Welcome to the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture's Electronic Newsletter.  Our goal is to provide information to members in a timely and efficient manner.  Please pass this information along to other Industry Stakeholders.           

 

September 25, 2015

E 25 and Counting
25 days until the Federal election and still not much discussion on the agriculture issues. The polls indicate that its still close to a 3 way tie which makes it important for us as a farm community to take any opportunity to get the ag message out. Since it is a national election many of the issues we can bring forward are national in scope, such as workforce, risk management programs and broadband internet. Election information can be found on the  NSFA website .
Ag Leaders Debate
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture will be hosting a National Agriculture Leaders Debate in the lead up to the October 19 election. The debate will highlight issues facing Canadian famers and give an opportunity for each party to outline its platform positions as they pertain to Canada's farm and food future.
 
WHEN:  Wednesday, September 30, noon to 2 p.m. (Atlantic) 
 
WHO:
  • Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Hon. Gerry Ritz
  • Malcolm Allen, NDP Agriculture Critic, TBC
  • Mark Eyking, Liberal Agriculture Critic
  • Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader, Green Party
  • Bloq Québécois, representative TBC
WHERE: Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel (the Laurier Room), Ottawa

The webcast of the debate can be found here
Buyer Beware - Aggressive Sales Calls for Health and Safety Requirements
We have recently received calls from farmers that have received aggressive and misleading sales calls on workplace health and safety requirements. In particular calls from SM Canada who are claiming to work for government and are selling first aid supplies. They are making recommendations on first aid kit requirements and selling kits for over $100 - kits actually cost under $30. This is a scam! There are also reports of calls from other private providers for WHMIS training, safety poster requirements, online first aid training and many others. Please beware of these calls!
 
If you have any questions about your health and safety requirements or to purchase first aid supplies please contact Farm Safety Nova Scotia at info@farmsafetyns.ca  or (902)893-2293.

WCB Business Information Event - Yarmouth
Industry Safety Associations have partnered with the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) and Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) to host a business information event at the Rodd Grand Yarmouth:
 
Tuesday, October 6, 2015 - 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 - 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
Join us to learn about programs and services that can help your small or medium business be successful. Do you have questions about injury prevention, safety training or return-to-work management? We'll have answers!
 
Over two days - October 6 and 7 - representatives from industry safety associations, the WCB and LAE will be available to answer your questions and help you identify resources to manage health and safety in your workplace. There will also be scheduled presentations on specific topics. For more information on the event visit www.farmsafetyns.ca/news.

Tractor Operator Safety Course
Farm Safety Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that we have partnered with Extended Learning of Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture to offer Tractor Operator Safety Training to participants of all ages in numerous locations across the province. This course will be available at discounted rates to registered farms and 4-H members.
 
This course is designed to increase awareness and test competency of tractor operators with regards to safe operation and use of farm tractors and implements. Participants must have a valid Nova Scotia Class 5 or 8 driver's license.
 
Date and Location: November 21-22 - Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Bible Hill
 
For more information or to register visit Extended Learning's website. 

Climate Data Information

A report was presented this week  on Climate Data information that was collected over the past 3 years. The day started with a brainstorming session looking for ideas of possible projects that could come out of the 3 years of data or future data collection. The afternoon was a public presentation of the information collected and some interpretation of the data from David Colville of the Applied Geomatics Research Group at  NSCC and John Lewis of Perennia.

 

A summary of the report can be found at the south shore CBDC site http://southshoreopportunities.com/

 

Workplace Education Courses for Fall (Starting Soon - don't delay in registering)
HR Essentials - Middleton 
The NSFA and Dept of Labour & Advanced Education are offering the following HR Course.
By completing the curriculum and the associated in-class and at-home exercises, the program participants will be able to:
  • Hire and lead a suitable team
  • Maintain appropriate employee records
  • Ensure fairness in the workplace
  • Conduct unbiased employee reviews
  • Develop a method of compensation
  • Provide critiques of performance
  • Control difficult conversations
This course will take place at the Middleton NSCC Campus on Thursdays from 8:30 - 12:30 starting on October 15 and running for 10 weeks.
To register, call the NSFA at 893-2293 or email smackenzie@nsfa-fane.ca 
Financial Management with Intro to Sage 50
The following course is being planned for this fall in Weymouth.
 
Below is a brief outline of topics that could be covered:
  1. The Basics and Definitions
  2.  Bookkeeping versus Accounting
  3.  Understanding Financial Statements
  4.  Legal Requirements- Canadian Small Businesses (Agriculture and Agri-food focus)
  5. Taxation requirements- Canadian Small Businesses (Agriculture and Agri-food focus)
  6. Introduction to Sage 50 Accounting: Capability, Set-up steps, Demonstration
  7. Microsoft Excel as a management tool: Overview and demonstration
  8. Knowing how expenses behave
  9. Improving Profit
  10. Pricing
  11. Creating a value-added product
  12. Analyzing your financial results
  13. Raising Capital and Obtaining financing
  14. Business Planning
  15. Business Valuation/Succession Planning/Exiting a business
The final list will depend upon the requirements of participants.
This course will start on October 14  and run each Wednesday until December 16 at the Weymouth Library from 1 - 5 p.m.
To register, call the NSFA at 893-2293 or email smackenzie@nsfa-fane.ca 

Financial Management for your Farm Business - now starting October 6
Financial Essentials Bootcamp: This 40 hour Boot Camp will provide you with practical information you need to improve your financial success and reduce your risk. You will gain a better understanding of how to analyze farm financial statements as well as ratios and tools to then utilize the information in making better management decisions. This boot camp may cover issues ranging from common terms, lease or buy, product pre-launch considerations, go-to-market strategies, pricing, and other options.

This course will take place on Tuesday evenings from 5 - 9 p.m. starting on October 6  and to be held at the South Shore Library, 135 North Park St., Bridgewater.
If you would like to register for this worthwhile opportunity for your farm business, please call Shelly MacKenzie at 893-2293 or email smackenzie@nsfa-fane.ca
Where We've Been
September 22 - OEA Board Meeting (Henry)
September 23 - Southwest Climate Data Study (Henry)
September 24 - Farmer for a Day (Maxine)
September 24 - Workers Compensation Board Meeting (Henry)
Dates to Remember
Programs
Upcoming Courses
Surveys
Current Electronic Newsletters
Job Postings
Current agricultural job postings can be found here...
If you are a member and have an employment opportunity on your farm or agri-business, please send the details to info@nsfa-fane.ca .   

Disclaimer: Articles and news items do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSFA or its members. The e-Newsbreak is intended to give readers access to various information in a timely manner in addition to current publications.  We respect the privacy of our members and ensure any information they provide will not be provided to third parties.