A weekly press release prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. If you require further information, regarding this press release, please call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
GETTING STARTED…
If you are new to agriculture, planning for a farm business can be a daunting task. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has developed Starting a Farm in Ontario, Business Resource Guide for New Farmers to help you through this process. The guide is also for farmers looking for new information and resources available in Ontario.
Successful farmers have well thought out plans. Farming is a complex business, and there are many aspects to consider and plan for before you get started. This guide will help you identify these items and recommend additional resources.
For more information or to order copies contact: Agriculture Information Contact Centre; Phone: 1-877-424-1300; Email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca; Website: www.ontario.ca/OMAFRA.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
Are you looking for ways to make your farm business more profitable? Attending the GYFP workshop and completing a self assessment in a book similar to the Environmental Farm Plan and developing your own Action Plan, you will then be in a position to apply for cost share funds to help you carry out some of the Action Plans you have developed.
In the area of skills development training assistance is available for planning your business strategy and structure, marketing and succession planning. You will appreciate the opportunity to get new information and improve your skills to increase the viability of your farm.
The next GYFP workshop will be held on Friday, June 17th and will be completed on Friday, June 24. On Friday, September 9th and Friday, September 16th are the dates of the fall workshop. Both the June and September workshops will be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch and refreshments are provided. No charge. To sign up, call John at 519-846-3394.
GIANT HOGWEED
John C. Benham
REMINDER: If you know of a location where Giant Hogweed was identified last year, I recommend you carefully investigate that area soon for plants this year. Seeds in the soil will germinate for several years. The plants should be destroyed as soon as possible since they grow very quickly and are dangerous if the plant sap happens to make skin contact and can cause serious blistering when exposed to sunlight.
Since Giant Hogweed is on the Noxious Weed list in the Weeds Act, all these plants must be destroyed. It is the responsibility of the land owner to have them destroyed.
JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEXT GROWING SEASON OMAFRA’S NEW ONTARIO.CA/URBANAGRICULTURE WEBSITE
OMAFRA’s urban agriculture site was created with the urban agriculturist and the municipal policy-maker in mind. While both groups may look at backyard agriculture from different perspectives, there is a synergy between them. Many of the links at Ontario.ca/UrbanAgriculture connect website visitors to OMAFRA resources and those of other organizations to make the urban agriculture collection a comprehensive resource.
COMING EVENTS:
May 28 – Wellington Spring Romp – a tour of local farms selling direct to public. Experience a day in the countryside, meet local producers, enjoy learning about local agriculture, explore culinary delights, guided tours and children’s activities along the Romp. There are over a dozen locations with special programming throughout the region. For information, check the website: www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
May 31- Wellington County Farm Safety – regular meeting held at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
June 2 – Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly Board meeting at the St. Agatha Community Center. For information contact secretary, Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790, or email: rcresman@sentex.net.
June 2 – Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA) 7th Annual Ontario Provincial Conference – Quality Inn & Suites, Woodstock. For more information, phone 1-877-474-2871.
June 7 – Wellington Federation of Agriculture monthly board meeting, at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Cty. Rd. #7, Elora. For information contact secretary, Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
June 7 & 8 – Climate Change and the Implications for Plant Science – Symposium. Place – Room 160, Johnson Hall, University of Guelph, Guelph. Contact: 519-767-5000 or Email – info@open.uoguelph.ca; Website – www.plantscience.open.uoguelph.ca; or Alt. Website – www.croplife.ca.
June 7 & 14 – Waterloo County Growing Your Farm Profits Workshop (2 days) will be held in Linwood from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register or more information, call Liz Samis at 519-638-3268 or lsamis@ontariosoilcrop.org.
June 21-22 – 38th Annual Ontario Pork Congress. Place – Stratford Agricultural and Recreational Complex. Website – http://www.porkcongress.on.ca/
July 6 & 7 – SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Days – University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
