ISSUE 2016-03 | March 01, 2016
March 2016 E-News
IN THIS ISSUE
SAVE THE DATE
Real Dirt on Farming Speakers' Bureau training workshops
 
Soil Health Roadshow:
 
Farm & Food Care Ontario AGM and Conference
Teatro Conference and Event Centre, Milton
April 12 - 13, 2016
 
Canadian Centre for Food Integrity Launch
Delta Hotel, Ottawa May 31 - June 1, 2016
FIND US ONLINE
Ag Ambassador Tip
of the Month
Make sure you reinforce a key message in your presentations. When talking to students, for instance, consider what ideas will stick with them, and what they will tell their parents when at home.
NEW ON OUR WEBSITE
IMPACT Online Modules: 
Animal Codes of Practice

Farm & Food Care Ontario's Innovative Management and Practical Animal Care Training (IMPACT) program is offering free online training modules on the care and handling of sheep, goats, pigs and cattle.

Based on the nationally developed Codes of Practice, these FREE online modules cover a range of subjects - including transportation, dehorning and general husbandry practices - and are available via the IMPACT website. 
2016 Annual Conference and Speakers' Program ~ April 13, 2016
Digging Into Dinner ~ Perspectives on Food and Farming

You are invited to attend the Farm & Food Care Ontario Annual Conference and Speaker Program. This year's meeting focuses on understanding non-farming perspectives and how to proactively work with them. Highlights include:


  • Talking to a concerned public about genetic engineering: Dr. Kevin Folta ~ Chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida. (Sponsored by the Tracey Firth Memorial Fund) 


  • First World Problems: Andy Vance ~ Feedstuffs, Agricultural Marketing, Advertising and Perception Specialist.


 

  • What consumers know, what they don't know and why it matters: Dr. Mike Von Massow ~ Associate Professor, College of Business and Economics, University of Guelph.

 


 The chef, the dietitian and the locavore - a panel discussion on perspectives related to food and farming: Speakers include Carol Harrison, Registered Dietitian, Toronto; Jackie Fraser, Frabert's Fresh Food, Fergus; Chef Brad Watt, Rare Grill House, Peterborough. 


 

Plus highlights of Farm & Food Care's 2015 activities; presentation of the Farm & Food Care Champion award; Farm & Food Care Canada report and more.


Cost: $65 early bird registration; $80 after April 1. 
Location: Teatro Conference and Event Centre ~121 Chrisholm Drive #2, Milton


Farm & Food Care welcomes support from other organizations. Click here for sponsorship information.
Barn Fires ~ training and prevention resources
Farm & Food Care Ontario has been involved with the issue of barn fires for over a decade, developing resources and helping equip both farmers and first responders with the skills necessary to deal with hazardous situations. 

The organization continues to pursue initiatives that improve fire prevention and response. 

Tips to reduce the risk of fire and associated losses:
  • Review your farm's fire prevention plan. 
  • Get to know your volunteer fire department or the fire prevention officer.
  • Talk to your insurance company about inspections. 
  • Talk to your electrician about your electrical system. 
Farm & Food Care Ontario houses a library of resources at www.LivestockWelfare.com for livestock farmers and first responders. It includes fact sheets on barn fires involving livestock, as well as a five-part video series specifically for first responders. 

The website also contains resources for producers on dealing with the aftermath of livestock barn fires, highlighting options for animal relocation and marketing unaffected animals.
Media training workshop ~ April 20
Farm & Food Care Ontario will be offering a media training session in Guelph on April 20. The day-long, interactive session will give participants a better 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 grower who is asked to give farm tours or speak on behalf of agriculture at municipal council meetings or other events. 
 
The cost is $400 (less 25% for Farm & Food Care members). To register, email info@farmfoodcare.org.
Soil Health Roadshow ~ Southwestern Ontario, March 1 to 10
Click image for further information
Farm & Food Care Ontario is hosting a series of soil health workshops in southwestern Ontario. These workshops are free, and focus on improving soil and nutrient management in the Great Lakes region. 
 
Space is still available for the following sessions: 
Breakfast on the Farm: Oxford County
Breakfast on the Farm is coming to Oxford County on
 Saturday June 11. 

As always, Farm & Food Care Ontario is looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in helping plan the event can contact sue@farmfoodcare.org.
Speakers' Bureau Presentation Skills workshop series
Four Real Dirt on Farming Speakers' Bureau workshops have been planned for the winter of 2016. 
Space is limited to the first 25 participants. The $50 cost includes lunch and all workshop materials.
 
To register, click on the links above. 
FARM & FOOD CARE CANADA NEWS
Canadian Centre for Food Integrity ~ Public Trust Summit
Social license, public trust, and transparency are hot topics.  People make things happen and the first step to success in a unified effort for the Canadian food system is to get to know stakeholders from across the value chain.

The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity Public Trust Summit, an initiative brought to you by Farm & Food Care Canada, will offer a unique opportunity for food system leaders to gather and delve into current issues related to public trust in food and farming - both globally and here at home in Canada. How can we work together as leaders to build public trust, address current issues, and seize the opportunities ahead of us?

Read more here.

Bruce Christie to be inducted into Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame 
Bruce Christie, Chairman of Farm & Food Care Canada and board member for Farm & Food Care Ontario, will be inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame on June 12.

Throughout his career with Shur-Gain, Bruce Christie continually championed responsible animal care through best management practices. Most recently he worked tirelessly to build public trust in food and farming through his leadership with Farm & Food Care.

Christie was nominated by Farm & Food Care and Nutreco Canada Inc., Shur-Gain.
**********
If you've misplaced a copy of the newsletter or want to check an item from a past issue, they're all archived on our website under the Media Centre section.

We encourage you to forward this newsletter to other members of your company or organization who might be interested. They can also subscribe directly by emailing info@farmfoodcare.org.

100 Stone Road West, Suite 202
Guelph, ON
N1G 5L3
519-837-1326
www.farmfoodcare.org
Twitter: @farmfoodcare
Email: info@farmfoodcare.org
© Farm Food Care Ontario
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest