NFU New Farm Project Update – April 23, 2012

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NFU New Farm Project News

1. Intro to Sustainable Beekeeping Workshop

Community Bulletin Board

2. Frontenac Farmers Market is looking for more farmers

3. Special Documentary Screening: To Make A Farm

4. Now Hiring: Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market Manager 2012

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NFU New Farm Project News

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1. Intro to Sustainable Beekeeping

Where: Patchwork Gardens, 4649 Milburn Rd. Battersea

When: Sunday, April 29th

Rain Date: Sunday, May 6th

Time: 11am-2pm

Come join dedicated amateur beekeeper Claude Tardiff and learn about the practice of sustainable beekeeping with Top Bar hives. Workshop activities will include maintenance of an existing hive, starting a new hive and extracting and eating fresh honey.

Due to the limited number of protective bee jackets available, the workshop will only be open to five (5) participants (unless you happen to own your own bee jacket, in which case you can come without using one of the 5 spots – please indicate you have your own jacket when you register!). Please bring a snack, and wear long pants and closed shoes.

Please click here to register for this workshop.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

2. Frontenac Farmers Market is looking for more farmers

The Market is open now –  contact info at www.frontenacfarmersmarket.ca

3. Special Documentary Screening: To Make A Farm

DATE: Satuday, April 28th

TIMES: 4pm (discussion following screening) and 7pm (discussion preceeding screening, film at 7:30)

WHERE: The Screening Room, 120 Princess Street

COST:

$6 at the door

($1 donation going to Community Harvest Kingston with every ticket sold)

Synopsis

Starting a farm from scratch takes more than just imagination, but it’s a good place to start. Often considered a way of life from the past, today there is a movement of young people without farming backgrounds taking up this challenging profession.

To Make A Farm follows the lives of five such young people through their first seasons on the land, as the joys and disappointments of bringing life from the earth become a quiet manifesto for social change. Documentary filmmaker Steve Suderman searches his own family history in farming to wonder if the mistakes of the past can be avoided this time through.

Named one of the ten most popular Canadian films at the Vancouver International Film Festival, To Make A Farm asks: what might the future of local food and farming look like? This beautifully photographed documentary explores of the lives of five young people who have decided to become small-scale farmers. VIFF calls To Make A Farm “exceptionally hopeful, giving us a close-range view of humanity along with a detailed portrayal of the nuts and bolts of agriculture.”

4. Now Hiring: Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market Manager 2012

Note: application not open to 2012 vendors

Position Description

The Market Manager oversees market operations and vendor activities on market day. These responsibilities include space assignment, fee collection, entertainment, security, food handling, first-aid, conflict resolution and volunteer management. Reports to FMAK board.

Specific Responsibilities

  • -Maintains clean and attractive market; interprets and enforces all market rules
  • -Handles advertising, public relations and media contact as assigned by FMAK Board
  • -Coordinates (community table running) any customer prize draws
  • -Collects stall fees, delivers fees to FMAK Board Treasurer on a weekly basis / by mail
  • -Removal of Persons: The MCFM Manager (on behalf of FMAK Board) has the authority, with cause, to request any Vendor or other persons to leave the -Market operating area, and if necessary, to call the police for assistance.
  • -Problem Resolution: Vendors encouraged to approach MCFM Manager if they encounter a problem; Discussing problems in front of customers is strongly discouraged
  • -Emergencies: Maintain up-to-date First Aid training; Delegate/deliver – First Aid, contact emergency services, crowd control, First Aid, media brief.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • -Background in fruit and vegetable production and able to evaluate product quality
  • -Excellence in customer service
  • -Leadership skills in volunteer management
  • -Responsible and versatile
  • -Good decision maker
  • -Solid inter-personal skills and familiarity with conflict resolution
  • -Public relations, PR and able to handle the media
  • -First Aid (training supplied if not current)
  • -Food Handling / service (training supplied if not current)
  • -Time-management and record-keeping
  • -Able to work long hours on feet
  • -Able to work in inclement weather
  • -Able to assist with and coordinate table / tent setup etc (lift 48lbs)

