Applications are now being accepted for pilot projects and demonstrations sites under the new Water Resource Adaptation and Management Initiative (WRAMI).  This research and demonstration initiative will allocate approximately $700,000 to encourage demonstration and pilot projects that showcase water conservation or efficiency equipment, technologies or tools by farm groups and organizations.

 The core objective of the 18 month long WRAMI initiative is to help Ontario farmers be better prepared for low water response, drought preparedness and to adapt their water use practices to deal with the growing impacts of climate change.

WRAMI will provide funding for demonstration and research projects that showcase innovative technologies and solutions to water conservation and water use efficiency problems within agriculture. The funding will be open to all segments of agriculture interested in water conservation/efficiency, drought preparedness and activities related to adapting to climate change.

Farm & Food Care will also be communicating the good news stories about producers who have already undertaken water conservation or efficiency projects and have a passion to share their experience with others.  These communications efforts will be promoted both within the industry and to the general public. 

A call for applications and proposals is now open until Friday February 15.  

Farm & Food Care members are encouraged to apply and to help promote these efforts to your colleagues and members. 

Applications and further information are available at this link.

To share your passion about water conservation in agriculture or discuss this project, contact Bruce Kelly, Farm & Food Care's Environmental Program Coordinator by email bruce@farmfoodcare.org  or phone (519) 837-1326.

Funding for this initiative has been provided by the federal and Ontario governments through the Agricultural Flexibility Fund, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.          

After positive response from our membership and supporters Farm & Food Care will be coordinating a pilot Breakfast on the Farm event in early June, 2013. 

A steering committee for the event has been established and we are currently looking for a dairy farm to host the event. 

The steering committee's goal is to locate the event in southwestern Ontario location,  near an urban area. 

An application and check list for those interested in hosting this type of event is available through the Farm & Food Care office.

If you are interested in more details, becoming involved in the planning of the event or hosting the pilot breakfast contact Heather Hargrave at the Farm & Food Care office at heather@farmfoodcare.org.  

Farm & Food Care wants to recognize an Ontario "Champion" who works to get the message out about agriculture.

The "Champion" Award is presented to individuals, organizations or businesses who have helped to inform the public or the agri-food industry about issues in animal agriculture.

Award winners will be honoured at the upcoming FFC annual meeting, April 3, 2013 at the Hanlon Convention Centre in Guelph.

 Nomination forms are available at: http://www.farmfoodcare.org/about-us/champion-award 

Nominations must be received at the OFAC office by March 22, 2013.

• Nominations are open to any who have taken an active role in getting the message out about agriculture. A nominated individual or group does not have to be a member of FFC to be eligible.
   
• Nominations will be accepted from all FFC members, including the FFC Board. Current board members are not eligible for nomination. Members may nominate
  more than one individual, organization or business.  
   
• A panel will select the award winner(s).