A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). 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 OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
OMAFRA’S STRATFORD OFFICE CHANGES LOCATION
As of Oct.15, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ (OMAFRA) Stratford office has relocated to 63 Lorne Ave. East, Suite 2B in Stratford. This is part of OMAFRA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the service it provides to its regional clients. There will be no disruption of service and all of the phone, fax and email information will stay the same. Clients are also encouraged to call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or send an email to: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca to access ministry resources.
ONTARIO LAVENDER CONFERENCE: THE BUSINESS OF LAVENDER
Date: Nov. 14 and 15, 2012. Location: Quality Inn and Suites, Woodstock, Ontario
Early Bird Registration Date: Oct. 29, 2012
Regular Registration: Up to Nove. 14, 2012
This event will explore practical approaches to help you successfully run and market your agri-tourism business.
Learn from the perspective of worldwide lavender experts. Topics will include lavender production requirements, value-added product development (e.g. soaps, essential oils, and culinary products), product labelling and label claims, legal considerations (e.g. liability, bylaws), food safety and traceability, and marketing.
For more information, and to register visit: www.ontariolavenderassociation.org
ON FARM FOOD SAFETY: YOUR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Storage of Potentially Hazardous Products
Clearly label and store potentially hazardous products according to the instructions on the label. This is especially important if you have diluted or mixed pest control or cleaning products not in the original container. Products that do not have legible labels may be used accidentally or incorrectly. This could cause damage to equipment or leave residues on food and/or food contact surfaces. Remember to keep hazardous products in a designated storage location separate from non-hazardous products to reduce food safety risks.
Food safety practices contribute to competitive, productive and sustainable agri-food business. For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs website at: www.ontario.ca/goodagpractices or call us at 1-877-424-1300.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
Several farmers are already signed up for the next two-day EFP workshop to be held on Wednesday, November 14th and will be completed Wednesday, Nov. 21 in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room from 10am to 3pm Lunch and refreshments are provided. The whole workshop is no cost to you.
Many participants have been surprised by the amount they learn at the workshop and completing the workbook. Many find the workbook a great reference to refer to in the future.
To sign up electronically go to: www.ontariosoilcrop.org or call John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 13 – OMAFRA Sheep Seminar “Show Ewe the Money” – Profitable Flock Expansion – Elma Memorial Community Centre, Atwood from 8:45am to 4pm Check the website: www.ontario.ca/sheep or phone 1-877-424-1300 for more information.
Nov. 14&15 – Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) Fall Continuing Education Program, Holiday Inn, Guelph. Check the website: www.oabp.ca.
Nov. 18-19 – The Ontario Young Farmers Forum – “The Language of Agriculture”. Place: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Toronto Airport. Contact Name – Junior Farmers’ Association of Ontario at 519-780-JFAO (5326), Email: info@oyff.ca, Website: www.oyff.ca.
Nov. 27 – OMAFRA’s “Good Agriculture Practices” Webinar Series: Using Food Safety to Market Your Products, 12 noon. Make your food safety practices work for you in the marketplace. Understand how keeping your customers informed about the food safety efforts you have made can benefit your business. Webinar details and registration online at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/producers/webinars.htm.
Nov. 27-28 – OMAFRA Sheep Infrastructure Workshop – This two-day course is targeted toward people in the planning cycle for building large, commercial-scale infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise.
Participants will be sent home with some good ideas and the need to examine more options before committing themselves on any capital project.
The Workshop includes stops at several commercial-sized operations that are using some of the concepts covered, which will allow participants make informed decisions on expansion. For more information, click: www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/sheep/20081211.htm.
Nov. 28 – Ontario Forage Focus 2012, Shakespeare. Cost: $40, includes conference proceedings and a hot roast beef lunch. Registration deadline: Nov. 23. Details available online at: www.ontarioforagecouncil.com/programs/forage-focus-.html.
Dec. 4 – Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting, at OMAFRA boardroom, Elora at 7:30pm For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774 or email: jplh@golden.net.
Dec. 5 – National Farmers Union Waterloo-Wellington Local, monthly board meeting at 7:15pm at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma (they meet every first Wednesday of the month).