Hours & Remuneration

8-10 hours/week, including 07:30-14:30 Sundays

$500 / month honorarium

Applications

Due, with cover letter, references: April 30th 2012

Submit to: FMAK Board, ℅ Tim Lyon, 126 York Street, Kingston K7K 1R2

OR by e-mail to

memorialcentremarket@gmail.com

NFP Update – Thursday March 29, 2012

NFU New Farm Project Update – March 19, 2012

Community Bulletin Board
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1. Visioning to Action Workshop: Quick and simple annual planning for your farm or farm co-op
2. FARMER-RETAILER MEET AND GREET, APRIL 3, KINGSTON
3. Fence-building Workshop with Master Fence Builder Scott Dobson.
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1. Visioning to Action Workshop: Quick and simple annual planning for your farm or farm co-op
Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 9:00am to 4:00pm  (the weather forecast is cloudy with 70% chance of rain for those who might otherwise be out in the fields!)
  • Kingston Unitarian Fellowship
  • 214 Concession St.
  • Kingston, Ontario K7K 2B5
  • (There are some possibilities for carpooling from SouthWestern Ontario and the GTA)
FREE for members of the Local Organic Food Co-op Network
$25 registration for non-members (incredible value!)
ALL workshop participants must reserve places in advance:
Visit http://lofcfarmco-optraining.eventbrite.ca/ to register – only 4 days left!
Ever feel overwhelmed with the immensity of it all?  Feel like you’re carrying around too much information and too many ideas in your head? Do you need a way to share your ideas and get the information down on paper? Doesn’t the business plan as an on-going planning tool seem overkill?
Whether you are involved in starting up or running an established farm or co-op, this workshop will provide the basics of the planning you need to handle all aspects on a monthly and annual basis. Leaving this workshop you will have a concise and efficient approach to addressing and planning the bigger picture for your farm or food co-op.
From visioning and brainstorming ideas to creating detailed budgets and schedules, workshop facilitator Harris Ivens will put the “work” back into workshop, with two hours of supported ‘planning time’ to ensure everyone leaves with a customized approach to annual planning.
Simple, yet comprehensive, FarmOrganizer tools will be the starting point for developing a customized planning approach.  FarmOrganizer worksheets are adaptable and may just serve as ideas to create your own.
The goal is to provide participants with a timely and powerful approach to planning their farms and coops in a few hours using a handful of worksheets as a minimum (there is always more planning that can be done). Multiple participants from each farm and coop are encouraged to attend.  If only one farm or co-op member is able to come, the worksheets and tailored planning approach will help guide conversations back home.
Participants will develop their own action plan for planning – a customized step-by-step process complete with worksheets for every step of the way. Extended time for introductions will be taken to discuss common challenges and solutions facing local food co-ops and farms.
A local lunch will be served.
Hosted By the Local Organic Food Co-op Network
This day of farm and co-op training is the first in a series of regional meetings and trainings in 2012 offered through the Local Organic Food Co-op Network, with the support of the Ontario Natural Food Co-op and the Canadian Co-operative Association.  The Local Organic Food Co-op Network is an association of more than 30 food and farming co-operatives contributing to a sustainable, regional, and democratically-driven food system by way of the co-operative model.
For more information, please contact Hannah Renglich at hrenglich@onfc.ca or 1-800-387-0354 ext. 240.
2. FARMER-RETAILER MEET AND GREET, APRIL 3, KINGSTON
An evening of networking with the right contacts for your business. This is an event for local farmers and retailers who are ready to do business. As a producer, you are in a position to supply small and medium sized local retailers. As a retailer, you are eager to receive local product to meet the demands of your customers.
Date: Tuesday April 3, 2012
Time: 6 – 9 pm, short presentations at 7pm
Location: Kingston City Hall, 216 Ontario Street, Memorial Hall
Registration: Required by March 30
Cost: Free
Registration and More Information:
Telephone: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Local refreshments will be served!  Hope to see you there!
3. Fence-building Workshop with Master Fence Builder Scott Dobson.

Learn how to build an unusual type of rail fence known as a sheep fence or Indian fence – one of Scott Dobson’s signature fences.
Scott will be accompanied by Eugene Fitch – a local old timer with stories to tell, and a book on fences under his belt.
This is a hands-on workshop. We will be constructing a sheep fence at fieldwork. fieldwork is an outdoor site for site-responsive public art, located in a field near Maberly. Bring gloves, lunch, a camera, and a fencing tool (if you have one, but it is not necessary). Rain or shine (unless very bad weather).
Attendance is limited, and registration is necessary so please call ahead to book a spot.
Cost: $30
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012. 10-4 pm
Where: fieldwork. 2501 Old Brooke Rd. Close to Maberly
Contact:Susie Osler – 613.268.2024. susieosler@mac.com

