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: 8:30 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
Recently several improvements have been made to this program to make it easier to use. On Thursday, November 3rd, the next GYFP Workshop will be held in the Elora OMAFRA Boardroom from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be completed on Thursday, November 10th. Lunch and refreshments will be available at no cost. Cost share funding of over $30,000 is available to help you upgrade your farm business management skills. Don’t miss out on an opportunity such as this. For information and to sign up, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN by John C. Benham
Several farmers have signed up already for the next EFP workshop. It will be held in the OMAFRA Boardroom Wednesday, November 9th and will be completed Wednesday, November 16th, starting at 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Lunch and refreshments are provided. Don’t forget a completed 3rd edition EFP is a requirement to access several other cost share programs. Get it done so as to avoid another last minute rush for cost share applications. For information, call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
FARM VISITORS AND YOUR FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM by Jan Schooley
Can you stay in control – or do you shudder when visitors come to your farm? A visitor access policy is crucial to exercising some control over visitors. A written policy will help you and your staff – manage people flow and their impacts on your products. Think about all the points where your visitors might come into contact with product. Make sure that there is a sufficient supply of sanitizer wipes and sanitizer gel to keep everyone’s hands clean. Consider signage about the importance of clean hands.
OMAFRA has a new series of free posters on handwashing that you may find useful. If your visitors will be using a portable toilet make sure these are clean and well stocked – and well signed. You may also want to consider directional signs that keep people on the right path or headed for the right field. Being in control means being in the know – about what people are doing on your farm and where they are going. Make it a pleasant experience for everyone.
For training information and resources, please call 1-877-424-1300 or visit our website www.ontario.ca/good-ag-practices. Any food safety questions? Ask us.
BALE WRAP RECYCLING John C. Benham
Have we finally found a solution to the plastic wrap problem?
There is a facility in Cambridge that is picking up bale wrap on the farm at no cost to the farmer. A pilot project has been successful and now they are looking to expand and are in need of a supply of plastic bale wrap and plastic mulch. They supply a container to store the plastic which they pick-up.
If you wish to know more, call Don Nott at 519-482-7439. As well, if you contact me at 519-846-3394 or email me at wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org, I can forward the information that was presented to me.
SPECIES AT RISK by John C. Benham
This program has been renewed for 2011. Cost share support even up to 100% is available to help you complete several EFP categories. If you have a poor stream crossing or bridge, funding of 50% up to $20,000 is available to help you correct the problem. Call 519-846-3394 or email wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
COMING EVENTS:
Oct. 22 – Take a Bite Out of Climate Change Bus Tour. Join Canadian Organic Growers on a biodiesel-powered tour of Ignatius Farm, Everdale Organic Farm, and Mapleton’s Organic. See organic farming in practice and learn about its climate-change mitigating potential. $10/person from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. Meet at Ignatius Farm Workshop. Fuel from: Everpure Biodiesel Coop, transportation by Sharp Bus Lines. More info: www.cogwaterloo.ca/events.php.
Oct. 25 – 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.
Nov. 1 – Wellington Federation of Agriculture, Monthly Board Meeting at OMAFRA Boardroom, 6484 Wellington Rd., #7, Elora. Contact Lisa Hern at 519-848-3774, or email: jplh@golden.net.
Nov. 1-5 2011 International Goat Symposium, will be held in conjunction with the 2011 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Watch for details at http://www.ogba.ca.
Nov. 4-13 – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Visit: http://www.royalfair.org/.
Nov. 5 – Elora Farmers’ Market (until March 17th, 2012) – winter location at Grand River Raceway; 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Check the website for more information: www.elorafarmersmarket.ca.
Nov.13 – Exploring Your New Farm Dream Course. Time: 6:30 p.m. Place – London Training Centre, 317 Adelaide Street South, Unit #110, London. Website – http://www.farmstart.ca/explorer/up-coming-courses/.
Nov. 15- OMAFRA Sheep Seminar, Atwood – Elma Memorial Community Centre, 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call toll free: 1-877-424-1300.
