Interested in hosting a Breakfast on the Farm Event?

Applications are still open for host farms for Breakfast on the Farm in 2014.  The purpose of the event is to build awareness and appreciation for food and farming through a fun, interactive event . The inaugural Ontario event was held in June of 2013 in Waterloo Region, attracting more than 2,000 visitors to a dairy farm for an all-Ontario breakfast and farm tour. 
 

The opportunity is open to any type of farm and in all parts of Ontario.   Farms must consider all aspects of hosting such an event. They must be comfortable with allowing visitors access to many areas of their farm,  have parking for several hundred vehicles and either have a building large enough to seat about 300 for breakfast or a location suitable for a tent. Other details about hosting and a host application are available online.
 

If you would like Farm & Food Care to consider your farm as a host for a Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF), please complete the application and submit it to Farm & Food Care by February 28.
 

Questions can be directed to Sue McLarty at sue@farmfoodcare.org or by calling (519) 837-1326.

Animal care is a top priority for farmers and people who work animals. A code of conduct provides everyone on your farm or company with an understanding of company policy and values. It also acts as a reminder from owner, to management, to staff, about what is important to the daily operation of your company. A code of conduct is not a secret. It should represent your company's values and expectations of itself and its employees, and you should be ready to share it publicly on a sign or on your website.

An animal care code of conduct exists to protect the safety and welfare of workers and animals. It is your company and the employees' commitment to doing the right thing. A customizable copy can be found on the Farm & Food Care website .

Back by popular demand, two more media training sessions have been planned for March 26 or April 29. The two courses offered last spring were both sold out.

The sessions will be interactive and give the participants the understanding of the media, the tools needed to prepare to face the media and an interview process that will give each person real life interview experience. The program is useful for board members and staff at commodity associations who speak regularly about issues related to their sectors or any primary producer who is asked to give farm tours or speak on behalf of agriculture at municipal council meetings or other events.

Each session will include a focus on:

• Media tips and techniques
• Writing letters to the editor and opinion pieces
• Key messages - what are you saying, who are you saying it to and why?
• Interview/public speaking techniques
• Dealing with difficult questions
• Two to three on-camera practice sessions with review and feedback.

The cost is $400 per attendee (Farm & Food Care members receive a 25% discount) and space is limited to the first 10 participants who register. Book a spot by emailing info@farmfoodcare.org. 

Winners were recently selected in the 2013 Farm Creativity Contest.  Over 1,400 entries were received province wide.

In the grade two and under category, the winners were Rashad Hussein-Samuels of Hamilton, Angelika Layne of Weston and Susie Girard of Troy.

In the grades three to five category, Sophia Biason of Caledonia, Puneet Sandhur of Cambridge and Jaelynn Goodman of Barrie were selected as the winners.

In the grades six to eight category, the winning entries came from Avery Rimmer of Glamis and Julia Harmer and Emma Badley both from Mitchell.

In the classroom competition, three classrooms received cash prizes to go towards purchasing supplies.  The winners were Mrs. Grange's grade three class from Iroquois Junior Public School of Toronto, Miss Regehr's grade 2/3 class from Jack Callaghan Public School of Lindsay and Mrs. Arango's grade three class from Mentor College Primary Campus in Mississauga.

Farm & Food Care will be sponsoring the contest in 2014 and materials are available on the website.