News/Events - October 2014
21
2014
FCC Ag Knowledge Exchange Double Header
What You Should Know Before You Buy or Rent Farmland
Acquiring farmland is a complicated decision. You’ll get answers to common questions and be confident you’re getting the right land the right way, at the right time and for the right reasons.
Benefits of attending:
- discover whether you should buy or rent
- learn about the different costs of owning and renting
- understand financing options and how interest rates affect payments
- gain insight into the tax implications of buying farmland
- identify practical considerations that will impact your decision
- understand why it matters whose name you put on the title
How to Increase Profits Without Increasing Farm Size
Today's moderate-sized farms can be very profitable. Land and quota are big investments, so finding ways to add profitability to your existing production base becomes increasingly important.
Benefits of attending
- understand how cost of production relates to profitability
- explore strategies for optimizing yield
- gain insight into cost control options
- discover the benefits of different farm structures
- learn how family dynamics can impact efficiency
- explore examples of agricultural activities that can add profit
Lunch is being served.
When: Wednesday December 3, 2014 | 10:00am - 3:30pm
Where: Black Diamond Golf Club | 705 Pontypool Rd. Pontypool, ON
Click here for more information
08
2014
Ecological Farmers of Ontario Conference 2014
Join Us As We Celebrate 35 Great Years with the EFAO!
December 4th - 6th YMCA Geneva Park Orillia, ON
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, Farms at Work has joined forces with partners FarmStart, Everdale, and the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security to launch the first annual EFAO conference!
As supporting partners, we here at FAW have been hard at work developing informative, intermediate-level sessions for the Livestock Stream of workshops, featuring such topics as:
06
2014
Province Launches Community Food Program Donation Tax Credit
Farmers Eligible for 25% Tax Credit for Donations Made to Community Food Programs
As part of the Local Food Act, 2013, the provincial government has officially launched its new Community Food Program Donation Tax Credit, the first tax incentive of its kind in Canada.
Farmers and farm businesses that donate agricultural products (i.e. fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products) to eligible community food programs will now be eligible for a tax credit of 25 per cent of the fair market value of the donated product. The credit can be claimed for donations made on or after January 1, 2014. If you would like more information on what agricultural products and food programs are eligible, you can read the FAQ prepared by the Ministry of Finance or the final regulation.
In response to the launch of this new program, our friends over at Sustain Ontario are hosting a free webinar with OMAF Senior Policy Advsior, Ziyaad Vahed on October 23rd from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Ziyaad will speak about the new tax incentive program and will be joined by some Sustain Ontario members and allies who will engage in a thoughtful conversation about what kind of impact this new policy will have on Ontario’s food systems. Click here to register for the webinar.
06
2014
On-Farm Food Safety Webinars
OSCIA Food Safety Webinar Series to Kick Off Soon
Our friends over at the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association are gearing up to launch their six-part series of On-Farm Food Safety webinars, set to start this Thursday, October 9th.
If you are looking to keep up to do on the latest in food safety practices, including assessment of your operation to identify areas of high food safety risks, then you are invited to join any or all of the webinars listed below:
- October 9: Pest Control, Building Maintenance and Visitors
- October 16: Recall and Traceability
- October 30: Cleaning and Sanitizing
- November 13: Pre- and Post-Harvest Water
- November 27: Soil Amendments
- January 2015 (exact date TBD): Worker Practices
Each webinar will include fullsome discussions about on-farm food safety risks and the good agricultural practices (GAPs) that can be used to mitigate those risks. Growing Forward 2 funding opportunities are also discussed, including how to assess your operation and work towards a food safety action plan.
All workshops are offered as free webinars online, taken from the comfort of your home or business. All you need is an Internet connection and phone. If you are interested in participating, please visit the registration page.
For more information contact: foodsafety@ontariosoilcrop.org | 1-800-265-9751.
06
2014
Ontario-Wide Farm Invention Challenge
Cash Prizes Available for On-Farm Tinkerers, Menders and Modifiers
Our friends over at Farm & Food Care Ontario have just announced an exciting new contest for all you on-farm MacGyvers out there!
FFC is launching the province-wide Farm Invention Challenge, with $9,000 in cash prizes available for winning entries in the categories of animal care and water efficiency and quality.
Farm & Food Care will profile winning entries as part of their commitment to doing the right thing in animal care and the environment. The Farm Invention Challenge will help share creative ideas and methods that farmers are using on their farms every day.
For full contest details, visit the Farm & Food Care website.