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
MAKING THE TRANSITION TO SMALL SCALE ORGANIC PRODUCTION
by Canadian Organic Growers
Tuesday, February 28th and Tuesday, March 20th, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Conference call
This workshop is geared to experienced small-scale produce farmers who are interested in transitioning to certified organic production. The workshop is delivered over two 2-hour sessions via conference call. Upon registration, participants will receive a workbook and toll-free number call-in details. The facilitator will be available by phone/email for questions or support with completing workbook activities in-between sessions.
Objectives include helping workshop participants to:
– Learn about the process of transitioning
– Understand the aspects of the Canadian Organic Standards that are directly relevant to small-scale produce farming
– Understand the “who”, “what” and “how” of organic certification
– Understand how to develop a comprehensive organic plan for their farm
– Meet other market gardeners and have an opportunity to network
Facilitated by: Theresa Schumilas, Garden Party; Cost: $70 ($60 members), $35 for additional people from the same farm business. Register with Canadian Organic Growers:
– online at www.cog.ca/shop/ (click “Events”) – by email office@cog.ca – by phone 1-888-375-7383.
Making the Transition to Small Scale Organic Production workshop may be eligible for cost-share funding through the Business Development for Farm Businesses program, one of the Best Practices suites of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial, territorial initiative. For more information on program requirements, call 1-800-265-9751 x64213 or visit: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/bdfbhome.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
Well, you have just missed the opportunity to attend the February Environmental Farm Plan workshop. The good News is that there will be another one beginning Monday, March 19th to be completed on Monday, March 26th in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room. Several farmers are signed up already. If you miss this opportunity it will soon be the busy season again and you must have a completed Third Edition EFP workbook to qualify for the EFP Cost Share to help you finance you planned projects. If you have a question about EFP or to sign up, call John at 519-846-3394 or sign up yourself at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
For those farmers in the northern part of Wellington and southern part of Grey, Liz Samis and Cheryl Russwurm are holding a combined Growing Your Farm Profits workshop in Mount Forest beginning Friday, February 24th to be completed on Friday, March 2nd. Lunch and refreshments are provided. Pre-registration is required. You may register online at www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops or by calling Cheryl at 519-367-5587 or Liz at 519-638-3268 or John at 519-846-3394. As well, Liz will hold another GYFP workshop in the Elora OMAFRA meeting room Friday, March 23rd to be completed on Friday, March 30th. Don’t miss out on these opportunities. There is good financial assistance to help you do a better job of managing your farm business.
COMING EVENTS:
Feb. 10- Grower Pesticide Safety Course in Mount Forest at 8:45 a.m. To register, phone North Wellington Co-op at 519-323-1271.
Feb. 14 -Free Online Advantage Food Safety Workshops for Producers – Pre and Post Harvest Water Use at 10:30 – 12:00 p.m. Call 1-877-424-1300 or register online at: http://omafra.webex.com.
Feb. 15&16- Farm Business Management Conference – “Take A New Approach: Global Perspectives for Growing Farm Profits” Delta Hotel, Guelph. Farm business management encompasses all aspects of the farm – from marketing and production to human resources, financial analysis and lifestyle. The Agricultural Management Institute encourages new ways of thinking about farm business management and is hosting this conference. For more information, call Susan Fitzgerald, 519-669-3350 or visit: http://www.takeanewapproach.ca/events/.
Feb. 16 & 23- Environmental Farm Plan Workshop, Orangeville. To register, contact Jonathan Watchurst at 519-942-1181 or email at: Dufferin@ontariosoilcrop.org.
Feb. 22 – Dufferin Feed and Seed Show and Annual Meeting – 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Amaranth Township Hall, 374028 6th Line Amaranth Township. Admission: $25.00 includes membership and lunch. Exhibitor space is available. For information, call Jim Irvine at 1-800-265-2284.
Feb. 22 & 23 – Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Annual General Meeting and Banquet – “Celebrating 50 Years of Strength, Commitment and Determination”, Doubletree Hotel, Toronto. For details visit: www.cattle.guelph.on.ca.
Feb. 23 – 29th Annual South Western Ontario Dairy Symposium, Woodstock Fairgrounds, Woodstock at 9:00 a.m. Cost is $20.00 and includes a roving hot lunch. For information, check the website: www.dairysymposium.com or email: jrodenburg@xplornet.com.
Feb. 27 & Mar. 5 -Growing Your Farm Profits Workshop in Orangeville. To register, contact Jonathan Watchurst at 519-942-1181 or via email at: Dufferin@ontariosoilcrop.org.
Mar. 6 – Dairy Housing Design Seminars – Tie Stall Housing – Milverton Recreation Complex, 40 Temperance Street, Milverton. To register by phone, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at: 1-877-424-1300 or email: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
