Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

I will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia for most of this week attending the CFA Semi-Annual meeting.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

This week will be spent at the CFA summer meeting in Halifax.  Monday is travel.  Tuesday is committee work.  Wednesday and Thursday are the meeting days.  

On the solar microFIT issue, please keep your information coming in, and keep calling MPP's to give your opinion.  Every voice counts. Thank you for your help.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

Monday, I am touring farms in the Annapolis Valley and spending the morning with the President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

From Tuesday to Thursday I will be attending the CFA semi-annual in Halifax.

Friday, I will be attending a technical working group meeting of the Commodity Council on safety nets and back to harvest on the weekend.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

This week I will be working from home getting full swing into sweet corn harvest and trying to finish up some haying if the weather co-operates. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

On July 19th I will be in the Guelph office all day. 

I will be on a conference call with the Board at 8am to give an update on the FPT meeting and OASC lobby work.  I will also update on OFA's lobby around the price change for ground mount solar power. 

In the afternoon I will be meeting with Deputy Deb Stark in the afternoon.

On July 20th I will be working from home.

I will be on a conference call on July 21st for the ISO Advisory Committee. 

Neil Currie and I will be meeting with Isobel Dopta and Don Ziraldo at Vineland Research Center on July 22nd.

I will end the week by working from home on Jul 23rd.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

I will be on a conference call with the OFA Board on July 19th. 

Tuesday, July 20th I will be in Guelph with fellow Agriculture Adaptation Council directors for a media training exercise.

Wednesday, July 21st I will be at the Bruce County Cattlemen's Association Annual Barbeque.

Thursday, July 22nd I will be in Toronto in the evening for two energy events. The first one is for the launch of Green Power magazine. This magazine has chosen its Top 20 'Movers and Shakers' behind Ontario's Green Energy Act by Green Power Magazine.  I am honoured to be recognized as one of the individuals.

Up in Vaughn that same evening, there will be a microFIT Town Hall meeting.

Wheat harvest is definitely on hold with the rain that has hit Lambton. Sprouts are now a reality! 

Better luck to the rest of the province.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

I will be participating on an OFA Board Conference Call on July 19th and then in an OFA Budget Committee meeting for the rest of the day.

The rest of the week will be spent at home where I will get back to farming.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Monday morning I will participate in an OFA Board conference call early in the morning.

Monday afternoon will have me on another conference call with the Great Lakes Advisory Panel.

Wednesday I will be at the Grey-Dufferin Cattlemen's Community Pasture tour and in the evening will have me at an event for the Bruce County Cattlemen's.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

July 12th will be a long and busy day.

In the morning I will be attending the ACC Farmers' Financial Annual Meeting in Guelph on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

In the afternoon I have a conference call with OMAFRA regarding the provincial government's Open For Business initiative.  Over the next six months the OFA will be submitting recommendations to government on regulations that need to be changed.

In the evening I will be a panel speaker at the Green Opportunities Forum in Guelph at the Arboretum at the University of Guelph at 5:30 pm.  This will be an opportunity to share information about the many contributions agriculture makes to the "greening" of our environment, to touch on our series of Best Management Practices publications, and talk about agriculture's role in green energy and renewable fuels.

The rest of this week I am needed at the home farm.  After being away the entire previous week, and again on the weekend of July 17th and 18th, my farm responsibilities will need to be attended to.  I am available by cellphone and periodically by email.  If you would like to talk to me, I encourage you to call Wendy Beaton at the OFA office and she will get in touch with me.

July 17th I head to Cochrane to attend their summer meeting on Sunday July 18th.  

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Weather permitting this week will hopefully include some wheat harvest.

Otherwise, Tuesday July 13th I will be doing media coverage with CBC radio and CKCO TV on the OPA announcement of changing pricing on microfit programs.

Thursday, July 15th is a meeting of the Health and Wellness Committee of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Friday, July 16th I will be involved with meetings on the OPA announcement with Green Energy Act Alliance members.

Saturday, July 17th I will attend the 70th anniversary of the Simcoe Federation of Agriculture.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On Tuesday, July 13th I will be attending the Elgin Federation meeting in the evening.

Thursday, July 15th I will be attending the OFGVA board meeting in Guelph all day.

The rest of the week will be spent harvesting garlic.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

This week OFA will be continuing their support of the Committee of Concerned Abattoirs and Stand Alone Processors by helping to facilitate 3 meetings across the province for these small business owners to help to inform them of the committee's work and to listen to any concerns they may have. I have been involved with this Committee since its inception and will be attending all 3 meetings. The meetings are in the evening and will be held Monday in Woodstock, Tuesday in Elmwood and Thursday in Napanee.

The Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture has been advocating for the farming community for 70 years and on Saturday I will be joining in the celebration of this milestone at the farm of Ralph and Joyce MacKenzie in Alliston.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

The Federal/Provincial/Territorial meeting of agriculture ministers will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan this week.  

On July 5th, I will be in Saskatoon at a CFA roundtable with agriculture ministers, outlining our critical agricultural issues.  CFA has invited their member organizations, as well as other national commodity organizations to be part of this annual event.  This event has been an effective way for us to speak directly to Minister Ritz and to provincial ministers, all at the same time and in the same room.

This year we will be pushing for Minister Ritz to understand that Provinces need the Federal government to provide its 60% share to programs developed in each province to address the needs of farmers in each province.  We have referred to this concept as "AgriFlex" for the past few years - meaning flexible Business Risk Management programming to address different provincial needs.  Instead, in the last APF we got "AgriFlexibility" which excludes business risk management programming. 

Minister Mitchell has spoken to agriculture ministers in other provinces and has some support for the messages we have asked her to deliver.  Minister Ritz tells us he needs 7 or 8 provinces on side before he can implement a program.  Our message is that if as few as 4 provinces display a wish for AgriFlex then the federal government has a responsibility to investigate options.

July 6th and 7th - the FPT continues in Saskatoon.  

Don McCabe, Vice-President

On Tuesday, July 6th, I will start my week off with the Annual Meeting of the Members and Special Meeting of the Board of the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre taking place at the Sarnia-Lambton Campus of the University of Western Ontario Research Park. This initiative has a national research focus to bring new bioproducts and technologies to light with ag and forestry feedstock. 

Later in the day, I will be headed for Saskatoon to the Federal Provincial Territorial Minister's and the Deputy Ag Minister's reception.

On Wednesday, July 7th, I will be catching up with the rest of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada Board for the summer meeting in Montreal.  

The business meeting of SCCC will be on Thursday, July 8th. I will be reporting on my recent learnings from travel and conference attendance in Brazil.

Friday, July 9th, is the date for a Thames Sydenham and area Source Water Protection meeting in Strathroy.

Saturday, July 10th, I will be in Toronto at the invite of the Ontario Power Authority for their summer event.  I will appreciate the opportunity to raise biomass, connection and small scale solar issues.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On Thursday I am in Cambridge for my regular Source Water Committee meeting.

On Friday I will be in Ottawa chairing the CFA Safety Nets Committee meeting.  Reps from all provinces will be reviewing results (if any) from the fed-prov meeting on Wednesday, as well as updating where other provinces Are in developing safety net requirements

The rest of the week will be spent farming and working with the Executive on our response to OPA's totally unacceptable July 2nd announcement about rolling back prices for ground mount solar microFIT projects.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Keith has no meetings scheduled for this week.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

Monday June 28th I will be touring and meeting members in Kent County.  A detailed agenda may be available from the County.  If you are in the area and wish to meet please feel free to call MSR Gayle Bogart at 1-800-222-8172 and find out where we. 

June 29th I will be touring and meeting with members in Lambton County.  Again I say, please call and find out exactly what location we will be at any time during the day.  Members are the greatest strength of OFA.  Your input on policy and your sharing of personal experience on issues helps more than you can imagine when I am talking to Minister Mitchell and other government representatives.  If you have questions about something OFA is doing, a face-to-face conversation can provide a lot of answers.  MSR for Lambton County is Rebecca Lunn at 1-866-408-0128.

June 30th I will be in the Guelph OFA office.  I am hoping to meet in Guelph with the new Deputy Minister, Deb Stark.  That meeting has not yet been finalized.

July 1st and 2nd I will either be working from my home office or helping at the roadside market on the farm.  The July holiday weekend is usually a busy weekend for us.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

On Monday June 28th and Tuesday, June 29th, I will be attending the Agricultural Adaptation Council Board meeting in Peterborough.

I will travel to Washington, DC Tuesday afternoon to speak at the 6th National 25X'25 Summit on Wednesday, June 30 in Arlington, Virginia.   25X'25 is a national organization with a vision of setting a path for US agriculture to  "provide 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber" by 2025  I will be sharing the Canadian activities of Alberta carbon trading and Ontario's Green Energy Act. 

Thursday, July 1st will be the second day of the 25X'25 summit, and I will start my day here.  I need to get back to Alvinston to set off the fireworks to celebrate Canada Day!  Hope you all have a great day on Canada's birthday!

Mark Wales, Vice-President

Tuesday I am in Guelph for an OACC Technical Committee meeting where the Committee will be fleshing out the possible designs of an "Enhanced Agri-Invest" Program.

Then I will be in the office meeting with a Nuffield scholar from the UK who is studying "The Development of Agricultural Policy".

I will then be going to Peterborough to attend the Adaptation Council Banquet in the evening where I will be thanking the Council and the Federal Government for approving OFA"s Biomass Project.

