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
10TH LUTHER MARSH YOUTH OUTDOORS DAY – SEPT. 10TH
Rain or shine, 250 young people will gather Sept. 10 for Youth Outdoors Day at Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
Since its inception 10 years ago, nearly 2,000 youngsters 9 to 16 have discovered that learning about the outdoors is fun when the lessons are hands-on. The outdoors has a great deal to offer kids, but sometimes they need a little nudge to discover it. Here they have the chance to enjoy fishing, bird watching, camping or simply spotting an acrobatic osprey.
Last year 36 station leaders and over 70 volunteers assisted with the day, helping to set up the tents, prepare the sites, prepare meals and help groups of students as they tour the various stations.
“As a parent turned volunteer, I have experienced first-hand the benefit of such a day,” said Sharon Grose, a member of the board. “I attended the first event with my oldest son. I was amazed at the enthusiasm and passionate of volunteers who were willing to share their skills. We’ve seen reptile displays, dog training, archery – a lot of activities that you would not find anywhere else.”
Instructors bring their skills and provide the gear so that young people can see and feel what it’s like to handle a bow and arrow, build a bird house or feeder. Many of the kids have never done these activities before. Other activities include bird identification and banding, camping, falconry, fish identification, fly fishing, target shooting, wildflowers, wetland discovery and butterfly banding.
“Our goal is simple. We want today’s youth to be exposed to outdoor adventures and activities, to learn what opportunities are out there so they can enjoy the great outdoors. We plant a seed, and then hopefully the students will become interested and possibly become future environmental stewards,” Grose says.
Youth 9 to 16 are can register online at www.youthoutdoorsday.com. Register early as space is limited to 200, the deadline is Aug. 31st. There is no charge to youth, who must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are appreciated and a tax receipt can be issued for over $25. For information, contact Sharon Grose at sharon@huskyfarm.ca.
PERFORMANCE HORSE HANDLER CERTIFICATE COURSE
The University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus will be offering a one-year, full-time certificate program at REACH, Regional Equine & Agricultural Centre of Huron, in Clinton. This program will commence again in September 2011. Do you have a love for horses? Are you interested in the horse racing industry? Do you want to learn about working with competition horses? The Performance Horse Handler Certificate is designed to provide graduates with the technical knowledge and skills to be a well qualified employee in the equine industry.
This one year certificate will prepare students to work in thoroughbred, quarter horse or standard bred racing, dressage, show jumping, reining, breeding and other stables, and places of competition where experienced horse handling is required. Students will be exposed to the preparation of horses for racing or competition, learn the principles of horse behaviour and safe horse handling, and carry out duties including handling, feeding, grooming and caring for performance horses in a controlled environment as well as in the field.
For more information, visit www.ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca.
COMING EVENTS:
July 28 Wellington County Cattlemen’s Association BBQ and Pasture Tour at the Robert Huber farm, west of Conn. Cost is $5/adult and kids under 10 are free. For more information call: Harold Fisher at 519-338-2832 or secretary, Linda McFadden at 519-846-5215.
Aug. 2 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly Board meeting, check for information on special August meeting, details with secretary, Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
Aug. 4 Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly Board meeting, normally held at the St Agatha Community Center. For information contact Secretary, Richard Cressman at: (519) 662-2790, or email: rcresman@sentex.net.
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 adults, children under 12 free; 9am – 5pm. 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:p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose 519-846-5329.
Sept. 13–15 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Canada’s Outdoor Park, Woodstock, ON. Watch for event details at http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/.
Sept. 24 Fall Rural Romp – self guided tour of farms and markets throughout Wellington County. Visit www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
Sept. 20–24 2011 International Plowing Match, Prescott-Russell County. Details at: http://www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2011/index.php.
Sept. 27 Wellington County Farm Safety regular meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
