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: 8:30am to 5:00pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA Website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
Ministry of Environment has a Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence
The 2012 Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence is honouring outstanding local efforts to protect the Great Lakes.
Nominate yourself, a friend, community member, business or organization to celebrate outstanding environmental efforts.
The Minister’s Award recognizes environmental achievement, leadership and innovation by Ontario companies, organizations, communities and individuals.
Examples include:
• Environmental achievement through community or
stakeholder involvement or collaboration
• Education, outreach and behaviour change approaches
• Leadership, innovation or early adoption of new
technology, practices or demonstrations
Applicants must demonstrate how their activities benefit the environment or foster environmental behaviour change. The 2012 awards focus on protecting the Great Lakes. Applications will be accepted until July 16, 2012.
For application criteria and to check out the 2011 winners, visit the web page at: www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/about/EnvironmentalExcellence/index.htm.
NEW YOUNG FARM LOANS FOR CANADA
Young and beginning farmers will find it easier to start and grow their farm businesses with the help of a new $500 million loan program, introduced by the federal government and FCC.
This new loan offers qualified producers who are under 40 years of age loans of up to $500,000 to purchase or improve farmland and buildings. Producers between the ages of 18 and 39 make up approximately 16% of Canadian producers, according to the 2006 Census. The FCC Young Farmer Loan includes features and options that address this demographic, and support their long-term success. These include:
– variable rates at prime plus 0.5% and special fixed rates
– no loan processing fees
The Young Farmer Loan enhances FCC’s suite of existing products and services that support young producers, such as the FCC Transition Loan, FCC Business Planning Award, FCC Learning events and publications, FCC
Go Ag! events, and FCC Management Software for both accounting and field management. The program is being welcomed by farm groups. For more information on the FCC Young Farmer Loan, visit: www.fcc.ca/youngfarmerloan.
Growing Your Farm Profits
by John C. Benham
The next Growing Your Farm Profits two-day workshop is planned for Monday, Aug. 20 and Monday, Aug. 27 at Everdale Farms, 5812 6th Line Erin from 9:30am to 3:00pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided at no cost.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to look at your farm business management and come up with a plan to make improvements with financial assistance from the Cost Share program.
For more information, call Liz at 519-638-3268 or sign up electronically at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops/.
DIAMOND JUBILEE FUNDING
In 2012, Canada marks the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Canada. Canadians will celebrate and honour the Queen’s 60 years of service and dedication to this country, as well as Canadian achievements during that period.
To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, the Department of Canadian Heritage is making available funding for community celebrations in honour of the Queen’s 60-year reign, her service, and her dedication to this country. The second funding cycle for Diamond Jubilee Community Celebrations has been launched. This cycle covers activities that will take place between Sept. 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. Check the website: http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1315852578931/1323095956513.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ASSOCIATION HEAT STRESS CARD
Check this link for information to the OHSA Heat Stress Card: http://www.ohcow.on.ca/menuweb/hhrplan.pdf.
COMING EVENTS:
June 19 – On-Farm Food Safety Workshop, 9am at the Ridgetown Campus Agronomy Building. For information, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300.
June 19 and 20 Ontario Pork Congress. Mark your calendar; check website: http://www.porkcongress.on.ca/.
June 24 – Local Food Fest – A celebration of local food and copies of the 2012 local food map available at Ignatius Jesuit Centre with children’s area, workshops and more. Visit the website at: www.guelphwellingtonlocalfood.ca.
July 4 – Wellington Soil and Crop Summer Meeting – the Wellington County Association is sponsoring a meeting at Clovermead Farms (Bruce Whale), 7600 Wellington Rd. 8, RR #2, Alma. This on farm meeting will begin at 7pm. No pre-registration is required.
July 4 – National Farmers Union Waterloo-Wellington Local, monthly board meeting at 7:15pm at the Husky Farm Equipment, Alma. (They meet every first Wednesday of the month).
July 4 and 5 – SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Day, Univ. of Guelph, Ridgetown, 8:15am. Check the website: http://www.diagnosticdays.ca/.
July 12 – FarmSmart Expo, University of Guelph, Elora Research Station, Elora.
Watch for details at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/.