The rest of the week will be spent wrapping up strawberry harvest and catching up on weed control.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

This week I will hopefully be able to make use of some much needed sunshine to finally get full swing into the hay harvest.

Happy Canada Day everyone!

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

On June 22nd the  OASC (Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition) will be meeting in the OFA Boardroom to discuss progress on program design and messages to Minister Mitchell for the upcoming FPT (Federal/Provincial/Territorial) meeting of Agriculture Ministers.

A National Food Strategy forum is being held at the Double Tree Plaza in Toronto on June 23rd.  Lyndon Carlson, Farm Credit Canada; Martin Gooch, George Morris Center on Value Chains; Peter Dorfman on Toronto Municipal Food Strategy; and Neil Currie on Mission and Objectives.  Attendees will include representatives from processing, retail, and input suppliers.   "The NFS, developed by the affected sectors in collaboration with government and consumers, will provide an agreed upon direction that will effectively guide appropriate food policy for years to come." (Quote from CFA's information documents)

On the morning of June 24th Minister Mitchell is hosting an industry roundtable in Guelph to discuss messages for the upcoming FPT meeting.  It is anticipated that representatives from all commodities and farm organizations are invited to participate.  That afternoon Minister Mitchell has also scheduled a meeting with OASC leaders for updates on messages to take to the FPT meeting.  OASC commodities are working to develop cost of production figures and broad program design parameters so the Minister can put forward a compelling argument for Federal support of agriculture to Provinces.

On June 25th the OFA Executive will be holding a conference call to update each other on events attended and progress on files.  We attempt to hold a conference call every couple of weeks to share information on OFA's many issues.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

I will be in Brazil participating in the AGM of CAAPAS (American Confederation of Farmers organizations toward a Sustainable Agriculture) at Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, from 21st – 22nd of June.

This will be followed by the 12th meeting of FEBRAPDP (the Brazilian Federation of No-Tillage) from June 23rd – 25th.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On Tuesday I will be attending a Technical Advisory Committee meeting at 100 stone Road for the Occupational Health and Safety Act with reps from WSIB, OMAFRA, and Ministry of Labor.

I will be attending the Pork Congress in Stratford on Wednesday.

On Thursday I will be doing a video shoot with the Ministry of the Environment on the good things that farmers are doing to help clean up Lake Simcoe.  In the afternoon I will be attending my Source Water Committee meeting in Cambridge

On Friday there is an executive conference call to update everyone on issues and events.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

On Monday I will be in Milton for an Ontario Agri-Food Education Board meeting.

Thursday, I will be attending a reception in Toronto for the Hon John Milloy with special guest the Hon Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

June 14 - Today is the final day to submit comments to the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry 010-9407 - Greenbelt Plan, Draft Performance Monitoring Framework Discussion Paper.  

On June 15th the OFA Executive Committee will be meeting in the morning; OFA Board meeting in the afternoon.  Both meetings are in Guelph.   

On June 16th the OFA Board meeting will continue.  Every Board meeting covers normal business matters as well as updates on current issues.  This month issues updates include, among other topics:  Strategic Planning, Biomass, OASC (Agriculture 2020 Consultations), National Food Strategy, Elk Damage.  There is also a presentation from George Brinkman scheduled.

On June 17th Ted Cowan, Neil Currie, Don McCabe and I are meeting with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to discuss biomass generating opportunities.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Sunday June 13th I will help honor three new inductees into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame at Milton Congratulations and a very big Thank You to the recognized individuals for their lifetime dedication to Ontario agriculture.

Monday June 14th will have me at the Ministry of Natural Resources office in Peterborough for discussion on climate change and carbon credit protocols and MNR's approach to wetlands in the ag sector.

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15th and 16th, I will be at OFA Executive and Board meetings in Guelph.

Thursday, June 17th, I will be in Toronto with Ted Cowan, Bette Jean and Neil Currie to meet with the Ontario Power Authority.  The discussion will focus on the Green Energy Act progress to date on the rural landscape. 

Friday, June 18th through Saturday, June 26th I will have an opportunity to experience the first day of winter at Iguassu Falls, Brazil..  I will be giving a talk or two to no till conferences being held over this period.  I am NOT there as an OFA representative, but issues of environmental goods and services and greenhouse gas policy (carbon credits) are global issues for all farmers, and the agenda items of the two conferences.  

Mark Wales, Vice-President

I am in Calgary from June 12th to June 15th for the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Sector Council AGM.

On Wednesday I will be attending the OFA Board meeting in Guelph and presenting the budget for 2010/2011.

Remainder of the week will be berry harvest!

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

On Monday evening I will be in Markham to do a presentation to the Ontario Equine Federation on HST and its impact to their industry.

Tuesday morning finds me in Guelph for an Executive meeting in the morning and an OFA Board meeting in the afternoon.

On Wednesday our OFA Board continues to meet in Guelph.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

June 7 & 8th I will be attending the annual meeting of the Ontario Association of Food Banks.  I am the guest speaker at the morning session on June 8th.  OFA and OAFB partnered to launch a program that encourages farmers to donate quality food that is otherwise wasted, to food banks.  In return, it is hoped the Ontario government will give participating farmers a tax break for charitable donations.  

June 7th I will also be attending, by telephone, a meeting in Guelph with members from Greenbelt counties to discuss the OFA response to the EBR positing for feedback on the Greenbelt.  Peter Jeffrey and Peter Lambrick will also be in attendance.

June 10th David Armitage, Don McCabe and I will be attending an informal "brainstorming" meeting to explore the technologies and policy enablers to support low-carbon transition in Ontario.  This meeting is another follow-up from a Discussion paper put out by the Province in June 2009.

June 11th I will be attending an Open House at Ridgetown Campus. 

Don McCable, Vice-President

Monday June 7 will have me in Toronto to meet with Ted Cowan on energy issues and a fundraiser in the evening with Ministers Monique Smith and Brad Duguid.

On Tuesday, June 8, I will be speaking at the Stewardship Network of Ontario annual meeting in Toronto on agriculture's role in biodiversity and habitat.

Wednesday, June 9, I will be in Winnipeg by invitation of Ag Canada for a climate change adaptation workshop.

Thursday June 10 is a biomass meeting at Woodstock.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On Monday I attended the OACC meeting in Guelph as the OFVGA rep.

Much of the meeting was program updates and status by Agricorp and OMAFRA reps.

Tuesday I have a Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Sector Council Executive conference call.

Otherwise trying to deal with the rain and getting ready for strawberry harvest.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Monday I will be attending the Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council Meeting in Guelph. Later in the afternoon I will be at the Ontario Equine Expo in Arkell. 

On Wednesday evening I will be in Atwood at a small abattoir information session being hosted by the Women's Institute. 

Thursday I will be in Tavistock for a committee meeting of the small abattoir group.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

May 31st I will be attending a fundraiser at Labatt House in Toronto for Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs.  

June 1st I will be attending the launch of the rural Ontario Institute in Guelph.  

June 2nd I will be attending the OABA meeting in Guelph to discuss OASC.  I will also be attending lunch at Ontario Pork’s Agricultural Lenders day event. 

June 3rd I will be at Question Period at Queen’s Park, giving a visual presence to agricultural issues.  

June 4th I will be working out of my office at home, holding an Executive Committee conference call in the morning to update on events of the past week and upcoming events for the week of June 7th. 

June 4th   I will be on a conference call with a committee to which I was recently appointed -- Canadian General Standards Board’s Canadian Advisory Committee on Food Safety standards.  Chair of this committee is Albert Chambers with whom I have worked on many food safety files over the years. 

Don McCabe, Vice-President

On Sunday, May 30 and Monday, May 31, I will be attending a Biomass for Energy conference at Queen's University in Kingston.

On the way home Monday night, I will be at a fundraiser with Minister Drombosky with guest Minister Duncan in Belleville.

Saturday, June 5, Maria Van Bommel will hold a fundraiser in Arkona that I will attend.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

Along with time spent farming – planting and caring for crops – I participated in a producer panel in Stratford on Wednesday at the Ontario Association of Farm Advisors; later was involved in a Canadian Federation of Agriculture consultation on safety nets.

Thursday I attended the monthly meeting of the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture.

Friday, I participated in the OFA’s regular executive conference call.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

Monday, I will be meeting with other Ontario Delegates to the CoOperators Insurance Group discussing the ongoing governance review efforts at CoOperators.

Tuesday , I will be on a conference call with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture Board regarding Laurent Pellerin’s resignation and later I will be attending a fundraiser for Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources.

Wednesday,  I will be attending the OnTrace Annual Board meeting in Milton.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Tuesday, May 25 will have me at a Canadian Club luncheon with Galen Westin, President of Westin Corporation (Loblaws, etc.) as the speaker to address his vision for the future of food in Canada.

Wednesday May 26 I will be participating in the national consultation for AAFC's Ag 2020 Vision in Ottawa

Thursday May 27 is an Agricultural Adaptation Council board meeting in Guelph.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

Tuesday, I will be attending the Lake Simcoe Co-ordinating Committee in Barrie.  This committee meets four times per year to oversee the government’s implementation of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales ||Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

I will be in the Guelph office on Monday.

