marketing and financing, along with a few hot topics: the issue of bees and neonicotinoids, along with a discussion on land prices, management companies and ownership.
Angela Leach will be showing us how our soft-skills can improve our farm/family and we are also looking forward to hearing from Jack Wilkinson, a Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee, on the lessons he’s learned in a lifetime in agriculture and leadership.
Young farmers (aged 18 to 40) are encouraged to register early as space is limited. For more information and to download a registration form, please go to www.oyff.ca. Join us on Facebook or on Twitter @oyff2013.
For media inquiries, contact Mel Luymes at info@oyff.ca.
ABOUT TASTE REAL
Launched in 2011, Taste Real began as the new branding initiative of Guelph Wellington Local Food developed to support local businesses, farms and producers who are passionate about the way local food is grown, prepared, presented, enjoyed and how real it tastes!
Taste Real was developed with stakeholder engagement and is built upon the many successes of promoting local food that have taken place across the region. Working together with our partners and supporters, we are growing one of the most vibrant, local food economies and food tourism destinations in Ontario.
The mission of Taste Real as an initiative of Guelph Wellington Local Food is to support local small businesses and farms to build stronger rural communities and grow one of the most vibrant, local food economies and food tourism destinations in Ontario.
Strategic Objectives
1. Build upon the current authentic local food network by engaging agriculture, food and tourism partners and community ambassadors.
2. Foster the creation of infrastructure and distribution networks throughout the supply chain.
3. Develop, promote and deliver innovative products, services and experiences.
4. Facilitate transfer of knowledge, skills and best practices to mobilize the strategy.
Who is involved?
A group of 45 stakeholders were represented at the planning table, including representation from Wellington County and its seven Townships, and the City of Guelph. Representatives from all parts of the supply chain, from farms and retail to foodservice and distribution, were also involved. A key thrust of the initiative is economic development, which is supported by staff from Township Economic Development Offices, Guelph Tourism and Waterloo-Wellington Community Futures. Other supporters with multi-sectoral vested interests include Guelph Community Health Centre, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Wellington County OFA, and the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance. As the strategy moves forward, more and more partners are becoming involved.
Why Local Food First?
Because supporting the local community allows for business retention and expansion.
1. When stores are kept in business, it keeps jobs in town.
2. Money spent in your town in a local small business is spent again locally, often another five to seven times. Money spent at the big-box stores leaves town immediately and goes to the headquarters of said company.
3. You get better customer service from small businesses. And you can say “hi”, knowing the face behind the counter, which builds customer loyalty.
4. Supporting local businesses keeps your community alive. It keeps the local economy alive which helps with local events, and local community organizations, which small businesses are more apt to sponsor and support.
5. Supporting local food and farming helps make our communities more sustainable – economically, socially, environmentally and culturally.
COMING EVENTS
Oct. 18 – 20: Walkerton Fall Fair. For more information call 519-881-1251.
Oct. 23: Return Your Unwanted or Obsolete Pesticides and Food Animal Medications at North Wellington Co-op. For more information call 519-338-2331.
Nov. 7 – 9: 19th Dairy Sheep Symposium at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, 700 Hespeler Road, Cambridge. To register please call the OSMA office at 519-836-0043 or email admin@ontariosheep.org. Please check the website at: www.dsana.org for more detailed information.
