LOCAL EVENTS
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Grower Pesticide Safety Course Offered Online Learn and certify online. New this year! You can take the Grower Pesticide Safety course through the internet. Openings are still available for the April 14-20 session. The course takes place over five days. You need to participate every day. You need to be competent in the use of a computer, have a high speed connection and be a self-directed learner. Call the Ontario Pesticide Education Program at 1-800-652-8573 or 519-674-2230 or visit: www.opep.ca
AgriProcessing Initiative The AgriProcessing Initiative (API) is part of the Agricultural Flexibility Fund announced in Budget 2009 (federal). This initiative is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the agri-processing sector in Canada. It provides support to existing processing companies for agri-processing projects that involve the adoption of innovative and new-to-company manufacturing technologies and processes that are essential to sustaining and improving the sector's position in today's global marketplace. The AgriProcessing Initiative is a five year initiative providing up to $50 million and ending on March 31, 2014. It is a discretionary program delivered nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Applications are welcome on an ongoing basis until funding is exhausted. While there are no deadlines to apply, funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2014. To contact an API representative for further information, e-mail API at API@agr.gc.ca, call 1-877-246-4682 or visit: www.agr.gc.ca/api.
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Greenhouse Nutrient Management Consultation
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Ministry of the Environment are holding public meetings regarding a recent regulatory proposal (number 011-8101) for the land application of greenhouse nutrient feedwater that has been posted on the Regulatory and Environmental Registries. To access the proposal, go to: http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-
The public will be given information about the proposal and provided an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Four meetings will be held during March and April 2013 – Leamington (March 18), Jordan Station (March 19), Toronto (April 2) and Toronto (April 2 – French language). For complete details including how to register, visit Dateline at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/
UPDATES
Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program: The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) is a five-year (2009-2014), $163 million program with the objective of facilitating the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector’s ability to seize opportunities, to respond to new and emerging issues, and to pathfind and pilot solutions to new and ongoing issues in order to help it adapt and remain competitive. Launched as a successor to the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program, CAAP will continue to support industry-led initiatives at the national, regional and multi-regional levels. Regionally the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) will receive $28.1 million over the five years to deliver Ontario’s CAAP funding. CAAP’s goal is to support industry-led approaches and solutions that allow the sector to quickly adapt to changes, respond to emerging issues and capture new opportunities. More information: http://www.adaptcouncil.org/e/current-programs/caap.php
Performance Trials Now Available: The Ontario Spring Cereals Performance Trials, the Ontario Hybrid Corn Performance Trials and the Ontario Soybean Variety Trials are now available. Check out their respective websites at www.gocereals.ca
www.gocorn.net and www.gosoy.ca
OntarioForage crop variety brochure: The Ontario Forage Crop Variety Performance 2012 Brochure is now available. Copies will be mailed directly to producers as inserts in the next dairy, beef and sheep magazines. Individuals and agri-business can request hard copies from: David Morris, Secretary, Ontario Forage Crops Committee, davidtmorris@rogers.com and a PDF version of the Brochure can also be viewed and downloaded online at www.GoForages.ca.
Farm Equipment on the Highway: The Farm Guide has been developed to provide general information and clarification for the laws that apply to farm equipment and select provisions that apply to farm trucks. Representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and its partners have provided input into the development of the guide to ensure that questions from the farming community have been addressed. This guide is intended to help the farming community better understand their legal obligations under the law. Enforcement officers may also use this guide as a reference. http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/farm-guide/pdfs/farm-guide.pdf
MarketView available daily: MarketView is a brief daily email commentary of financial news that impacts Ontario’s agriculture sector. It provides a recap of commodity prices and trends, interest rate information and energy prices from a layman’s point of view. The intent is to deliver a brief summary of news from global financial sources which influences agricultural markets. The commentary is different from most economic information because it is taken from an investor’s perspective, and looks at how financial information may influence their investment decisions, which ultimately lead to movement in commodity market prices. Email Jennifer Stevenson at jennifer.stevenson@ontario.ca to subscribe.