NFU New Farm Project Update – March 7, 2012

Community Bulletin Board
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1. National Farmers Union Region 3-Ontario Youth Meeting – March 9-10
2. Upcoming workshop: From Worms to Bookworms – March 23
3. A Note About Terra Madre
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1. National Farmers Union Region 3-Ontario Youth Meeting – March 9-10
I am contacting you to invite you to the National Farmers Union Region 3-Ontario Youth Meeting. We are inviting young farmers and youth with related interests to participate. Here is an overview of what you can expect:
  • What: NFU Ontario Youth Meeting
  • When: March 9th 7:00pm to March 10th 4:30pm
  • Where: Kingston Area
Friday Night: Mill Street Cafe – 4400 Mill Street, Sydenham, Ontario
Saturday: Women’s Institute – 252 Simmons Rd., Wilton Ontario.
Accommodations: We hope to billet out of town participants at local farms overnight Friday
The Objectives
The objectives of the Regional youth meetings this year are six-fold:
1.      Introduce and familiarize more NFU Youth to the NFU,
2.      Build NFU youth membership and participation in the region;
3.      Bring information from last year’s youth meeting to the youth of the regions;
4.      Build understanding of how the NFU works (on both a local and national level);
5.      Form strong connections amongst the NFU Youth in the region, and;
6.      Solidify the relationships between the NFU Youth and seasoned NFU members in the region.
The Schedule:
Friday Evening (7:00pm -9:00pm) Mill Street Cafe (4400 Mill Street, Sydenham, Ontario)
(Dinner is provided for participants by Mill Street cafe, owned by Pat and Rick Dawson of Desert Lake Gardens, cooked from food from their own and other small farms in the Kingston area.)
- Introductions of participants
- Introduce the NFU – its structure and purpose (including the work of the NFU internationally through the IPC and the concept of food sovereignty)
- Introduction of the NFU youth Advisory – its structure and purpose (including thoughts and lessons from last year’s national meeting)
- Evening Mixer (9:00pm Until late)
Saturday Morning (9:00am – 12:00pm) Women’s Institute – (252 Simmons Rd., Wilton, Ontario)
(Lunch and snacks provided on Saturday at the hall)
- Showcase the workings of the NFU around an issue that is pertinent to the Region.
1.      New Farm Project in the Kingston Area – Ian Stutt
2.      Agricultural Trade School Initiative
- Do a case study of a national NFU issues such as CETA, and UPOV ’91
- Youth initiatives within the NFU
Saturday Afternoon (1:00pm – 4:30pm)
Focused group discussion about NFU Youth in the region
i.        Opportunities / issues faced by young farmers
ii.        How is this connected to issues faced by farmers in general in the region/ in Canada?
iii.        What support can the NFU Youth bring to the work young farmers are already doing in our communities and beyond?
iv.        How can the “union” of the NFU be leveraged to pursue these opportunities or address these issues?
v.        Future work / communications of NFU Youth in the region (and how to connect this to the work of the NFU at a national level)
Closing
(We hope to close the sessions by 4:30pm on Saturday to give people enough time to make it home that evening.)
For further information and to inquire about participation please contact Coral Sproule Youth advisor for Region 3: queenbeetfarm@gmail.com or by phone 613-464-8945, as soon as possible. We have a limited amount of spots for participation and would love to have a broad spectrum of youth participants from the Ontario region. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy days for this,
Coral Sproule
Youth Advisory NFU Region 3
Lanark Local 310
613-464-8945
queenbeetfarm@gmail.com
2. Upcoming workshop: From Worms to Bookworms
Healthier Soils & Healthier Profits: A one-day workshop
Soil Management for Profitable Organic Production with Ruth Knight
& Bookkeeping to Grow Your Profits with David Cohlmeyer
Friday March 23 2012
Contact: Ruth Knight
organicconsultantinc@gmail.com or call 519-357-5224 to register
Location: Cherryvale Organic Farm
in Prince Edward County, 1927 County Road #10
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday March 23 2012
Lunch included
Pre-registration by March 16th 2012
$100.00+HST per person / $50.00+HST for additional farm attendee
Payable by cheque to Organic Consultant Inc.
Box 615 Wingham ON  N0G 2W0
Instructor Bios:
Ruth Knight is an independent consultant providing advisory services to a diversity of
growers who are following an ecological or certified organic program. Ruth received a
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Masters of Science from the University of
Guelph. With a focus on soil and plant nutrition Ruth guides farmers to create higher
production and quality products. Soil management is an investment and Ruth
provides interpretation to help ensure the money invested is going towards the issues
that need to be addressed and will provide the best returns. Ruth also has experience
inspecting farms and has a good working relationship with certification bodies which
provides value to growers in maintaining organic certification.
Course Outline: The basic premise of soil management for organic production is “feed the soil and the soil will
feed the plant”. Generating profitable yields of high quality fruits and vegetables requires a balance between soil
chemistry, biology and physical structure of the soil. This workshop will review soil management for organic
production and provide direction on how to use the analytical tools and interpretation to determine the most
effective fertility and crop management plan in order to produce profitable results. Various compost and mineral
amendments will be compared in terms of their cost and benefit. Different application techniques and timing will
be compared for various equipment and production setups.
The morning session will be information based with more formal presentation and the afternoon will be workshop
format with the opportunity to review case studies and individual soil tests. Participants are encouraged to
forward their soil tests to Ruth so the group can discuss the interpretation and possible resources to use as
amendments or correctives.
David Cohlmeyer founded and operated Cookstown Greens for 24 years. This
market garden supplied specialty premium quality produce for many of Ontarioʼs
critically acclaimed chefs. He was recognized as Ontario Supplier of the year in 2002
and National Supplier of the year in 2007. In 2010 he received the Governor
Generalʼs award for Stewardship and Sustainability. David is now providing
Consulting services to assist local farmers more consistently and more profitably
provide high quality produce for their markets. He is now an OMAFRA approved
Growing Forward Farm Financial Advisor who can provide Skills Development, Cost
of Production, and Business Plan advice.
Course Outline: Bookkeeping is an important resource for most aspects of farming. If you first identify the key
aspects you need to track, it need not be onerous. David will describe the important parts of a Balance Sheet,
Income Statements, Cash Flow Projections, and Costs of Production. He will then summarize how they all
relate to each other and how these are all used to create a viable Business Plan.
In the second part of the workshop he will help each participant prepare outlines for simply preparing your own
versions of these tools. Bring whatever records you now have to use a starting point. David can help you
understand and simplify the process either manually or with computer programs.
Following these recommendations will better prepare you for getting the most from whatever Growing Your Farm
Profits programs you may choose to participate in. If you are ready to proceed with Growing Forward projects,
David will be making appointments for confidential on-farm contract discussions after the workshop on Friday
afternoon and on Saturday.
3. A Note About Terra Madre
Terra Madre which is an event that celebrates eating locally. It takes place in Turin, Italy every 2 years. Up until March 31st, farmers can be recommended for participation in Terra Madre. This year the event will also be open to non-farmers for the first time. Terra Madre was started by Carlo Petrini in 2004 who also began the Slow Food movement. This year’s event will coincide with Salone del Gusto which will bring chefs from all over the world at the same time farmers are attending Terra Madre.  It should be a truly amazing event!
For more information, or to recommend a farmer, visit terramadre.org

