A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
SHEEP INFRASTRUCTURE WORKSHOP
Two-day course which is repeated three times per year at varying locations across Ontario, the next offering is at Mount Forest on Nov. 29-30. The program is ideal for people of all backgrounds in the planning cycle for building large, commercial-scale infrastructure as part of an expansion plan in their sheep enterprise. Participants will be sent home with some good ideas and the need to examine more options before committing themselves on any capital project.
The Workshop includes stops at several commercial-sized operations that are using some of the concepts covered, and also some that are choosing not to use the featured concepts. This will allow participants to mix and match what portions of the workshop will best suit their needs for their facilities and make informed decisions on expansion. This training opportunity is eligible for cost-share funding through the Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses program. For more information, check the website at: Sheep Infrastructure Workshop. To register call: 1-877-424-1300 or email: ag.info.omafra@ontrio.ca.
HARVEST ONTARIO FOR LOCAL
Harvest Ontario is the largest and most comprehensive source for local including on-farm markets, pick-your-own, farmers’ markets, farm gate honey producers, local meats, wineries, craft brewers, fairs and much more. We are proud to be working directly with Ontario Farm Fresh and Farmers’ Markets Ontario. Try our Harvest Ontario Digital Edition – If you didn’t get a chance to pick up a copy of our famous print guide, now you can browse through our NEW digital edition. Flip through the pages, print off your favourites, search and follow links to your local attractions. Go to www.harvestontario.com and click on the image of Harvest Ontario and start browsing. Add Harvest Ontario as a friend on Facebook – www.facebook.com/harvestontario. Follow Harvest Ontario on Twitter as well at www.twitter.com/harvestontario. Promote your farm-gate attraction for free. Free you say? That’s 100% correct. Get a free listing to promote your farm-gate business at: Harvest Ontario. They also offer a Premium listing at an economical price with numerous features that will attract more customers.
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
by John C. Benham
We have just completed another Environmental Farm Plan workshop with a good turnout. At the present time the next EFP workshop has not been scheduled, but I expect later in January. To sign up call John at 519-846-3394 or email: wellington@ontariosoilcrop.org or go online at: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
GROWING YOUR FARM PROFITS
by John C. Benham
On Jan. 12 the next two day Growing Your Farm Profits workshop is planned to be held in the OMAFRA meeting room at 9:30 a.m. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The workshop will be completed on Jan. 19. At the workshop you will acquire the tools needed to complete a self assessment of your farm business.
You will: Review current farm management practices, systems, knowledge and skills
• Understand how planning provides the framework for effective decision making.
• Prioritize future goals for the farm business.
• Identify resources that can help meet those goals.
• Build on the farm business strengths
• Create an Action Plan with the help of the workshop leader, to improve farm management skills and knowledge.
You will not be asked to share personal or financial information. To sign up, call John Benham at 519-846-3394 or check the website at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
COMING EVENTS:
Nov. 29 Wellington County Farm Safety Christmas Supper meeting at Husky Farm Equipment, Alma at 8:00 p.m. sharp. For more information, call Walter Grose at 519-846-5329.
Nov. 30 Forage Focus Seminar, Shakespeare Centre, Shakespeare. Key note speaker: Michael C. Rankin of the Univ. of Winsconsin. To register: phone 1-877-892-8663 (payment by Visa or Mastercard).
Nov. 30 Equipment Consignment Sale at EPAC – for information, call Auction Manager, Noah Gingrich at the EPAC office: 519-669-3884.
Dec. 1 Waterloo Federation of Agriculture, monthly board meeting at the Wilmot Recreation Complex. For information contact secretary, Richard Cressman at 519-662-2790.