David Armitage and I will be in Niagara on May 18th making a presentation to AAFC staff.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

On Monday, May 17 I am in Toronto for the launch of the Ontario Biodiversity Council's report "State of Ontario's Biodiversity 2010 Report". OFA is a member of the Council, and I have been part of the committee of the Council to bring this report forward. I also must acknowledge the diligence of Peter Jeffery, the OFA researcher for this area, in doing many edits, and offering many suggestions for the report.

Agriculture has a good record for stewardship, and with 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity, ag's voice needs to be heard by the media in this area. This day is an opportunity to do so with Minister Jeffrey and the rest of Queen's Park through the events of the day.
Reports will be found at the Ontario Biodiversity Council website. www.ontariobiodiversitycouncil.ca

The Canadian Academy of Engineering and the University of Western Ontario Research Park are holding a workshop on May 18 in Sarnia focused on the opportunity for Canada to become a global leader in sustainable energy development. I will be participating by invitation as OFA has been participating with the Park in various consultations around this subject. In particular, to this workshop will be the use of pipelines to move gas from pyrolysis or other methods from farm materials. This method could allow for those not able to get connections to the grid to exploit their project in a different way.

On Wednesday, May 19, the Sarnia Lambton Environmental Association will hold its annual meeting. Chris Young, a Vice President of Ontario Power Generation, in charge of the biomass work at OPG will be speaking. I look forward to talking with Chris to get and offer updates on this file from the OFA.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On Monday I will be farming.

I will be participating in federal auditor general review of 2009 tobacco quota buyout on Tuesday.

May 19th I will be Chairing a CAHRC conference call and then farming for the rest of the day.

On Thursday I will be participating in OFVGA Board meeting as Chair of Safety Nets Section.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

This week I will be enjoying the sunshine from the seat of my tractor while finishing up the spring planting.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales || Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

I will be in Guelph all week attending various meetings.

On May 12th I will be attending an OFA Executive Committee meeting in the morning and then a OFA Pension Committee meeting in the afternoon.  In the evening I will be speaking to the Men of St George Church.

I will be attending the Agriculture 2020: Challenges and Opportunities consultation on May 13th. 

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Monday May 10th will have me in Toronto for a Community Power Finance Forum being offered by the Green Energy Act Alliance.  Numerous European presenters will be showing the results of how this type of program has worked across the pond.  Additionally, some of the initial projects for Ontario will be presented.  Most importantly, Minister Duguid will bring forward remarks from the government on the progress to date.

Please note that under the Green Energy Act, Ontario farmers are considered community power providers.  This allows an Ontario farmer to receive up to 1 cent per kW more for their project under the FIT schedule.  The OFA is pleased to have this recognition from the Ontario Power Authority.

Tuesday May 11th will have the Health and Wellness committee of the Royal Winter Fair getting together by conference call to reflect on last year's work, and plan for this year's event.  Always interesting to find new ways for how today's farm can be portrayed to urban fair goers for both sides of the rural urban divide better understanding.

Wednesday, May 12th there will be an Executive Committee meeting in Guelph.

On Thursday, May 13th, I will be at an University of Ottawa workshop on climate change policy. 

Friday, May 14th in Strathroy a Source Water Protection meeting for the Thames, Sydenham and local area will be held.

So the weather forecast is good for meeting attendance, but lousy for planting.  Mother Nature has made my week's plans "clear".

Mark Wales, Vice-President

I will be attending the OFA Executive Committee meeting on May 12th in Guelph.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

On Tuesday I will be attending a small abattoir meeting in Tavistock and on Wednesday I will be in Guelph attending the OFA Executive Committee meeting.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales || Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

On May 5th I will be attending a Lou Rinaldi event at Queen’s Park.

I will be in Guelph on May 6th attending the Food Safety Research Program Forum 2010.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Wednesday, May 5th and Thursday, May 6th will find OFA Researcher Ted Cowan and I at an International Biomass Conference in Minneapolis.  Hoping to beg, borrow and acquire as many ideas, concepts and opportunities to bring back to Ontario farmers from the event as possible.

Hope both before, during and after planting goes well!

Mark Wales, Vice-President

In between trying to farm this week ...

On Tuesday I will be participating in a Safety Nets Conf Call with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

I will on a CAHRC Executive conference call on Wednesday and then attending an Elizabeth Witmer fundraiser in Kitchener that evening.

On Thursday I will be Chairing an OFVGA Safety Nets Committee meeting in Guelph in the morning and the attending a Lake Erie Source Protection Committee meeting in Cambridge in the afternoon.

I will also be attending an OAC Dinner and reception in Guelph in the evening.

On Friday I will be travelling to Eastern Ontario to plant soybeans for the weekend, hoping it does not rain.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Tuesday afternoon I will be attending a meeting with a small abattoir in Mildmay and then l later that evening I will be at the York County meeting. 

On Wednesday you will find me in Toronto attending a Stewardship Ontario meeting to address the CMHSW fertilizer fee process. Later in the evening I will be at the Peel County meeting. 

On Thursday evening I will be attending a reception with Simcoe-North MPP Garfield Dunlop. 

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales || Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

On April 26th I will in Toronto meeting with the Honourable Linda Jeffery, Minister of Natural Resources.

I will then be attending a CFA Board meeting in Ottawa on April 27th and 28th.

From April 29th to the 31st I will be in Boston to receive my FCC Rosemary Davis Award.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

This week will have me in Ottawa for the first three days with Canadian Federation of Agriculture meetings.  Monday is a committee meeting to explore carbon aggregation.  Tuesday and Wednesday are quarterly meetings of the CFA to update on all issues and plan for the future.

Thursday, April 29th, I will be in Toronto on energy issues.

Friday, April 30th is a meeting of the Thames-Sydenham and area source water protection committee in Strathroy.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

I will be attending a CFA Board meeting in Ottawa on April 27th and 28th.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

Monday I will be starting the week at an OAFE board meeting in Milton.

On Tuesday I will be in Toronto attending a Great Lakes Water Quality Advisory Panel Meeting.

On Wednesday evening I will be at a reception for Environment minister John Gerretsen.

Friday April 16th, 2010, from 10 am to 3 pm 

Victoria West Golf Course, 1159 Victoria Road South, Guelph 

    Agenda 

10:00 am      Opening Remarks   

Mark Wales, Vice‐ President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture 

10:10 am      Opportunities for Agriculture in the Carbon Market   

Dr. Claudia Wagner‐Riddle, Associate Professor,  

School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph  

10:40 am      The Regulatory Framework and the Market  

a. Latest Developments through the Western Climate Initiative & Ontario   

  John Hutchison, Senior Policy Advisor, Cap and Trade, Ministry of the Environment 

b. Canada & US Policy Status 

 Salma Jaroudi, Environmental Policy Analyst, 
             Policy Research Division, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada 

11:00 am      Key Issues for Agriculture   

Peter Sykanda, Policy Analyst, Ontario Federation of Agriculture 

11:15 am      Sector Specific Opportunities 

a. No‐till Carbon Sink Protocol   

  Don McCabe, Vice‐President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture 

b. Avoidance Protocol 

i. Alberta Dairy Protocol   

 Neil Petreny, General Manager, Can West DHI 

ii. Alberta Nitrous Oxide Reduction Protocol  

 Dr Tom Bruulsema, Northeast Director, International Plant Nutrition Institute 

c. Reduction Protocols 

iii. Bio-digester 

 Alex Rosenberg, Senior Policy Adviser, Environmental and Land Use Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 

d. Footprint Market Claims  

  Steve Sawell, Compass Environmental Inc. 

e. Emerging Opportunities…Biomass 

  Dr. John Kelly, Vice‐President Erie Innovation and Commercialization 

1:00 pm      Helping Farmers To Get Into The Carbon Market  

a. Fertilizer Cooperative Opportunity  

  Dale Cowan, Agris Co‐operative Ltd 

b. Farm Machinery Manufacturer and Distributor  

 Greg Kitching, Agra Turf Equipment Services Inc. 

c. Agricorp & Crop Insurance 

 Roger Donais, Agricorp 

1:45 pm     Cashing in on Carbon Credits  

a. Successful Case Studies from US, Saskatchewan and Alberta Aggregators   

  Charles Lalonde, CJ Agren Consulting Inc. 

2:00pm      Business Models for Ontario  

a.Ontario Based Farm Entity  

 Don McCabe, Vice‐President, Ontario federation of Agriculture 

b. Alliances with Aggregators Operating in Other Jurisdictions  

  Charles Lalonde, CJ Agren Consulting Inc. 

2:30pm      Discussion and Recommendations 

2:50pm      Next Steps 

3:00pm      Adjournment 

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales || Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President

I will be on a President’s Tour on Tuesday, April 20th in Essex County with MSR Gayle Bogart.

On April 21st I will be in Ottawa meeting with Greg Meredith, Assistant Deputy Minister of AAFC.

I will be meeting with Minister Ritz’s Parliamentary Assistant on the morning of April 22nd and then participating in the Lobby Day on Parliament Hill.

Don McCabe, Vice-President

Tuesday April 20th and the morning of the 21st will have me in Ottawa/Gatineau at a Climate Change Adaptation Workshop by invitation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Wednesday afternoon I will be at the Agricorp Board of Directors meeting to present information to them on climate change and carbon credits.

Thursday April 22 is an Agriculture Adaptation Council Board meeting in Guelph

Friday, April 23 will be an Energy Task Team meeting at the OFA office.

Mark Wales, Vice-President

On April 19th I will be on a Lake Simcoe Coordinating Committee conference call.

