News, Events & Updates
Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) Flint Corn Seed-Saving & Education Project
Farms at Work is excited to announce an important seed-saving project in partnership with local youth education organization TRACKS, and Haudenosaunee grower Ieiérhes Karolyn Givogue Grant. Together, we are caring for a variety of Indigenous corn seeds that are approximately 20 years old and are from varieties predating GMOs. The aim of the project is to grow this seed to preserve its genetics, as well as engage Indigenous youth participating in the TRACKS program in a community garden project. The TRACKS youth will learn about the three sisters (corn, beans, and squash), about pollination of the three plants, and will participate in traditional celebrations related to the growing and harvesting of corn.
Support for this project is provided by The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, a project of USC Canada delivered in partnership with Seeds of Diversity Canada and supported by The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the Trent University Experimental Farm for their support in providing the land for this project.
Thank You Ontario Trillium Foundation!
This past Saturday, FAW welcomed Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal, as well as Dr. Ramesh Makhija, an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) volunteer, and Selwyn Township Mayor, Mary Smith, to Rocky Lane Farm to learn about our achievements, and to formally recognize and thank OTF for their generous support over the last three years.
In 2012, FAW received a three-year, $192,300 grant to develop innovative programs that would help to revitalize rural agricultural communities in east central Ontario. While at the farm on Saturday, MPP Leal, Dr. Makhija, and Mayor Smith had the chance to learn more about FAWs Mentorship Programs, a core component of our OTF grant.
Pollinator Habitat on Farms Tour
Sept 2nd | Peterborough County | Bring your own lunch
Join us for a tour showcasing two local farms that have created and maintained pollinator habitat as part of their farming systems. The day will culminate in a new pollinator habitat planting project on Leahy Stock Farm, near Lakefield. Participants will receive copies of A Landowner’s Guide to Conserving Native Pollinators in Ontario, and a Bumble Bee ID Guide. Pre-registration is required.
For more information, contact: info@farmsatwork.ca
Maple Syrup Mentorship Filling Up Quickly
But there are still a few spots left!
The newest addition to our roster of hands-on educational programs, the Maple Syrup Production Mentorship is designed to provide novice producers with the skills and experience they need to get started with success. Led by well-established maple producers Marc & Diane Curle, field days are set to run from October 2015 to April 2016 in Northumberland County. Designed with beginners in mind, field days will focus on a wide variety of topics, including: maple bush and woodlot management; types of production facilities and equipment; proven methods of production, including maple syrup and other value-added maple products; networking and industry exposure on a trip to an OMSPA Info Day; and the economics and marketing of maple products in Ontario.
If you're looking to add an enterprise to your farm business and would like to learn the ropes of maple production under two experienced mentors, then click here to learn more.
Excitement Builds as OAFVC Opening Approaches
Producers who attended this week's tour of the new Ontario Agri-Food Venture Centre were given a first-hand glimpse into the nearly limitless possibilities for value-added production soon to be available in east central Ontario. Thanks to the efforts of the Regional Local Food Business Rention and Expansion project (a collaboration of 9 jurisdictions across eastern Ontario), farmers and local food entrepreneurs will soon have access to shared infrastructure designed to help grow their businesses.
Good Things Grow!
SPCA Certified Program Ontario Launch Party
When: 11:00am - 1:30pm, Friday June 5, 2015
Where: Harley Farms, 1630 Heritage Line, Keene
RSVP: Please confirm attendance before June 1
Join the BC SPCA's CEO, Craig Daniell, and SPCA Certified program manager, Brandy Street, at Harley Farms in Keene to celebrate the launch of SPCA Certified in Ontario!
SARFIP Updates
SARFIP 2015 is open to all agricultural landowners in the province, offering tiered funding to provide enhanced support. Improved farm management projects that support SAR are eligible for up to 50% cost-share to a maximum of $5,000. High impact projects that provide direct support to SAR are eligible for 60% cost-share up to $10,000. High Impact project applicants interested in participating in SAR Watch, an advanced engagement and monitoring endeavour, are eligible for 80% cost-share up to $20,000.
Click here for full program details and eligibility requirements.
Ontario Expanding Eligibility for Agricultural Insurance Program
Earlier this week, Ontario passed the Agriculture Insurance Act, 2014, which will allow more types of agricultural products to be covered by the province's production insurance program.
Production insurance is part of a suite of business risk management programs designed to help farmers manage losses due to events beyond their control, such as weather, pests and disease. While production insurance is currently available for almost 90 commercially grown crops in Ontario, including grains, oilseeds and certain fruits and vegetables, the new legislation will expand eligibility for the production insurance program for more agricultural products.
Local Food Week June 1 - 7, 2015
Ontario’s second annual Local Food Week is June 1-7, 2015! This is our opportunity to celebrate the amazing food and beverages made, grown or harvested right here in Ontario. There are already so many great things that individuals and organizations do every day to celebrate local food and beverages. The goal of Local Food Week is to share these ideas with each other and inspire even more celebrations.
Here are some quick tips on how YOU can participate in this year’s Local Food Week celebrations, June 1-7, and all year long:
- Social media: Include #loveONTfood in all your tweets, Instagrams, Facebook posts, and other social media sharing; Join a Twitter party on June 3rd at 8:00 p.m.
- Websites & ads: If you have a website, blog or advertising options, visit www.loveONTfood.ca to download and include a local food celebration button so your readers can easily find everything they need to know about Local Food.
- Barbecues & dinners: Host a local food celebration barbecue encouraging others to do the same, all the while enjoying delicious Ontario food, wine and beer.
- Signs & posters: Do you or anyone you know have a road sign or counter space to display a local food week sign? Proudly tell those driving by or visiting to “Celebrate local food! www.loveONTfood.ca” by including the website or hashtag.
- Talk to food partners: Speak with your favourite local restaurant, market, butcher or grocery store and encourage them to join the local food celebration.
- Talk with friends & family: Let your book club, school group, friends and family know its Local Food Week and share loveONTfood.ca with them in person, by email, facebook or text.
- Spread the word: Pass this tip sheet on to others you know who are passionate about local food.
- Your ideas here…think creative and fun: Share what you did or plan to do to celebrate local food with us too by email at info@farmfoodcare.org or tweeting it including #loveONTFood