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 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
FOOD SEMINARS IN PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE
Thanks to the success of the regional seminars, Georgian College, the Agri-Food Management Institute, the County of Simcoe, and OMAFRA have partnered to host the all-Ontario Food Entrepreneurship Conference on March 3 and 4 at Georgian College in Barrie.
The seminars will mirror the Orillia and Midland Food Entrepreneurship Seminars held last October.
To date, over 700 food-related entrepreneurs have come out to learn from experts, ranging from entrepreneurs, product developers, support organizations, food inspection, and government.
Panels ranged from regional food entrepreneurs sharing their story, to funding and resources experts, to considerations for requirements and regulations related to business growth. The day also included interactive workshops that allowed attendees to connect with other entrepreneurs through a facilitated networking session, or perfect their product and investment pitch. To learn more and register, visit www.georgiancollege.ca/FEON.
TRANSITION SMART
Thinking about taking your farming to the next level and processing on-farm? This workshop was developed through the strategic partnership between AMI and Georgian College. The focus is connecting farmers with the tools to become processors.
The workshop will focus on practical preparation tools that can be immediately implemented and identifying feasible value-added opportunities for your farming business. Workshop is on Feb. 20 and 27 at the Georgian College Barrie Campus or March 12 and 13 in St. Jacobs. For more information contact Wanda.moosang@georgiancollege.ca or visit the Food Entrepreneurship page at http://goo.gl/JDWvYD.
Register now as space is limited or call for more information 705.728.1968 ext. 1605. Cost is $179 plus HST.
COMING EVENTS
Feb. 17 – The Dufferin Feed and Seed Show and Annual Meeting at Amaranth Township Hall, Laurel, 9:30am to 4pm. For information contact Jim Irvine at 519-835-9929.
Feb. 17 to 18 – The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls. Visit www.ofvc.ca/.
Feb. 17 to 18 – 2016 Beef Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, International Plaza Hotel, 655 Dixon Road, Toronto. Visit website http://goo.gl/WNZ0Ar.