As part of CAHRC’s Emerging Markets Working Group I will be in Edmonton, Alberta on April 21st and 22nd attending a meeting.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive

On Tuesday I will be sitting in on the Simcoe County Ag Advisory Committee and later in the day I will be travelling to Toronto for a reception for York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro. 

The remainder of this week I will be joining the rest of the membership who are engaged in the spring planting process.

Bette Jean Crews || Don McCabe || Mark Wales || Keith Currie

Bette Jean Crews, President
 
On April 12th I will be attending the Premier’s Summit on Agri-Food in Toronto and then attending an OASC Reception for MPPs at Queen’s Park on the 13th.

I will be in Regina, Saskatchewan on April 14th and 15th attending The Co-operators AGM.

Don McCabe, Vice-President
 
On Tuesday, April 13th, I will be part of the lobby effort of OASC at Queen's Park.

Thursday, April 15th will have me at the Poultry Conference at Western Fair Grounds in London. Stop by the OFA booth for any questions, or update us from your area.

A workshop continuing the work by the OFA on carbon credit aggregation will be held in Guelph on Friday. The event is organized to update commodities on the progress to date in this area.

Mark Wales, Vice-President
 
 On April 13th I will be attending an OASC Reception for MPPs at Queen’s Park.

I will be attending the Poultry Conference at the Western Fair Grounds in London on April14^th.

 I will be in Guelph later in the week.  On April 15^th I will be at the OFVGA Board meeting and then on the 16^th I will be attending a carbon trading conference.

On Saturday the 17^th l will be attending the Garlic Growers Annual Meeting at the OMAF  building in Woodstock.

Keith Currie, OFA Executive
 
On Wednesday, April 14th I will be in Milton for an OAFE resource meeting.

Bette Jean Crews
President

On April 6th I will be attending the “Sustain our Farms” Forum in Stratford, Ontario which is being hosted by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition(OASC).

I will be in Toronto on April 7th and 8th attending OFA’s PAC and Board of Directors meetings.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On Tuesday, April 6, I will start the day in Toronto for an Ontario Biodiversity Council meeting.  In the afternoon, I will be at the Sustain Our Farms Forum in Stratford.

Wednesday, April 7, I will make a presentation in Thunder Bay at the Spring Farm Conference.  Later in the day, I will be in Toronto for the OFA board.

Thursday, April 8 is the second day of the OFA board meeting in Toronto.

Saturday, April 10 will have me at a bioenergy conference in Earlton as a presenter.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On April 5th I will be Guelph attending an OFA Budget Committee meeting.

I will be attending the “Sustain our Farms” Forum on April 6th in Stratford, Ontario.

I will be in Toronto on April 7th and 8th attending OFA’s PAC and Board of Directors meetings.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

This week finds me starting out Tuesday morning at the Ontario Agriculture Commodity Council (OACC) meeting in London. 

Tuesday afternoon I will be in Stratford attending the Sustain our Farms Forum town hall meeting being hosted by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition(OASC) at the Stratford Rotary Complex. Ontario's agriculture leaders along with over 200 farmers are expected to be in attendance.

Tuesday evening will find me in Newmarket for the York County Federation meeting.

Bette Jean Crews
President

On March 29th and 30th I will be at the Ivey School of Business Food and Health Advisory Board and Workshop.

I will be on a President’s Tour for Zone 12 on March 31st and April 1st along with At-Large Director Larry Davis.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

Monday, March 29th will have me in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for the PEI Federation Annual Meeting as their invited speaker on green energy policy in Ontario.

On the way back from PEI, I will be stopping in Ottawa as an invited speaker to an International Institute of Sustainable Development workshop on Tuesday, March 30th.   The IISD has requested that I bring forth the needs of Canadian agriculture that will need to be put forth at the ongoing climate change talks in Mexico later this fall.  This is essentially a "taking stock" and future needs measure after Copenhagen.

On Wednesday, March 31st, I will be in Chatham to discuss climate change and energy with Agris Co-operative.

April 1st will have me in Guelph to discuss energy policy at the OFA office and then April 2nd will have me at an auction sale in Ilderton.

Happy Easter!

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On Tuesday, March 30th I will be chairing a meeting of the CFA Safety Nets committee in Ottawa and that evening attending the OYF Banquet in Belleville.

 On April 1st I will be attending a Source Water meeting in Cambridge.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

On March 30th I will be attending the Great Lakes Water Quality Advisory Panel meeting.  In the evening I will be in Tavistock for a small abbatoir meeting.

On March 31st, I will be in London for a meeting with Agris Co-operative regarding alternative energy solutions. 

To end the week I will be attending the Simcoe County Federation meeting on April 1st.

Bette Jean Crews
President

On March 23rd I will be meeting with Minister Mitchell in Toronto and then head to Stratford, Ontario later that day for a Perth President’s Tour on March 24th.  

I will also be attending the Mid-Western Summit the afternoon of the 24th.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On Monday, March 22nd, I will start off at the OFA Head Office in Guelph, and then travel on to Ottawa.

Tuesday, March 23rd, will have me attending by invitation, an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada workshop on climate change adaptation with international perspectives being brought forward.  Continuing in Ottawa for Wednesday and Thursday, I will be attending the Soil Conservation Council of Canada annual meeting.  SCCC will be attending a Canadian Cattlemen's Association MP reception on Parliament Hill, inducting a new individual to the Canadian Soil Conservation Hall of Fame, and planning for future activities while reviewing the past year. 

On Friday, March 26th, will have me back in Guelph at the OMAFRA building for an Alternative Land Use Services workshop.  

I will be back in Lambton County on Saturday, March 27th.  The LFA will be conducting an MP/MPP meeting focussing on the safety needs of Ontario farmers, and the solutions provided by the OASC lobby.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On March 22nd I will be attending the OACC meeting in Guelph and then attending a LICC meeting in the Agricentre on the 23rd.

I will be at the Mid-Western Summit on March 24th.

On March 25th I will be attending an Ag Sector Council meeting and on the 26th I will be attending the ALUS Workshop at OMAFRA.

I will be attending the JFAO Banquet in Belleville on March 27th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

On March 22nd I will be working in the OFA Head Office. 

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting in Guelph on March 17th.

On March 18th I will be at an OMAFRA Food Safety meeting in Guelph and then attending the OASC leaders meeting on March 19th.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

I will join the OFA Board of Directors meeting on March 17th by conference call from Grande Prairie, Alberta. Alberta Agriculture has asked me to speak to farmers from the area on Ontario's Green Energy Act that evening, hence the need for the call to participate with the board during the day.
On March 18th I will participate in a Greenhouse Gas Protocol workshop in Edmonton before returning to Ontario.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On March 16th I will attending the Ottawa Farm Show. I will then be in Guelph for the OFA Board of Directors meeting on the 17th and the OFVGA Board meeting on the 18th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

I will be attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting in Guelph on March 17th.

Bette Jean Crews
President

Last week I attended the Hastings County Federation monthly meeting on March 4^th and was a speaker at the Kemptville College Royal dinner on March 6^th.

This week I will be attending a local official plan consultation on March 9^th and then attending the Eastern Summit on March 11^th. 

Don McCabe
Vice-President

I will be heading to London on March 7^th to attend the Growing the Margins Conference where I will be attending workshops on March 8^th and also appearing as a speaker at the Conference on March 10^th and 11^th.

 On March 12^th I will be remaining in London to attend a Source Water Protection consultation and the Western Fair Farm Show.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

I will be attending a Prescott County meeting the evening of March 8^th at Alfred College on the “Deadstock Industry in Eastern Ontario". 

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be in Toronto on Monday, March 1st attending a Co-operators meeting.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On March 1st I will be attending a Greenbelt seminar at the University of Toronto that is being presented by the Canadian Urban Institute.

I will be in Guelph on March 3rd and 4th at an Agricultural Adaptation Council meeting and ending my week in Guelph at a March 5th Source Water Protection and Ontario Agri Food Technologies meeting

Mark Wales
Vice-President

I will be traveling to Quebec City on March 1st to attend the Canadian Horticultural Council Annual General Meeting from March 2nd – 5th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be in Ottawa attending the CFA Annual meeting from February 21st to the 24th.

I will then be heading to Toronto for a meeting with Minister Mitchell on February 25th along with the OASC members.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

I will be attending the CFA Annual meeting From February 21st to the 24th in Ottawa. 

On the evening of February 24th I will be speaking at the Dundas Federation of Agriculture Annual meeting on carbon credits.   

I have also been invited to attend an Environment Canada consultation on migratory birds on February 24th and 25th in Ottawa.

I will end my week in Guelph at an AgEnergy Co-operative meeting on February 26th.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

I will be attending the CFA Annual meeting From February 21st to the 24th in Ottawa.

I will then be attending a CAHRC Board meeting in Ottawa on February 25th and 26th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

I will be attending the CFA Annual meeting From February 21st to the 24th in Ottawa.

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be in Toronto on February 17th for the OFA Board of Directors meeting and then meeting with the Minister Mitchell on February 18th.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

I will be attending a meeting with the Environment Commissioner of Ontario meeting on carbon offsets on February 16th.

On February 17th I will be in Toronto attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting.

I will be at the Farm Equipment show on the 18th and then meeting with Minister Mitchell with the OFA Executive in the afternoon.

