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: 8:30am to 5pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca.
IMPROVING RURAL COMMUNITIES IMPORTANT TO MONSANTO CANADA
Back in 2008, Monsanto set a series of goals to work with farmers to make agriculture more sustainable. In broad strokes these goals were to produce more (double yields by 2030), conserve more (using a third less inputs) and improve the lives of farmers and the people who depend on them. Lofty goals for sure but with the global population expected to grow by 40% in the next few decades food production will need to grow exponentially. With the onus in large part on farmers around the world, including those in Canada, to meet this growing need it is the third goal of improving farmers’ lives that Monsanto is dedicating significant time and resources to. Monsanto believes that discovering and delivering innovative products that support the farmers who feed, fuel and clothe the world will in and of itself help to improve the lives of farmers abroad. But we believe we can do more.
As part of Monsanto’s global commitment to improve the lives of farmers, Monsanto Canada has launched the Genuity® Project – Communities Advanced. Through the Genuity® Project, Monsanto Canada will donate $25,000 to worthy causes across rural communities in Ontario and Quebec. In total, 10 grants of $2,500 will be awarded. These grants will support building initiatives in and around the communities that farmers live. A panel comprised of representatives from the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI), Le Salon de l’agriculture and Monsanto Canada, will review all eligible applications. Applications are now being accepted through September 30, 2011. Details on how to apply for a grant for your community can be found at www.genuitytraits.ca.
ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY–ICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PACKING PRODUCE
by Colleen Haskins, OMAFRA
You’ve ensured your pre and post water rinses were potable (E.Coli 0 CFUs, Total Coliforms 0 CFUs). Your workers have been trained on proper food safety practices. Your product is now ready to be packed in ice, have you taken all the necessary measures to ensure your product is safe? What about the source of your ice? Was it made from a potable water source? Do you purchase your ice from a supplier? Never assume, always ask for the water test results and treatment records of the water source to make the ice and for the cleaning and sanitation records for the equipment used to make the ice. It may be their ice, but it is the safety of your product that customers will remember. You need water records for your food safety program, and will need them for the ice used as well.
RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS
Ontario’s new Risk Management Program helps Ontario farmers deal with risks that are beyond their control. With this program in place, farmers can focus on what they do best – growing good things in Ontario. Here are the dates and locations for information sessions for the new Risk Management Program. Presentations by experts from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agricorp will provide an overview of how the program works and what you need to do to participate. The meetings run from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. For a full list of dates visit: http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca/english/about/rmp/rmpcalendar.htm.
ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY — DIRTY MONEY!
by Don Blakely, OMAFRA
When we think of dirty money we conjure up thoughts of ill-begotten dollars through illegal activities such as the drug trade or fraudulent activities. When it comes to food safety, dirty money is pathogen, fecal covered coins and bills. Just think of the number of hands money comes in contact with, which may or may not be clean. Plus money never gets washed so that contamination stays around for a long time. It is refreshing to go into a sub shop and watch your order prepared by staff with gloves on which are then removed when they take your cash payment. The same cannot be said about stopping at a farmer’s roadside produce stand and watching an attendant handle your purchase with dirty hands, collect your cash then proceed to service the next customer without any attention to washing their hands. If you have a roadside stand or sell at a farmer’s market you can increase your customer’s confidence in food safety by keeping your hands clean by washing them if running water and soap are readily available, using plastic gloves to handle produce then removing to handle cash or keeping a ready supply of disinfectant wipes and hand gel available which are used after handling cash. The Canadian Government will soon be introducing new plastic bills, which in addition to being difficult to counterfeit could be laundered to clean them. Maybe then we can look forward to cleaner money but for now we are stuck with dirty money!
COMING EVENTS:
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. 24 Colwyn Championship Showcase – A Fancy Rare Breed Poultry Show held at Colwyn Stables on 6104 County Road #29 south-east of Fergus. For info. 519-843-3459.
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.
Oct. 4 Wellington Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Wellington Rd. #7, Elora. For information, contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
