A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). For more information call 519-846-0941, 1-877-424-1300 or visit www.ontario.ca/omafra. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Ontario-wide farm invention challenge
Farm and Food Care is launching the Ontario-wide Farm Invention Challenge with $9,000 in cash prizes for winners in the categories of animal care and water efficiency and quality.
The Farm Invention Challenge will help share ideas and methods that farmers are using on their farms every day in categories such as:
– Large farm gadgets and gizmos. Whether it’s welding a new attachment or designing a new feeding system, share your large scale farm innovations;
– Small farm gadgets and gizmos. Have you ever fixed something with a rubber band? Write about simple fixes that have revolutionized your farm;
– Farm hacks. How simple changes around your barn save time and headaches;
– What changes to equipment or practices have led to improved water quality and less nutrient runoff from farm lands? Share ideas that help Ontario farmers better manage nutrients and minimize off-site impacts;
– Have you built a custom control system or used a different moisture sensor system to minimize overuse of water? Enter your equipment ideas or conservation practices; or
– Tell us about community-organized or farm group projects that have helped protect or improve water resources. Prizes of $1,000 for first place and $500 for second will be awarded in each category.
For more information visit www.farmfoodcare.org.
Coming events
– Dec. 11: Rockwood Farmers’ 22nd annual Parade of Lights beginning at 7pm;
– Jan. 29 to Feb. 1: Guelph Organic Conference and Expo, Guelph University Centre.