I will be at a Source Water Protection meeting in Strathroy on February 19th.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On February 16th I will be on a CAHRC Executive conference call and then in Toronto attending an OFA Budget Committee meeting.

On February 17th I will attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting and then at a Lake Simcoe Plan Public Meeting in New Market that evening.

I will be at the Farm Equipment show on the 18th and then meeting with Minister Mitchell with the OFA Executive in the afternoon.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

On February 17th I will be attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting.

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be in Ottawa on February 1st-3rd attending the Federated Press conference Ottawa and then in Guelph on February 4th for the OFA Presidents meeting.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On January 31st I attended the Agenda Camp at the University of Western Ontario.

I will be in Windsor on February 2nd and 3rd attending an AAFC Workshop on climate change.

To finish off the week I will be in Guelph on February 4th for an OFA Presidents meeting and then attending the Cochrane Federation of Agriculture Annual meeting on February 6th.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

I will be attending the OFA Presidents meeting in Guelph on February 4th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

On February 3rd I will be attending the Species at Risk open house in Bracebridge and then travelling to Guelph to attend the OFA Presidents meeting on the 4th during the day and then attending the Simcoe County Federation meeting that same evening.

Bette Jean Crews
President

On January 25th I will be on radio station CKPC discussing the National Food Strategy and then meeting with Tim Hudak in that afternoon at Queen’s Park.

I will be heading to London for the Pre-Budget Consultation on January 26th.

On January 27th I will be in Winnipeg, Manitoba attending the Keystone Agricultural Producers Annual General Meeting and then back in Guelph on the 28th for an AgTraceability meeting at OMAFRA.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On January 25th I will be at the Lambton Egg Producers meeting making a presentation on carbon credits and then in Guelph on the 26th for a meeting with TORC.

On January 28th I will be back in Guelph for a meeting with AAC.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

I will be attending the PAC meetings this week in Orangeville on January 26th and Sudbury on the 27th.

Keith Currie
OFA Executive

Last week I attended the following meetings: 

January 18th - OAFE Board of Directors meeting in Milton

January 19th - Great Lakes Stakeholder Advisory Panel in Toronto

January 20th - OFA Board of Directors meeting in Guelph

January 21st – PAC Meeting in Woodostock

This week I will be attending the PAC meetings in Orangeville on the 26th and Sudbury on the 27th.

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be attending a number of OFA PAC meetings this week. They are as follows:

January 18th – Douro

January 19th – Kemptville

January 21st – Woodstock

I will be in Guelph on January 20th attending the OF A Board of Directors meeting.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On Monday January 18th I will be in Toronto attending a Green Energy Act Alliance meeting.

I will be attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting on January 20th in Guelph and then heading to Woodstock on January 21st for a PAC meeting.

I will be back in Guelph on January 22nd for a Biomass Task Team meeting.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

I will be attending a number of OFA PAC meetings this week. They are as follows:

January 18th – Douro

January 19th – Kemptville

January 21st – Woodstock

Also on January 21st I will be attending a Source Water meeting in Cambridge in the afternoon.

On Friday January 22nd I will be participating on an OFA Executive Conference call.

Bette Jean Crews
President

On January 11th I will be attending a CoB meeting in Guelph and then heading to Niagara for the OFVGA Banquet.

I will be back in Guelph on the 12th attending the Growing Forward consultations an on January 14th attending a meeting with the OASC leaders.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On January 11th I am a Speaker at the AALP ceremonies in Sarnia and then on the 13th I will taping with AgVision on my experience in Copenhagen.
 

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On January 11th, 12th and 13th I will be attending the OFVGA Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls. I represent the Garlic Growers Association as well as Chair the Safety Nets Section.
 
On January 13th I will be attending the Lake Erie Source Water Committee public meeting in Port Stanley from 7-9pm, and then attending the Elgin County Fed meeting from 9-11pm.

I will be attending the OASC meeting in Guelph on January 14th and on the 15th I am speaking at the Leeds and Grenville Economic Development Meeting and presenting on the Canadian  Agricultural Human Resource Council.

The first prize of a Subaru TW-650 Utility Vehicle was won by Debra Bozso of Elgin County.  A second prize of a welder/generator provided by Sommers Motor Generator Sales was won by John Szakal of Elgin County.  John Broeders of Middlesex County was the third prize winner of a portable generator also provided by Sommers.

This year, OFA’s members qualified for the draw by asking questions to the OFA Benefit Partners that were present in the Federation House.  This was a great success as members learned more about the benefits offered through their OFA membership and Benefit Partners heard from members about their interests.

“The object was for members to get six out of eight stamps on their passports to qualify and the first and second place winners actually went around and did all eight,” cited OFA field staff representative Don Burgess. “We had a great crowd and some great weather.  Our participation in the draw was amazing and I know our Benefit Partners enjoyed interacting with our members.”

 OFA’s next member benefits project is the “Member Days” from September 25 to October 8 at TSC Stores across Ontario.

Click on an image to enlarge it
		Janine Lunn, Member Service Representative of the OFA congratulates Fred & Debra Bozso on their 1st place prize of the OFA Draw held at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. They are now the proud owners of a Subaru TW-650 utility vehicle.
		John Szakal 2nd place winner of the OFA draw at the Canada's Outdoor Farm Show is being congratulated by Don Burgess MSR of the OFA and Neil Hevenor, sales for Sommers Motor Generators. John is the proud owner of a Sommers Portable Welder/Generator.
		Don Burgess MSR of the OFA congratulates Louise and John Broeders and their children Cole, and Adrianna for winning the 3rd place prize of the OFA Draw held at the Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. The Broeders are now the proud owners of a Sommers 1700 Inverter/Generator.

OFA's Member Benefit Partners who participated at the 2009 Canada's Outdoor Farm Show were:

Prizes awarded to OFA members by our benefit partners:

The purpose of the program is to help affected producers resume business operations and/or take actions to mitigate the impacts of a disaster as quickly as possible. Events which are cyclical, such as pricing cycles, or part of a long-term trend, such as a long-term downward trend in prices, are not considered for Agri-Recovery.

Agri-Recovery has the potential to accelerate the government’s response time to disaster events. In the past, governments responded to natural disasters on a case-by-case basis without a framework. This delayed the government’s response while government officials determined if assistance was possible and at what level.

The Agri-Recovery framework establishes an implementation process, program coverage guidelines, and federal/provincial cost sharing arrangements (e.g., 60:40 basis in the case of small natural disasters). The implementation process as stated in the Growing Forward framework agreement’s Annex C: Agri-Recovery is:

Implementation

Upon being made aware of a disastrous event, the Federal Minister of Agriculture and the Provincial/Territorial Ministers in the implicated area will convene a FPT task team. This team would be tasked with:

• evaluating the consistency of the event with the disaster definition;
• determining assistance available under ongoing disaster and related programming (e.g. Agri-Stability, Agri-Insurance, targeted advances, Cover Crop Protection Program, etc) and any programming gaps;
• consulting with industry representatives and disaster agency representatives (such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement) on whether further government response is needed; and
• recommending coverage options to ministers based on gaps, Agri-Recovery principles and guidelines.

Since May 2003, the OFA has taken the position that additional programming was needed to address catastrophic events such as the one experienced in the ruminant sectors when Canadian exports were embargoed.

However, the OFA is very concerned with the performance of the Agri-Recovery framework.

The OFA questions why farmers have received assistance in one province, while farmers facing similar situations in other provinces have not received comparable assistance. For example, on February 19, 2008 a news release announced support for New Brunswick beekeepers to help them rebuild their bee colonies after the serious winter losses. Why were beekeepers in other provinces, experiencing similar colony winter losses, not eligible for similar assistance?

Another example is the September 5, 2009 news release announcing support for Manitoba livestock producers who were unable to salvage their forage crops due to consistently heavy rainfalls, overland flooding and drought in different areas of Manitoba. Drought conditions are covered through the Ontario Forage Production Insurance plan. However, the Ontario plan does not offer coverage against frequent rainfall. Forage harvesting in some areas of Ontario was greatly affected in 2008 by excessive and frequent moisture leaving some Ontario farmers with no practical opportunity to harvest quality forage. Why did Manitoba producers receive assistance whereas Ontario producers in the same situation did not?

Improvements to the Agri-Recovery framework are clearly necessary. Producers facing the same situation in other provinces should have the ability to access Agri-Recovery assistance programs that are currently only available outside their provincial jurisdiction.

Who makes the Federal Minister of Agriculture and the Provincial/Territorial Ministers in the implicated area aware of a disastrous event must also be clarified. In Minister Ritz’s July 22, 2009 letter to the OFA, he stated, “As most disasters are regional in nature, assessments are normally initiated at the request of the province or provinces involved.” The OFA should be qualified to make the OMAFRA Minister aware of a disastrous event such that the Minister is directed by Section 7 of the Growing Forward framework agreement’s Annex C: Agri-Recovery.

Related Links:
• Agri-Recovery - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

The Agri-Invest Program is similar to the former NISA Program. For program years 2003 to 2006, the CAIS Program combined the stabilization assistance (formerly NISA) and disaster assistance (formerly the Ontario Farm Income Disaster Program) into one program. Mandatory withdrawals were forced from the NISA Program accounts beginning on March 31, 2004 and all remaining NISA Program accounts were closed March 31, 2009.