New Farm Project Update – March 1, 2012

Community Bulletin Board
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1. A Note from the Local Food Local Chefs – re: Culinary Guide – deadline extended to this Friday!
2. Seed Sanctuary Events
3. 2012 NFU Annual Youth Meeting
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1. A Note from the Local Food Local Chefs – re: Culinary Guide – deadline extended to this Friday!
As some of you may have heard the Local Food Local Chefs initiative is producing a Culinary guide to be published April 2012.
Due to popular demand we have decided to extend our signup deadline to give Kingston producers a chance to purchase a profile. Priority will be given to producers providing a LFLC restaurant or a local food outlet with produce, this includes the Kingston Public Market. If you aren’t sure if a restaurant is a LFLC member feel free to call or email, and we would be happy to let you know.
The deadline to signup is now going to be March 2nd 2012, please find attached the sales sheet (LFLC) that should answer any other questions you have.
Have a great day and talk to you soon,
Lesley Campbell
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Downtown Kingston! B.I.A.
177 Wellington Street
Kingston, Ontario K7L 3E3
(613) 542-8677  fax: (613) 542-0274
2. Seed Sanctuary Events
SEEDY SATURDAY
Seedy Saturday
Sat. Mar. 10, 10am-3pm
Bring your saved seed to share swap. Enjoy seeds, books and presentations.
Lunch and refreshments available.
Kingston Unitarian Fellowship – 206 Concession St.
www.providence.ca/seeds
WORKSHOP
Sisters of Providence Heirloom Seed Sanctuary Workshop
Sat. Mar. 17, 2-3:30pm – Starting Seeds at Home
All are welcome, refreshments included, no fees but donations are welcome.
Heirloom Seed Sanctuary Barn, 1200 Princess St in Kingston
www.providence.ca/seeds
SPRING EQUINOX
Sisters of Providence Heirloom Seed Sanctuary
Tues. Mar. 20, 8:30am – Spring Equinox celebration
All are welcome, refreshments included, no fees but donations are welcome.
Heirloom Seed Sanctuary Barn, 1200 Princess St in Kingston
www.providence.ca/seeds
3. 2012 NFU Annual Youth Meeting
NFU youth in Ontario will gather on March 9 and 10 in the Kingston area.  For more information contact Region 3 Youth Advisor – Coral Sproule, queenbeetfarm@gmail.com or 613-464-8945.
Invitation from NFU Youth President and Youth Vice-president:
Youth are invited to the 2012 NFU Annual Youth meeting. This event is the fifth consecutive annual youth event and an excellent opportunity for youth in Ontario region to meet in person.
The weekend is composed of Friday evening and Saturday workshops, discussions, and presentations. Farm youth will be discussing issues, challenges and successes within our provincial and local levels and how they might relate on a national level. Our goal is to build our participation and capacity as NFU Youth and as members of the nation-wide young farmer movement. Each year, these meetings prove to be a supportive and  inspiring time that builds solidarity amongst young farmers across the country.
There will be three meetings held across the country: Maritimes (Region 1), Tatamagouche, NS;  Ontario (Region 3), Kingston Ont., and; Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta (Region 5, 6 and 7 respectively), Red Deer AB. Coral Sproule is the main organizers for Region 3 and can be contacted at <queenbeetfarm@gmail.com>
Please contact Coral Sproule <queenbeetfarm@gmail.com> or 613-464-8945 for more information

