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
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS – by John C. Benham
Have you ever wished you had better computer training or bookkeeping instruction and more sound financial management of your farm business? Well, on Friday, September 9th, there is an opportunity to learn more about these concerns. The workshop will be completed on Friday, September 16th and will be held in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch and refreshments provided. Many other subjects important to your farm business management will be discussed. You will not be required to discuss anything about your own business, but it will be an opportunity to learn from other farmers how they handled various situations. We keep hearing good comments about these workshops.
For more information and to sign up, call 519-846-0941 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
2011-12 FUNDING FOR SPEAKERS ON FARM MANAGEMENT, FROM AMI
Agriculture Management Institute has set up Farm Business Management Event & Speaker Funding.
Description: Maintaining a visible presence at complimentary events is an easy way to continually provide producers with a resonating message about the concept of “taking a new approach” to their farm business practices as well as leading them to our information website. Therefore, AMI will allot funding for events and communication opportunities to increase the visibility of AMI and create avenues to encourage more farmers to examine their business practices. Funding will help bring farm business management speakers to various conferences and workshops in Ontario (maximum $5,000 per applicant). Funding will also help to increase awareness of AMI through logo placement and display booth as well as having a representative from AMI, when possible, presenting at the event.
Action/Deliverable: Maintain clear and informative farm business management messaging through the funding of speakers at various events;
Provide Ontario farmers with an avenue for accessing farm business management information by creating a presence at complimentary events through sponsorships.
This pot is not bottomless by any means and is ‘first come, first served. It provides an opportunity for conferences to access some funds to bring in business management speakers. Any interested organizing committees should contact AMI for details, www.TakeANewApproach.ca, 519 822-6618, Agriculture Management Institute, 200-120 Research Lane, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 0B4.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY – COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM (CEPP) INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION GRANTS
Applications are now available for the new Community Energy Partnerships Program (CEPP) education grant. Eligible organizations, proposing to undertake new community power education projects may now apply. CEPP’s education grants will help build awareness and capacity among Ontarians to participate in, or develop renewable energy generation projects in their communities. More information: http://www.communityenergyprogram.ca/EducationGrants/EdGrants_OverviewPage.aspx
REMINDER!! ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN – by John C. Benham
Keep in mind that you need a Third Edition EFP to qualify for financial assistance in 2012.
The next EFP workshop is planned for Wednesday, July 13th to be completed on Wednesday, July 20th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room. No cost to you. Lunch and refreshments provided!
Don’t put off signing up since several farmers are already on the list and space is limited.
To qualify for the cost share in 2012 you must have completed your EFP workbook well before Thursday, September 15th, the planned date of the Cost Share applications to be available.
For more information and to sign up, call John Benham at 519-846-3394.
COMING EVENTS:
July 6 & 7 SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Days – University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
July 12 Canola Crop Tour: Variety, Nitrogen/Sulphur and Fungicide Trials, Stone Crushing Demo / Guest Speaker: Victor Aideyan, at Mike Schill’s Farm / 3 km. north of Arthur on Highway 6, Fire # 8719; 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details at: www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca.
July 13 Ontario Forage Expo, Elora Research Station. Details at: http://www.ontarioforagecouncil.com/.
July 14 Farm$mart Expo, Elora Research Station. Details will be available at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
July 15 FarmSmart Expo 4H/Youth Day at the Elora Research Station. Check website for details, http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/index.html.
Aug. 5-7 Drayton Agricultural Fair, Drayton. For more information, call 519-343-3971.
Aug. 17 & 18 Hasting County Plowing Match and Farm Show – 2 Countryman Road, Tweed. Free parking, $5.00 adults, children under 12 free; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit http://www.hastingsfarmshow.com/; call 613-395-5177 or email jaciegunning@gmaill.com.
Aug. 24 & 25 Farm & Agriculture Emergencies Training – Grain Entrapment, Grain Bin Entry & Technical Rescue – Emergency Training Centre – Blyth www.estc.ca.
Aug. 24 Herb Demonstration Day – OMAFRA Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe. Call: 519-426-7120.
Aug. 30 Wellington County Farm Safety – regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose 519-846-5329.