Central OntarioAgricultural Conference – 2012: “Building a Better Farm Business” is what organizers of the Central Ontario Agricultural Conference hope farmers will do as a result of attending their upcoming event. Chairman John Miller is convinced 2012 will be an exciting year for livestock producers and field crop growers. The conference is an opportunity not to be missed. The planning committee has worked hard to continue to offer a top notch educational program and tradeshow. There are local, provincial and international speakers that will be of interest to horse, crop, maple syrup, farm fresh, organic, poultry and livestock farmers. The Central Ontario Agricultural Conference continues to provide the latest information we need to remain competitive and profitable. The trade show is an important part of the event with about 40 agribusinesses participating. This is a chance to talk to industry experts one on one. Keynote speakers over the 3 days include John DePutter, Ian Cumming, Dr. Julie Munro and Fred Below. For a full list of speakers and program on “Building a Better Farm Business” please visit the website at www.centralontarioagconference.ca
By pre-registering on line now, participants will enjoy a discounted price of $30.00 per person which includes one day of the conference and a hot meal at noon. Early registration ends December 31, 2011. Farmers and agribusiness representatives can find the full conference brochure in the December edition of the Farm View. This January 4th, 5th, and 6th 2012, attend Central Ontario Agricultural Conference at Georgian College, Barrie Campus. This conference has been made possible through the dedicated work of a volunteer committee chaired by John Miller of Creemore and many program sponsors and supporters. We hope to see you there. For more information, contact: Connie Brown, 705-726-9300 ext 1224
Rural Ontario Institute Workshops: The Rural Ontario Institute, collaborating with a variety of organizations and trainers, is pleased to offer and promote a number of personal leadership and organizational development workshops over the remaining month of 2011. These workshops are open to individuals and organizations across rural Ontario. Workshop/ course information is available on our website at www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca under the ‘Leadership Training’ tab.
OntarioVolunteer Service Award: Nomination deadline is January 25. Only organizations can enter nominations for the Volunteer Service Awards. Any organization that has been providing service for five years or more can nominate up to seven volunteers. Nominations are eligible from organizations such as: Not-for-profit and non-profit organizations and associations, Co-operatives, Boards and commissions, Businesses, Government ministries that recruit volunteers, Arts, educational and correctional institutions and schools ,Municipalities, Long-term care homes and hospitals. Here is the link to the website: http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honours/vsa.shtml
Programs and Resources
E-LETTERS
For a complete list of OMAFRA newsletters, visit: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/newsletters.html
CeptorAnimal Health News
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/ceptor/news.html
OMAFRA Environmental Management Newsletter
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/newsletter/emn.htm
OMAFRA Agricultural Business Update
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/news/index.html#agbus
OMAFRA ON Organic
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/organic/news/news-organic.html
OMAFRA Horse News and Views
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/news.html
OMAFRA Virtual Beef
www.ontario.ca/livestockand click on OMAFRA Virtual Beef
Crop Talk
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/news/news_croptalk.html
OMAFRA’s Regular Field Crop Reportshttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/reports/index.html
OMAFRA HORT Matters
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/news_hortmatt.html
Agricorp
http://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/news/dates.asp#dateID_445
Foodland Ontario
http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/
Information on Harmonized Sales Tax for Ontario’s Farmershttp://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/busdev/facts/HSTbenefits.htm
Young and New Workers: Are Yours Ready? http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/new_workers.php
Eat Local Food Page Ontario
http://www.foodlink.ca/index.php?p=local_food_across_ontario
Vegetable Newsletter
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/news_vegview.html
OntarioBerryGrower
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/news_berrygrower.html
OMAFRA Connects is provided with the intent to keep you informed of upcoming workshops, meetings, programs and resources in your community. You are welcome to share this with colleagues and other producers. If you know someone who is interested in receiving OMAFRA Connects or if you would like to receive a copy directly, please contact us.We would be happy to add you to our e-mail distribution group. Please note that the target publication date of OMAFRA Connects will be the first Friday of each month. Submissions and requests to subscribe/unsubscribe may be forwarded to: pierrette.desrochers@ontario.ca
Northern Ontario Regional Office - Phone: 1-800-461-6132 Fax: 705-594-9675
Regional Manager – North Region: Mary Ellen Norry Car
Regional Livestock Specialist: Barry Potter
Agricultural Business Management Specialist: Julie Poirier Mensinga
Food Safety and Traceability Initiative
The application intake date for 2011 will be announced soon. As soon as it is available, the information will be posted on the ministry website and ag-organizations will receive notification.