NFU New Farm Project Update – February 13, 2012

NFU News

1. NFU Local 316 officially publishes Plan to Grow Final Report

2. Small engine repair & tractor maintenance workshop series

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Holistic Management for Family Farms

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NFU News

1. NFU Local 316 officially publishes Plan to Grow Final Report

National Farmers Union Local 316 is pleased to present the final report of the Plan to Grow action research project, funded through our NFU New Farm Project. To read the full report, please visit: http://www.newfarmproject.ca/plan-to-grow. In this report, you will find priorities identified by a wide range of people interested in a more sustainable food and farm system in this area — farmers, processors, distributors, restaurateurs, food security advocates, and eaters. We encourage you to use this report as a starting point for conversations, goal-setting and actions aimed at developing our local food and farm economy, and we welcome feedback on the ideas included in the report. Please send any questions or comments to: info@fooddowntheroad.ca.

2. Small engine repair & tractor maintenance workshop series

Want to learn more about small engine repair and routine maintenance on your tractor or rototiller? Or how to troubleshoot a problem when something won’t start? Register now for a 3-part workshop series led by Shawn Lavender who teaches mechanics at Sydenham High School. The course has space for 12 participants max.

This workshop series will consist of three 3-hour sessions from 6-9pm on Thursday March 22, Thursday March 29, and Wednesday April 4 in the mechanics classroom at Sydenham High School (2860 Rutledge Road in Sydenham).

The workshop fee is $60 and should be paid in advance by cheque (made out to “NFU Local 316″ and mailed to NFU New Farm Project, 3430 Ida Hill Road, Inverary ON). Please contact Ian Stutt if a $30 NFP bursary would help make it possible to participate (ianstutt@newfarmproject.ca).

  • Session 1 will cover 2 and 4 stroke engines, taking them apart and re-assembling, troubleshooting, and learning how they work
  • Session 2 will cover tractor maintenance and service, and battery care & checking health
  • Session 3 can be moulded to the interested of participants after the first 2 sessions (i.e. ATV, riding lawnmower maintenance & service, etc)

Click here to register for this workshop series: http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/.

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COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Holistic Management for Family Farms

This 6 day course guides your farm team through the creation of a Holistic Goal for your farm and the tools to keep making progress toward that goal- combines social, financial and environmental considerations. Includes HM Financial Planning, Grazing, Land Management and Biological Monitering as well. Learn to make better decisions.For all types of farming. March 5,6,7, and March 26,27, 28 Location- Uxbridge, north of Toronto. Holistic Management is for all ages and stages of farmers. Cost is $1000 + HST.

Contact Fran McQuail; email mcqufarm(at)hurontel.on.ca or 519-528-2493 or go to http://www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca/holistic.html . This course is eligible for OMAFRA GYFP cost sharing.

NFU New Farm Project Update – January 12, 2012

1. Prison Farms Arrestees on Trial

Mon-Tues. Jan 16-177, 9 AM to 4 PM

Ontario Provincial Courthouse, 297 Wellington St.

Please come out at 9am to support the arrestees

All are welcome to an After Court Evening

Mon. Jan 16, 7 to 9 PM

Memorial Hall, Kingston City Hall

Speakers Include:

  • Bob Lovelace, Queen’s Indigenous Studies Prof, uranium mine activist
  • Sr. Pauline Lally, Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
  • Terry Hudson, Prison farm arrestee

Come for local food snacks, drinks, and live music at the After Court Evening.

Revist the future of the prison farms, peaceful civil disobedience, and related issues with the arrestees and others.

2. Homeopathy: Introductory Course

Date: Saturday February 11th, 10 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: Sonset Farms, 4403 Latimer Road (West of Inverary)

Lunch included, $5 donation requested to cover costs.

Instructor: Rosemary Taylor, Certified Homeopath from Ottawa

Come out to learn about:

  • Six remedies will be covered, with clear details around dosage
  • Books for follow up will be recommended

Register online at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/farming-training/ or call Ian Stutt at 613-353-622, limit of 20 participants.

