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
REMINDER!! 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, January 12th, 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, January 19th. 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.
CHECKLIST FOR WORKER POLICIES TRAINING
by Colleen Haskins
When training your workers in policies on the farm, especially for work during crucial production times such as harvest and final packing, it is necessary they are aware of all the food safety risks and are trained appropriately.
Areas that need to be addressed during Worker Policy Training are:
• Worker Practices – designated areas for eating, drinking, smoking, consuming medications and storing personal belongings
• Hand Washing – ensure training on proper hand washing techniques, using potable water, soap, one time use paper towels, hand wipes and sanitizing gel
• Clothing and Foot wear – suitable clothing, footwear (and safety equipment) for the expected task is available, clean, intact, and there is separate storage space for work clothes
• Injuries and Illness – any open wounds, cuts or individuals displaying symptoms of an illness are not in contact with food without taking the appropriate measures to prevent contamination.
Keep in mind, a “worker” is any individual on the farm associated with the farm processes and production of the commodity. For training information and resources, please call 1-877-424-1300 or visit our website www.ontario.ca/good-ag-practices. Food safety questions? Ask us.
DOG STRANGLING VINE THREAT
If anyone sees a vine with seed pods and seeds similar to Milkweed, please let me know. This is an extremely invasive plant that can be found in many parts of Ontario, but I am not aware of any in Wellington. I can forward an information sheet, if you wish. We must make every effort to keep it out! Please contact John Benham at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org.
GROWER PESTICIDE SAFETY COURSES 2012 TRAINING SCHEDULE
Date and locations of sessions for winter 2012 will be posted in December on the website located at: www.opep.ca. Growers may call the toll free registration line at: 1-800-652-8573.
REMINDER!! BALE WRAP RECYCLING
John C. Benham
As I have mentioned previously, there is a facility in Cambridge in desperate need of plastic bale wrap, silo tubes, boat wrap and plastic mulch to meet their orders for new products made from plastic film. They are able to handle plastic film that is black on the back of white. Call Don Nott at 519-482-7439 or dnott@tcc.on.ca and he will supply bags to store the plastic and will arrange to pick it up at no charge. In separate bags they can process bale netting and bale string. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
COMING EVENTS:
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.
Nov. 16 Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Annual Convention & Banquet – St. George Banquet Hall in Waterloo. To register for the daytime convention ($40), the evening banquet ($40) or both ($75), contact CFFO at 519-837-1620, or email: cffomail@christianfarmers.org.
Nov. 20-21 Ontario Young Farmers Forum 2011 “From Farm to Fork”, Doubletree by Hilton, Toronto Airport. Fee $160 (received by Nov. 11). Prices include all OYFF & OFA sessions, meals from dinner Sunday to dinner Monday. Information visit: http://www.jfao.on.ca/what-we-offer/oyff/ontario-young-farmers-forum.
Nov. 29 Wellington County Farm Safety Christmas Supper meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
Nov. 30 Forage Focus Seminar, Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare. Key note speaker: Michael C. Rankin of the Univ. of Wisconsin. To register: phone 1-877-892-8663 (payment by Visa or Mastercard).
Dec. 1 Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. For information contact secretary, Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790 or email: rcresman@sentex.net.
Dec. 6 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.