In preparation, those interested can review the 2010 FSTI guidebook on the ministry website – the 2011 guidebook will be posted soon. You can also secure your Premises Identification number as Premises Identification is an eligibility requirement for FSTI cost-share funding. Information on Premises Identification is included on the ministry website at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/foodsafety/traceability/premisesid.htm
FSTI information sessions provide excellent information to applicants and are an eligibility requirement for applications under FSTI ‘Option 1’. Sessions will be held over the coming weeks – dates and times to be posted soon. If you attended a session in a previous year, you do not need to attend again.
As always, information will be available in the Growing Forward section of the ministry website, by calling 1-888-479-3931, or by e-mail at growingforward@ontario.ca .
Funding Opportunity: Broader Public Sector Investment Fund - Deadline February 15!
More local food will soon be available in the cafeterias of hospitals, schools and other public institutions.
The Broader Public Sector Investment Fund will help connect farmers, food processors, and distributors with schools, hospitals, and municipalities to increase the amount of Ontario food purchased by the broader public sector. This will help support Ontario farmers and the agri-food industry.
The initiative includes funds for local projects that encourage business between institutions and farmers.
The fund will be administered by the Greenbelt Fund, a sister organization of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. Letters of intent will be accepted until February 15, 2011. Learn more about the fund and out how to apply by visiting www.Ontariofresh.ca.
Agricorp: New Excess rainfall coverage for hay and haylage
For more information, visit: http://www.agricorp.com/en-ca/News/Pages/Newexcessrainfallcoverageforhayandhaylage.aspx
Government Changes Tax Classification for Farm Bunkhouses
Ontario is changing the farm bunkhouses property tax classification from residential to farm beginning January 1, 2011. Farmers with residences that house temporary workers will pay the farm property tax rate, which is 75 per cent lower than the residential rate. Farmers work hard to provide Ontario families with healthy, fresh food. This change will help strengthen the agricultural industry, and support the Open Ontario Plan to create jobs and opportunities that will boost the province's economy.
• Bunkhouses are dwellings on farms that house workers on a temporary or seasonal basis.
• Farm properties are assessed by Municipal Property Assessment Corporation based on farmer-to-farmer sales of farmland and are taxed at 25% of the residential rate.
Learn More
• Property Assessment and Classification Review - Farms
• Farm Property Class Tax Rate Program
• Municipal Property Assessment Corporation
McGuinty Government Clamps Down on Unfair Practices by Energy Retailers
Ontario is protecting electricity and natural gas consumers with new rules that put an end to unfair practices by some energy retailers.
The new rules will help ensure that Ontarians receive accurate information from all energy retailers before they sign contracts. http://www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/index.php?page=ecpa
Growing Forward- Business Development
If you are interested in a Growing Your Farm Profits workshop, please contact Claire Venne at 705-594-9194 or cochrane@ontariosoilcrop.org. Workshops will be scheduled based on demand.
Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Governance Workshops
The Rural Ontario Institute, in collaboration with STRIVE! is offering a number of Governance workshops during 2011. Visit www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca
Career Focus Program
At AAFC, the Career Focus Program will contribute $864,000 annually to projects that employ recent graduates in agriculture, agri-food, agri-food science and veterinary medicine. Each project will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 in matching funds. The program will help create some 80 agricultural internships for graduates across the country. Each internship may last up to 12 months. The minimum duration is four months, but internships must last long enough to provide meaningful experience to the employee. www.agr.gc.ca/careerfocus 1-866-452-5558