NFU New Farm Project Update – January 4, 2012

NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. NFU New Farm Project Conference Bursaries
2. NFU Local 316 NFP Engineering project exploration
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Farm Start’s Training & Events Bulletin for January 2012
4. Holistic Management for Family Farms
5. Organic strawberry production workshop offers potential to berry growers.
6. Record keeping workshop makes organic certification more accessible
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NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. NFU New Farm Project Conference Bursaries
Interested in going to some of the amazing upcoming farm conferences coming up this winter? The NFU New Farm Project is happy to help you get there with a number of bursaries available for both the Guelph Organic Conference on January 26-29 (http://www.guelphorganicconf.ca/) and Eco Farm day in Cornwall on February 25 – 26 (http://www.cog.ca/ottawa/ecofarmday/ENhome.html). For more information call or email Ian Stutt at 613-353-6622 or ianstutt@gmail.com.
2. NFU Local 316 NFP Engineering project exploration
The New Farm Project has organized a meeting to explore using the academic resources available to us locally to develop unique engineering ideas that have application to local food production in small and medium size farm enterprises.  In particular we have a local engineer who has volunteered to assist us in fleshing out those ideas and directing us toward resources in the academic community.
The first meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on Thursday January 19. Meeting location will be Burt’s Greenhouses, 539 Maple Road, Odessa. If you would like to attend please contact Brian Burt; brian@burtsgh.com; 613-386-3426.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Farm Start’s Training & Events Bulletin for January 2012
Check out the online version of Farm Start’s bulletin for a ton of interesting workshop and conferences happening all around Ontario:
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=161ababe722ef78f40ab203a0&id=692def0779&e=76322fabff
4. Holistic Management for Family Farms
This 6 day course guides your farm team through the creation of a Holistic Goal for your farm and the tools to keep making progress toward that goal- combines social, financial and environmental considerations. Learn to make better decisions.For all types of operations.  January 9,10,11, and Jan 30, 31, Feb1st.  Location- Ottawa.  Holistic Management is for all types of farming and the upcoming course in Ottawa has a  number of young market gardeners registered.
March 2012 is tentatively scheduled for a Central Ontario course which will be held near Uxbridge.
Contact Fran McQuail; email mcqufarm(at)hurontel.on.ca or 519-528-2493  or go to http://www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca/holistic.html . This course is eligible for OMAFRA GYFP cost sharing. Start the New Year with better management !
5. Organic strawberry production workshop offers potential to berry growers.
December 22, 2011 (Ottawa)—Canadian Organic Growers (COG) has developed an innovative new workshop on growing organic strawberries commercially. The day long workshop is based on, and a companion to, COG’s newly released Practical Skills Handbook Growing Strawberries Organically. Two workshops are already being scheduled by COG Ottawa and COG Perth-Waterloo-Wellington for early 2012. Funding for the workshop development and delivery is thanks in part to the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI) and the Rural Association Partnership Program (RAPP) of the City of Ottawa.
The Growing Strawberries Organically workshop is developed and delivered by Rob Wallbridge of Songberry Organic Farm in Bristol, QC. Wallbridge is one of very few certified organic commercial strawberry growers in Ontario/West Quebec. Over the past eight years he has experimented with many of the growing techniques described in the book. A former organic inspector with over a decade of experience in the organic sector, from production to organic standards development, Wallbridge also served as contributing editor to COG’s Growing Strawberries Organically handbook.
“We know that the demand for local organic strawberries is there and that they command a premium price,” states Wallbridge. “We just need a lot more of them in the marketplace.”
COG’s new organic strawberry book and workshop will help farmers tap into this important niche market opportunity.
“Strawberries are available from grocery stores year-round now, but the public still gets excited at the beginning of the local strawberry season,” notes Colin Lundy, Farmer Outreach Coordinator at COG Ottawa. “As one of the first crops of the local growing season, strawberries are a symbol for the fresh seasonal local food of summer.” However, Lundy continues, “strawberries also come under scrutiny for their high level of pesticide residues, and the public is routinely encouraged to seek organic sources.”