Under the Agri-Invest Program, producers can deposit annually up to 1.5% of their “Allowable Net Sales” into an Agri-Invest account and receive a matching government contribution. Producers can then withdrawal their Agri-Invest funds to cover an operating income shortfall or to make additional investments in their farm that might help mitigate risks or improve their farm income.

“Allowable Net Sales” are sales of eligible commodities minus purchases of eligible commodities. Eligible commodities include most primary agricultural commodities but exclude those covered under supply management.

The federal government has had some challenges in delivering the Agri-Invest program. Financial institutions are not yet in a position to open individual producer Agri-Invest accounts. As a result, governments had to waive the producer deposit requirement in order to receive matching government funds for the 2007 program year. For the 2008 program year, producer deposits will be held by the federal government.

In January 2007 the OFA Board of Director’s took the policy position:

That the suite of BRM programs available to Ontario farmers should include a Self Stabilization Program, where a farmer-owned account, funded by “Eligible Net Sales” contributions made by the farmer and the government on a 50-50 basis, would cover a portion of the farmer’s initial stabilization requirements.

This policy position was supportive of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s Canadian Farm Bill proposal for the top stabilization tier of the CAIS program to be replaced with a NISA-like program.

The OFA Board of Directors resolved in January 2008 that the maximum annual government contribution rate and caps, currently set at 1.5% of Allowable Net Sales to a maximum of $22,500, must be increased to provide a similar level of support available previously under the top stabilization tier of the CAIS program for some farm operations.

Related Links:
• Agri-Invest - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Agri-Flexibility's three key priorities are:

• Investments to help reduce the cost of production or improve environmental sustainability for the sector
Under this element proposals could, for example, aim to expand adoption of management practices and technologies that result in lasting reduction of costs of production such as reducing the usage of agricultural inputs, lowering production or agricultural processing costs; or improve environmental performance such as sustainable water resources for agricultural use or accelerating the use of agricultural biomass for bio-energy.

• Investments in value-chain innovation and sectoral adaptation
Under this element proposals could, for example aim to enhance integration of the value chain, bringing added value to producers for products, or to develop innovative, value added products that enhance competitiveness and create growth markets for primary agriculture increasing the availability of high-quality Canadian-made agri-food and bio-products domestically and internationally. Another example could be proposals that enable proactive adaptation to changing market conditions that result in viable businesses.

• Investments to address emerging opportunities and challenges for the sector
Under this element proposals could, for example seek to maintain global competitiveness, expand or recapture markets for Canadian food and agricultural products or address emerging opportunities or challenges through enabling technologies, research and development capacity of the sector, traceability, biosecurity and assurance systems or consumer education.

Initiatives undertaken by Agri-Flexibility will either be one-time investments for a specific purpose, or multi-year initiatives, delivered and administered similar to a stand-alone program. Both approaches may be funded by one of three methods:

• solely federally funded;
• cost-shared at a 60:40 ratio with participating provinces or territories; or
• cost-shared with sector groups, either in partnership with the federal government, or jointly with the federal government and one or more provinces or territories on a 60:40 basis.

The OFA maintains that provincial BRM programs should be eligible for funding under the Agri-Flexibility program.

The original Agri-Flex program proposal was developed by industry. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture announced the Agri-Flex proposal on June 20th, 2008. The proposal was to have a cost-shared funding envelope to fund complementary BRM and non-BRM programming to more effectively target specific gaps.

Unique provincial programming is not a new concept. Prior to the APF, unique provincial programs had been called “companion programs” and were funded by both federal and provincial governments. Under the APF, there was some “wedge funding” approved to operate those “companion programs”.

The OFA has been a strong advocate for BRM programs designed specifically for Ontario’s agricultural sector. The RMP for Ontario grain and oilseed producers is one example of a program that effectively addresses gaps in the current national BRM suite.

Related Links:
• Agri-Flexibility - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

To view the Audio and Video highlights of the 2009 OFA Convention, please visit the following link - www.webcastcanada.ca/ofa/convention/

Bette Jean Crews
President

On November 2nd I attended the Zone 12 meeting in Ivanhoe and it was well attended by members from Northumberland and Hastings County Federations. Neil Currie, Mark Wales, Don McCabe also attended. Follow-up comments from members present expressed an appreciation of the availability of OFA staff and executive to answer questions and give detailed updates on issues.

I am the Chair of the Co-operators Group Ontario Region and attended the meeting in Toronto on November 5th. Updates were provided on Co-operators Group financials as well as future plans. OFA is a founding member of Co-operators Insurance and has two Directors on that Board - Terry Otto and Jack Wilkinson.

I attended the opening of the RAWF on November 6th and sat beside Minister Dombrowsky at the opening ceremonies; handed banners to Prince Charles that he presented to the Queens Quineas Champions. I also had an opportunity to introduce myself and thank him on behalf of Ontario's farmers for his participation in the RAWF. My walk through the fair provided an opportunity to speak to a number of OFA members and visit at various booths and demonstrations. OFA had good profile at the RAWF this year with our video playing in the main ring four times a day and many other OFA visuals throughout the fair.

I will be in Guelph on November 9th attending a session at OAC where Minister Blackburn, Canada's Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State for Agriculture, is conducting a Dialogue Tour focusing on the challenges faced by young farmers across Canada at OAC. OFA Director Joe Dickenson will also be attending the 9am session. Minister Blackburn requested that young farmers currently farming full time be invited to the student roundtable discussion. Paul DeJong and Wayne Black will therefore be attending that session. During our meeting later in the morning that includes other farm leaders, Joe Dickenson and I will present the OFA Report on Young and Beginning Farmers to Minister Blackburn.

On November 10th I will be meeting with Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) at their office in Peterborough. Peter Jeffrey and I will attend. This meeting was set up for the purpose of building a working relationship between the two organizations so we can coordinate messages on common issues such as trespass. OFA recently reaffirmed its’ position on the gun registry and supported the OFAH stand on dissolution of the gun registry. I also anticipate that discussions will cover the coyote problem and the elk problem. Elk were reintroduced to Ontario some years ago with a plan to introduce a hunt when the herd numbered 250. The herd now is 500 - 600 elk but no hunt has been introduced and the over population of elk are causing serious harm to farm crops. MNR very recently posted a "Good Government" bill that included legislation that would permit removal and control of nuisance elk. Because elk are an endangered species, they cannot currently be controlled as deer can if damaging farm crops. This bill will enable farmers to get permits from local MNR offices when elk are a serious danger to crops. MNR is also working on a Cervid Management Strategy which is likely to introduce a controlled hunt in 2011 or 2012. OFAH has come out strongly against the nuisance removal permit system, preferring to wait to control the elk with a hunting season. It is OFA's position that farmers suffering sever damage need access to control measures now.

Later in the day on November 10th I will be attending a fundraiser for John Wilkinson in Stratford that evening as the guest of Egg Farmers of Ontario.

On November 11th Wendy Beaton and myself will be attending a dinner at the RAWF in the evening. I plan to get to the fair earlier in the day to again meet with members and give an OFA presence at some of the booths.

I will be back in Guelph on November 12th for a meeting at the OFA office in the morning with Jason Bent and Agricorp regarding design and delivery of programs. In the afternoon I will be in a meeting with the Executive Committee in the OFA Guelph office.

To conclude my week on November 13th I will be participating in a roundtable discussion at the RAWF with Andrea Lyon, a newly appointed AAFC Associate Deputy Minister. Discussion will focus on environmental issues and solutions

Mark Wales
Vice-President

During the past few weeks I have attended many meetings.

On October19th I attended the CFA Board meeting in Niagara.

I head to Caledonia on October 20th where I was the keynote speaker for Careers in Agriculture Day. Also on October 20th and 21st I participated in the NA/EU Summit in Niagara Falls.

On October 22nd I attended the OFA Executive Committee meeting.

I attended the PAC meeting in Guelph on October 27th and the OFA Board of Directors meeting on the 28th in Guelph.

On October 30th I attended the Wellington County Annual General Meeting and Banquet in Fergus.

I attended the Central Summit in Ivanhoe on November 2nd and then drove to Ottawa to attend the Canadian Ag Human Resource Sector Council Board meeting on November 3rd and 4th.

On November 5th I attended the Lake Erie Source Water meeting in Cambridge and then manned the booth for Garlic at the Royal Winter Fair on November 6th. While at the RAWF I had the opportunity to chat with the Duchess of Cornwall about Garlic and local food.

This week I will be attending the Western Summit on November 10th.

On November 11th I will be at the OFVGA Board meeting in Guelph. I chair the Safety Nets Committee. Then in the evening I will be attending the Elgin Federation of Agriculture Board meeting in St Thomas.

I will be attending the OFA Executive meeting in Guelph on November 12th and then attending the Oxford Federation of Agriculture Board meeting in Woodstock in the evening.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On November 10 I will be attending the Southwest Summit.

On November 12 I will be attending an OFA Executive meeting in Guelph.

To conclude the week I will be attending the Gala night at the Niagara North Federation of Agriculture in St. Catherine's on November 14th.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

 On November 2nd I will be attending the  Central Summit in Ivanhoe.

On November 3rd you will find me at the Species at Risk meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources and then heading to a St. Lawrence Seaway meeting regarding transportation of biomass on the Great Lakes on November 4th.

I will be in Toronto on November 5th meeting with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure to discuss the biomass policy.

