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Farm & Food Care Annual Meeting
Early bird deadline of March 27 quickly approaching
Cost: $75 prior to March 27
$100 after March 27.
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Limited space remaining in Advocates for Ag workshop
April 16, 2012
Farm & Food Care Ontario is pleased to be hosting a unique workshop for anyone interested in improving their skills in telling their stories about food and farming.
Troy and Stacy Hadrick, two of North America's most influential agricultural advocates (or agvocates) will host an interactive workshop on the evening of Monday, April 16, 2012.
In 2006, this husband and wife team from South Dakota decided that they needed to become more proactive in telling the story of farming on their fifth generation beef ranch. Their cause began as a short speech at a farm conference and has evolved to them taking on activist organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and activist/author Michael Pollan. The Hadricks challenge their audiences to look for everyday opportunities to promote and explain food and farming to non farmers. They are also the founders of Advocates for Agriculture (www.advocatesforag.com)
The workshop will feature tips on:
- How to create your own "elevator speech" - learn how to tell your story in a short, succinct way that will resonate with your audience.
- Social media (Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) - learn how the Hadricks use these tools and their thoughts on the various platforms available.
- Mapping your messages - how to quickly organize your thoughts and supporting points if you're asked to do a quick media interview or speaking engagement.
- The workshop will feature lots of opportunity for dialogue and practice.
Space is limited to the first 100 participants. The cost is $100 per approved attendee. Register by emailing info@farmfoodcare.org |
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RBC and Farm & Food Care Foundation encourage Canadian farmers to grow a greener, more sustainable future
According to a new report released March 7 by RBC and the Farm & Food Care Foundation, further investment and innovation in sustainable business practices at the farm level is critical for the future success of the Canadian agriculture industry.
"Canadian farmers have an established track record as leaders in sustainable farm management," said Andrea Bolger, head, Business Financial Services, RBC. "With continued investment in innovative technology and energy efficient equipment; farmers can capitalize on the many productivity benefits of sustainable business, while ensuring access to global markets, now and in the future"
The report entitled, Growing from Strength: Farmers enhancing productivity with sustainable innovation, provides an overview of the latest trends and technologies in the agricultural industry and how farmers can incorporate environmental considerations into strategic decision making so they can continue to provide healthy, safe and affordable food.
"We've seen a growing trend over the past 10 years in some regions among Canadian farmers making investments in environmental sustainability," said Bruce Christie, chair, Farm & Food Care Foundation. "For example, in 2010, farmers in Ontario invested more than five times the amount in environmental improvements to their farms than in 1999."
Key highlights of the report:
- Major trends driving change in the agriculture sector such as farmers' important role in feeding a growing global, urbanized population, competing land uses, consumer scrutiny and biological innovation.
- The top environmental challenges that farmers need to be aware of:
- Land productivity: Doing more with less
- Water: Protecting an essential resource
- Ecosystem services: Stewards of habitat and biodiversity
- Climate change: Adapting to uncertainty
- Bioenergy and biomaterials: Discovering market opportunities
- Case studies that showcase best-in-class examples of how farmers are responding to global environmental sustainability challenges by greening their business for enhanced productivity and reduced operating costs.
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