Organic strawberry production relies on a management-intensive approach that incorporates a number of strategies designed to build and maintain soil fertility and plant health. Growers who employ these techniques experience significantly fewer pest and disease outbreaks and weed control issues. At the same time, organic growers do still have a number of tools available to deal with problems when they do occur. The Growing Strawberries Organically workshop will discuss these strategies and tools, in addition to the other management practices that are key to successful organic strawberry production.
“Through detailed discussions and a variety of hands-on exercises, participants will be able to develop a set of tools and techniques for growing organic strawberries suited to their own operation,” promises Wallbridge.
The Growing Strawberries Organically workshop will be attractive to any berry growers interested in this niche market, whether they are organic growers wanting to diversify their farm or improve the quality and quantity of their organic strawberries, or conventional growers wanting to explore organic strawberries as an option or simply to reduce their pesticide usage while still raising quality berries.
The one day Growing Strawberries Organically workshops will be delivered in Ottawa on February 11th, 2012 and in the Guelph region on a date still to be determined. Registration includes lunch and a copy of the COG publication,Growing Strawberries Organically.
For more information or to register visit the Canadian Organic Growers website www.cog.ca/shop and click “Events” or contact COG Ottawa’s or COG PWW’s respective Farmer Outreach coordinators: Colin Lundy,colin@cog.ca, 613-493-0020 and Tegan Renner, outreach@cogwaterloo.ca, 226-251-3012.
6. Record keeping workshop makes organic certification more accessible
December 19, 2011 (Ottawa)– Canadian Organic Growers chapters in Eastern Ontario – West Quebec (COG Ottawa) and Perth-Waterloo-Wellington (COG PWW) are teaming up to offer new and existing farmers training opportunities related to organic production and certification. Workshops will be offered over the winter in both Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario, thanks in part to the support of the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI).
The Record Keeping for Organic Farming workshop is based on the COG handbook Record Keeping for Organic Growers (published 2010). The workshop identifies which types of records are necessary for organic certification and helps farmers avoid keeping records that are not necessary. Workshop participants will learn different options for setting up a record keeping system for both computer savvy farmers and those that prefer to use pen and paper. There will be reviews of how to employ record keeping tools from calendars to spreadsheets, and from pocket books to smartphones.
“I repeatedly hear from farmers that one of the main barriers to transitioning to organic production is the mountains of records they need to keep,” notes Colin Lundy, Farmer Outreach Coordinator with COG Ottawa. Lundy admits that some existing organic farmers also identify record keeping as a significant farm management headache. “There does not need to be mountains of records, and records can be a useful tool without taking up all of a farmer’s time.”
Organic records prove the organic integrity of farm products throughout the production process. According to Lundy, organic farmers with a record keeping system in place can also use these records as important management tools to increase the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of their farms, as well as for other types of inspections such as animal welfare and food safety.
The Record Keeping for Organic Farming workshop is appropriate for all farmers potentially interested in organic certification, whether they are conventional farmers considering a transition to organic production or are already certified organic and looking for a way to improve this aspect of farm management. Likewise the workshop provides specific information for crop, livestock and fruit/vegetable producers.
The workshop is developed and delivered by Maureen Bostock, co-owner of Sweet Meadow Farm, a certified organic fruit and vegetable farm in Lanark County. Bostock is a trained workshop facilitator, an organic inspector, and an inspection evaluator. She also sits on the Permitted Substance List Working Group for the Canadian Organic Standards and has been appointed to the Standards Interpretation Committee by the Organic Federation of Canada. All this makes her an extremely valuable resource for farmers interested in organic agriculture.
“No one enjoys record-keeping except bookkeepers,” says Maureen with a smile. “The value in this recordkeeping course is learning to make the records work to help you farm better while at the same time satisfying the requirements of organic certification.”
The one day Recording Keeping for Organic Farming workshops will be delivered in Ottawa on January 21, 2012 and in Western Ontario on March 10, 2012. Registration includes lunch, refreshments and a copy of the COG publication, Record Keeping for Organic Growers. Discounts available for additional registrants from single farm businesses.
For more information, updates, or to register visit the Canadian Organic Growers website  www.cog.ca/shop and click “Events” or contact COG Ottawa’s or COG PWW’s respective Farmer Outreach coordinators: Colin Lundy,colin@cog.ca, 613-493-0020 and Tegan Renner, outreach@cogwaterloo.ca, 226-251-3012.