November 6th will be a busy day as I will be attending the RAWF as well as a meeting with the Solar Industry Association of Canada.  I will also be heading to Ottawa to appear before the Standing Committee of Environment on the Climate Change Accountability Act.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On November 3rd at 7:30 a.m., I will be attending a breakfast meeting organized by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute at the Parliamentary Restaurant.  The meeting is to look at "Key factors determining the cost of fertilizer for Canadian farmers".  MP's, Senators and farm leaders have been invited.  The event is sponsored by Sarnia-Lambton MP, Patricia Davidson.
 
I will be attending the November 4th Norfolk Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting.

On November 5th I will be attending The Co-operator's Regional Committee Meeting during the day and then a Tim Hudak fundraiser in the evening. 

Bette Jean Crews
President

 On October 27th I will attending OFA’s Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting at the Holiday Inn in Guelph and then OFA’s Board of Directors meeting on the 28th.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

This coming week I will be attending the PAC meeting in Guelph on October 27th.

This meeting will see discussion on Business Risk Management (BRM) programming.  This is very timely as part of the government's BRM Strategic Review, Canada's federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture have directed government staff to identify:

- potential objectives and principles for future BRM program;
- roles and responsibilities of industry and governments in managing risk; and
- the range of possible program design options.
 
Review and decisions on these matters as related to BRM will take place in early 2010.
 
On October 28th I will be attending the OFA Board of Directors meeting. 

The agenda includes:  Co-operator's update, ONTrace, resolutions, HST update, FBR update, non-BRM programming, Membership survey results, industry coalition update, etc.
 
To finish up the week I will be attending Perth County Federation of Agriculture's Annual General Meeting on October 29th.

Bette Jean Crews
President

I will be attending a number of meetings this week.

I begin the week in Niagara Falls on October 18th attending the CFA Executive meeting and then from the 19th – 21st I am attending the North American - European Union Conference.

I will then be heading to Guelph for October 22nd for the OFA Executive Committee meeting for the morning and then Better Farming’s 10th Anniversary Celebration in the afternoon.

On October 23rd I will be at the Northumberland Regional meeting.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On October 14th and 15th I attended the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum in Ottawa.  It is a forum hosted once per year by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the government department who oversees fertilizer and like products.

There were about 70-80 people were in attendance from Canada and a few from the USA.  Most are representing companies who produce miconutrients, wetting agents, and other specialty products for crop production.  I was one of 3 primary producers in the audience.  I represented CFA.  Agenda topics included:  International Regulatory Trends, Nanotechnologies, Registration Process for Dual Property Products, Economics of Fertilizer, Working Group Updates (Rhizobial Supplements Efficacy, Micronutrient Fertilizers, Slow and Controlled Release), Priority Projects and Service Delivery, Interagency Initiatives b/w CFIA and PMRA, Biosolids Update.
 
On October 19th – 21st I will be at the North American - European Union Conference, which is being held in Niagara Falls.  Topics for discussion:  Review of Agricultural Policy Developments, Assessment of Current Trade Policy and its Future Direction - WTO and Bilateral/Regional Agreements, Seeking Price Security in Volatile Markets, Marketing Systems and Cooperatives and the Role of the Farmer in the Value Chain, Climate Change - Farm Impacts and Farm Solutions.
 
The evening of October 21st I will be attending the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture Annual General Meeting.
 
On October 22nd I will be attending the OFA Executive meeting and then a reception for Better Faming in the afternoon, as it is their 10th Anniversary.  In the evening I will attending the Harvest Gala hosted by OFAC and then attending the OFAC Board of Directors meeting the next day.

Click on an image to enlarge it
    

Communiqué

October 19, 2009

Attn: OFA Stakeholders

I am very pleased to inform you that our proposed FBR fee increase (to $195) has now been posted on the Regulatory Registry.  This is to enable a brief public comment period prior to its final consideration and approval.  It is important that the registry receive numerous comments in favour of the fee change to demonstrate broad support.

The link below provides access to the registry – you can file comments on line (click on a link at the bottom of the registry page) or by sending written comments to Barry Sinclair at the address provided on the page.  The comment period ends November 2nd, so please file soon and encourage fellow members to do so as well.  Thanks for your support.


Neil Currie
General Manager

The posting on the Regulatory Registry is http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/view.do?postingId=2162&language=en

Bette Jean Crews
President

This week I will be speaking at several regional meetings.

On October 14th I will be speaking at Prince Edward County; October 16th at Grey/Bruce and on October 17 I will be at Hastings.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On October 14th and 15th I will be at the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum (CFPF) in Ottawa as CFA's representative.  CFPF will be the host on the Wednesday and CFIA will be the host on Thursday.

Bette Jean Crews
President

 On October 6th I will be attending a meeting in Guelph with Ontario Pork, Ontario Cattlemen's Association, Ontario Veal and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association.  I will then be attending Renfrew's Regional meeting that evening.

I will be speaking at the Victoria Haliburton Regional meeting on October 7th and then at  Lanark's Regional meeting on October 8th.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On October 7 the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture will be holding an information session on wind turbines.  The guest speaker will be OFA Researcher Ted Cowan.  Lots of questions.  About 6 turbine companies have tried to secure leases with farmers along Lake Erie, in the county.

The rest of the week I will be farming, updating the herd's fresh-due-dry-born list and GST. 

Bette Jean Crews
President

On September 29th I will be in the Toronto OFA Office attending an Executive meeting and then speaking at the University of Toronto Political Science class on September 30th.

I will be at the Eastern Summit on October 1st and then I will be in Guelph on October 2nd attending a Biomass Group meeting.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

 I will be attending the OFA Executive meeting in the Toronto Office on September 29th and then in Eastern Ontario on October 1st attending the Eastern Summit.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

 I will be attending the OFA Executive meeting in the Toronto Office on September 29th and then in Eastern Ontario on October 1st attending the Eastern Summit. 

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On September 29th I will be attending the OFA Executive meeting in the Toronto OFA Office.

On October 1st I will be attending the Eastern Summit, held at Kemptville College and in the evening I will be a speaker at the Simcoe Federation of Agriculture's Annual General Meeting.

On October 3rd I will be "manning" the booth for HFA at the Caledonia Fair in the a.m. 

Date/Time: Monday November 23 commencing at 8:15 am

Location: Doubletree by Hilton – Toronto Airport
Convention Theme: “Food, Power & Opportunity”
Registration Times: 4:30pm – 8:30pm Sunday November 22 and starting at 7:30am on Monday November 23

Click here for draft agenda

Highlights:

Sunday November 22  

• Resolution Workshop: 6:30pm – 8:00pm (Plaza Ballrooms ABC)
• Opening Reception & Exhibitor Showcase: 8:00pm – 10:00pm (Plaza Foyer)
• Silent Auction Opens (proceeds to benefit the OAFB - Ontario Association of Food Banks)
• Food Donation Drive at registration desk to benefit OAFB

Monday November 23

• Election of OFA Director-at-large, two Vice President’s and President
• Speaker: Hon. Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture Food & Rural Affairs (tentative)
• Silent Auction Closes 5:00pm
• 10^th Annual Ontario Harvest Celebration: 7:00pm

 

 

 

"Right from the start, the OFA impressed me with their efficient, professional manner - an approach that not only inspired confidence, but generated the results I was looking for. I needed an immediate solution to an issue of obtaining clarification for a grant condition required by OMAFRA.
By partnering with OFA, I was able to wade through the chaotic system of our government and obtain my report from the Ministry in a timely fashion.   Had it not been for the OFA, my farm would have lost this grant opportunity.  From their helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly staff, my experience with OFA confirms to me that I have partnered with true leaders in assisting the farmers in Ontario."
Susanne Friedl, Brantford (January 2010)
 

“It was the friendliest IPM we have ever attended!”
Wayne and Nancy Wilken, Elmwood (September 2009)
 

OFA Prize Winners from 2009 International Plowing Match in Temiskaming
Nancy and Wayne Wilken, Elmwood		Catherine and ClareKuepfer, Dobbinton

"We chose this travel medical insurance because it was recommended by OFA.  We had a hard time to settle the original claim.  We mentioned OFA affiliation and that we would involve the OFA if the claim cannot be settled.  We felt we were in the right and our family doctor agreed and so did the OFA.  In the end, our claim was settled.  Many thanks to the OFA for their assistance."
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Verburg, Kent County (July 2009)
 

“I just can’t say enough good things about how helpful Curtis was.”
M. Phillips, Grey County (March 2009)
 

"In the spring we had a fence dispute and called our OFA Member Service Representative to let him know what was happening.  He offered to help us in any way he could.  He wrote a letter on our behalf and forwarded it to the appropriate people and was able to help us resolve the conflict favorably.  He did more than I expected and was very supportive all the way.   I was very pleased with the way OFA stepped forward."
Harold, Ottawa

"I volunteered to lobby at a rally at Parliament Hill in Ottawa and I was very pleased to work along side the other members of the OFA.  There was a lot of interest and effort shown by lobbyist and I enjoyed the interaction within the group.  It was a good experience."
John Miller, Lanark County
 

If you would like to submit your own OFA Member Testimonial, please send an e-mail to info@ofa.on.ca.  Please include "OFA Member Testimonial" in the subject line of your e-mail and be sure to include your OFA member number and a phone number in your e-mail.  A representative from OFA's Member Relations Group will call you to confirm the details of your OFA Member Testimonial. 