NFU New Farm Project Update – Fall Gathering 2011 Edition

1. Plan to Grow Summary now available online

2. 2nd Annual Passing on the Gift newsletter

3. Final Fall Gathering registration reminder

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1. Plan to Grow Summary now available online

The initial report of the Plan to Grow action research project has been completed and the summary report is now available at http://www.newfarmproject.ca/plan-to-grow/ . This initial summary presents the main findings of the report as well as key opportunities for action in our community. Hard copies will be available at the Fall Gathering to accompany a more in-depth presentation of the findings, which will form the basis for group discussion in the afternoon. The full version of the report, including the results of the Fall Gathering discussions will be released early in 2012.

2. 2nd Annual Passing on the Gift newsletter

The second annual Passing on the Gift update reflects the successes of the project and the farm community we support. In these newsletters we provide updates on the gifts the project has given to farmers, and gifts that have been successfully passed on, as well as gifts in progress or waiting to happen. Check it out by visiting http://www.newfarmproject.ca/passing-on-the-gift/pog-update/

3. Final Fall Gathering 2011 registration reminder

Just a final note to remind you to register ahead of time to book your spot and help us out with event planning and food preparation. At the time of this update there are only 20 spots left for the Dec. 10th event, and they are going quickly!

Online registration is quick and easy and can be done by going to http://www.newfarmproject.ca/fall-gathering/ and clicking on the “Click here to register” link. Registration will continue right to the event, space permitting.

NFU New Farm Project Update – November 8th, 2011

NFU NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. 4th ANNUAL FALL GATHERING REMINDER

2. Action Alert! Come to Ottawa, November 15, 2011

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Local Food – Making it Work – Tuesday, Nov 22, 7:15 pm

4. The Great Waterway Farmer to Chef Meet & Greet!

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NFU NEW FARM PROJECT NEWS

1. REMINDER: FALL GATHERING 2011 – Dec. 10th, 2011

Just a quick note to remind you to pre-register by Dec. 1st to book your spot and help us out with event planning and food preparation. Online registration is quick and easy and can be done by going to http://www.newfarmproject.ca/fall-gathering/ and clicking on the “Click here to register” button, or by calling Ian Stutt at 613-353-6622. Registration will continue right to the event, space permitting.

Also, if you have any promotional material (business cards, brochures, etc), please bring them to display on the networking tables that will be set up.

2. Action Alert! Come to Ottawa, November 15, 2011

Dear NFU members and friends in Ontario,

The Stephen Harper government is pushing forward with a plan to destroy the Canadian Wheat Board, and they are pushing fast. If we are to save the CWB, and if we are to save supply management, our seed regulations, and any vestige of a citizen-controlled food system inCanada, we must act quickly, effectively, and visibly.

Please, if you can, go to Ottawa on Tuesday, November 15, 10:00 AM and gather on Parliament Hill. Please call your friends and neighbours and ask them to come too. The details are as follows:

What: A farmer demonstration in support of the Canadian Wheat Board, in support of agriculture policies that put farm families first, and in support of Canadian agriculture and food systems controlled by Canadians, for the benefit of Canadians

When: Tuesday, November 15, 2011, 10:00 AM

Where: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario

The Stephen Harper government is acting illegally. Section 47.1 of the CWB Act requires that farmers must vote in favour of major changes to their wheat and barley marketer. The government is ignoring that law and refusing to hold a vote. Also, the government is ramming its legislation through parliament in record time, using closure to limit debate, refusing to let the Agriculture Committee examine the bill, and instead setting up an ad hoc committee to review the bill, but limiting that committee to just 5 minutes per section. Prime Minister Harper has announced he will “walk over” the farmer majority that support the CWB, and he has called his drive to dismantle the CWB a “train barreling down a Prairie track.” Our federal government is sneering at democracy, evading due process, and bending the law to the breaking point. If these antidemocratic tactics are not challenged, they will be repeated.

Come out, challenge this government, and take a strong stand for democracy, proper procedure, fairness, rule of law, and a Canadian agriculture policy that respects and supports farm families.

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For more information, contact:

Darrin Qualman, (Acting) Organizer, National Farmers Union: (306) 652-9465

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

3. Local Food – Making it Work – Tuesday, Nov 22, 7:15 pm

GrassRoots Growers present Cam Mather on CSA: Community Supported Agriculture

and WWOOFers: Willing Workers on Organic Farms

  • Tamworth Public Library – 1 Ottawa Street
  • Everyone welcome. No charge.
  • Followed by Free Seed Exchange and refreshments.
  • Bring along your packaged and labelled seed, bulbs, or plants for exchange.
  • Local author and organic gardening expert Cam Mather can answer your questions.
  • GrassRoots Growers is an affiliate of Tamworth/Erinsville Community Development Committee

CSA: You purchase a share of a local farmer’s harvest, ensuring the farmer a steady income and you a steady stream of produce in the growing season.

WWOOFers: The worker gets gardening experience and you get extra hands in the garden.

Details: Colleen 613-379-5959

4. The Great Waterway Farmer to Chef Meet & Greet!

Monday, November 21, 2011 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (ET)

Kingston, Ontario

The Great Waterway, in partnership with the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA) invites you to attend the 2011 Farmer to Chef Meet & Greet!

The first of its kind in the area, this event brings together farmers, producers, chefs, and artisans across the area to forge new business relationships, cement old ones, and create a better, more sustainable food system for the region.

Held in beautiful, historic Kingston, the 2011 Meet & Greet is proud to welcome Janet Campbell of Mrs. McGarrigle’s Mustard as our keynote speaker!

Let’s get together, grow our businesses, share our stories, and discover what’s on The Great Waterway’s table!

http://waterwaymeetgreet.eventbrite.com/?ref=enivtefor&invite=MTQyMDA3MC9kb3dsaW5nQGtvcy5uZXQvMA%3D%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformal&utm_term=eventpage

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