Bette Jean Crews
President

This week I will be attending the opening day of the International Plowing Match on September 22nd and on September 24th I will be speaking at the Lennox and Addington Annual General Meeting.

Don McCabe
Vice-President

On September 18th I attended the “Buy Local Share Local” event that was hosted by the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

Through September 24th – 26th you will find me at the International Plowing Match at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture booth.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On September 17th I attended the Oxford County Federation of Agriculture meeting and then head to St. Catharines on September 18th where I was invited to attend the “Buy Local Share Local” event that was hosted by the Ontario Association of Food Banks.

I will also be at the International Plowing Match on September 25th and 26th.

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

I will be at the International Plowing Match on September 22nd – 24th at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture booth.

TSC Stores Moonlight Madness is back!

Thursday, November 26 to Thursday, December 3
Open Late Thursday, November 26 until 11pm

Join in the madness at your local TSC Store for 15% off All Regular Priced Items (some exceptions apply)
All Day Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 only

PLUS, check out the timed specials full of incredible offers:

• Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
• Thursday & Friday only
• Friday only

And All Week specials!

Look for your TSC Stores Moonlight Madness flyer for full details, or visit their website at www.tscstores.com!

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

On August 31st I attended the OFAC board meeting.  This time it was held at the CNE in Toronto.  It allowed all of the directors to see the FarmzOnWheelz display.  Much time and effort has gone into the creation of the display, which is geared to the age range for teenagers.  It was discovered that there is a lot of ag. awareness info available for children and adults, leaving the teenagers out of the mix.

FarmzOnWheelz has a functioning biodigester, an interactive calorie counting "Game", etc.  Very interesting.

On September 2nd  I attended the Norfolk Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting and on the 9th I will be attending Haldimand Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting.

I will be attending an ALUS field trip on September 10th.  We will be touring 4 farms which have done work to be eligible for ALUS funding.  Should be fun.

In the evening I will be joining the Brant Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting by speakerphone.  Thanks to Larry Davis who ensures that all is connected at their end.

AND we are STILL haying.  Third cut - powerful stuff!  The girls love it.

Bette Jean Crews
President

 The week of  August  10th was a busy week.  On the 10th I attended an  OFA Executive in Guelph and later that afternoon CFFO President Henry Stevens and I were invited to sit in on a meeting between Ontario Pork and beginning pork farmers reps in Guelph.

On August 11th and 12th I attended the Canadian Cattlemen's meeting in Regina.  It offered an opportunity to speak to Minister Ritz as well as discussions with OCA, CCA and CCIA on cattle industry issues and traceability issues.

I spoke at the Peterborough Federation's BBQ on August 16th.  They were celebrating their 70th anniversary.  OFA Director Bruce Webster also spoke to the crowd.  Awards of recognition were handed out to past PFA Presidents, Secretaries and Directors.

On August 17th I participated on a morning conference call with Zone 12 Directors and PAC members to offer more details on the OFA Budget discussions.

On the same day I took part in an OnTrace tour in the Leamington area.  It included a tour of Cedarline Greenhouses and Mastronardi Produce to experience traceability systems at both locations.  Lunch at Louis Roesch Meats and More offered another opportunity to view and discuss traceabiltiy issues for the sector.  I then attended an On-Trace Board meeting on August 18th in Point Pelee where Deputy Minister Zegarac was also in attendance.

On August 19th I was very honoured to open the Hastings County Plowing Match and Farm show.  Time on the grounds and in the Hastings County Federation tent provided an opportunity to talk to members and potential OFA members.   In the evening I attended the Kent Federation of Agriculture Regional meeting at Louis Roesch's near Leamington and had an opportunity to update members on OFA activities and discuss operations under the new Board structure format.

David Armitage and I met with local small abattoirs through a meeting arranged by Louis Roesch on August 20th.  The meeting was to address the Regulatory and inspection burdens faced by small abattoirs.

On August 21st I spent the morning with Barry Wilson of the Western Producer, toured my own farm, and discussed the agricultural industry, OFA policies, and my role as President.

I attended Minister Leona Dombrowsky's summer BBQ in Tweed on August 23rd.  Don McCabe and Wendy Omvlee were also in attendance.  Discussions touched on the crisis in the Pork, Beef and Horticulture sectors as well as the Risk Management Program for G&O and similar programs for other commodities.

On August 24th I will be heading to Toronto to the Doubletree Hotel for the Policy Advisory Committee meeting on the 25th and the OFA Board of Directors and Executive meeting on the 26th.   I hope to be there early enough to be available for conversations with others who arrive early.

I will end my week in Guelph as I will be attending a RMP meeting with OMAFRA on August 28th.

A glimpse into the week of August 31st will find me at the Northumberland Grain customer appreciation day, Northumberland County on September 3rd.  

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

 On August 11th I attended an Executive meeting in the afternoon and then attended a Meet and Greet for Tim Hudak in the evening.

I attended a Haldimand Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting on August 12th and then joined the Brant County Federation of Agriculture Board of Directors meeting by speaker phone on August 13th.

On August 16th I attended the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement's annual meeting.  It was held at Barry and Cheryl Hill's Farm in Ohsweken.  The weather was perfect.  There were native dancers on hand and the food was great.  It was also nice to catch up with people after a busy summer.  OSCIA celebrated their 70th anniversary - congratulations!  As you know OSCIA and OFA have had a long term relationship.  OSCIA looks after the implementation of the EFP and OFA looks after the funding of the various programs associated with it.

On August 22nd I "manned" the HFA booth at the Dunnville Fair in the morning.  The spin the wheel; and answer an agriculture related question continues to draw the children to the booth.  One little boy must have played at least 10 times.  Good thing you built it heavy duty Bruce Armstrong!  A great time was had by all.

On August 23rd I attended Minister Dombrowsky's Annual Community Corn Roast in her hometown of Tweed.

On August 25th and 26th I will be attending in Toronto attending the PAC meeting and the OFA Board of Directors meeting.

Description:  New Idea  4844 4x4 round baler with monitor.  Only 2,450 bales done.  Always stored inside.  New condition.  Pictures are available upon request.

Location:  Alfred, Ontario
(Prescott County)

Location:  Alfred, Ontario
(Prescott County)

Please visit www.ontario.ca/foodsafety to learn about:

-funding programs available such as the new Food Safety and Traceability Initiative

-the Advantage Good Agricultural Practices food safety program

-food safety for the agriculture sector

-traceability in the agri-food industry;

For questions on the content posted in this web area, please email advantage@ontario.ca or call OMAFRA's toll-free food safety and traceability help line at 1-866-641-3663.

Bette Jean Crews
President

 The week of July 28th I attended the CFA Semi-Annual meeting in Kelowna, BC.

On August 2nd I attended the Peterborough County Cattlemen’s Association BBQ and on August 3rd I attended the Prescott Federation of Agriculture meeting in Alfred.

I will be travelling to the Toronto OFA office on August 5th to attend Pension Governance Committee meeting.

Mark Wales
Vice-President

On July 14th I attended the Elgin Federation monthly meeting and then I headed to Guelph on July 15th for the OFA Executive meeting.

On July 16th I attended that Halton Federation of Agriculture Social and met with Lisa Raitt, MP and Federal MNR Minister.  We discussed Product of Canada, Pork Crisis, cost of production crisis and the challenges of current farm programs.

July 18th I participated in the Elgin Federation waste oil recycling day.

During the week of July 21st I was on a conference call with AAFC regarding Agri-Flexibility program details and on July 23rd attended a meeting in Vineland.

The week of July 27th I will be at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s Semi-Annual meeting in Kelowna, B.C.

As an Ag Rep I will be attending the monthly Source Water Committee meeting in Port Stanley on August 6th and on August 8th and 9th I will be at the Garlic Festival in Perth, Ontario. 

Wendy Omvlee
Executive Committee Member

This coming week I hope to be haying.  The weather has been very wet lately - to the point where some farmers are making tracks in their fields.  Wheat is coming off in the Haldimand area.  Mixed results in quality.  Some sprouting and discoloration.
 
Last week Peter J. and I attended the private natural gas well meeting, hosted by the Private Natural Gas Well Association.  MNR, TSSA, OFA, Landowner Rep. were in attendance.
Most of the inspections on private gas wells by TSSA are done in a complaint driven manner, or an accident occurred.

TSSA reps. offered to put together a 1 or 2 page safety fact sheet.  What their role is, what to watch for in regards to private gas wells, etc.  Very positive, informative meeting.
 
Last Friday I also met with Toby Barrett, PC Environment Critic, and his right hand woman, Bobbi Ann.  During our hour long meeting we discussed HST, private gas wells, value added/value retention/the need for a definition of farming, Green Energy Act - wind turbines, solar panels.  Pork sector problems. 
Very good meeting.
 
Also, attended the HFA BBQ, hosted by Wayne Nyomtato, HFA President.  Weather was a big topic of the evening, as many of our directors have livestock and have been trying to make hay.   Toby Barrett, MPP Haldimand-Norfolk, Dianne Finley, MP Haldimand-Norfolk and Marie Trainer, Mayor for Haldimand County were also in attendance.   Lots of food and drink - a good time had by all.

Location:  
Near Mansfield, ON

Image:

Image:

Description:  Quiet. Paints. Tallest 44 inches high. 3 mares - 4, 11, and 14 years old.
Very good with small children. 1 filly. 1 colt.

Location:  
Magnetos - Province wide
Farm equipment repairs - Woodstock area.