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 18, 2015
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Don't Forget
Open Farm Day
taking place this
Sunday, September 20
For an up to date list of participating farms, visit
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Workplace Education Courses for Fall (Starting Soon - don't delay in registering)
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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 [email protected]
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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:
- The Basics and Definitions
- Bookkeeping versus Accounting
- Understanding Financial Statements
- Legal Requirements- Canadian Small Businesses (Agriculture and Agri-food focus)
- Taxation requirements- Canadian Small Businesses (Agriculture and Agri-food focus)
- Introduction to Sage 50 Accounting: Capability, Set-up steps, Demonstration
- Microsoft Excel as a management tool: Overview and demonstration
- Knowing how expenses behave
- Improving Profit
- Pricing
- Creating a value-added product
- Analyzing your financial results
- Raising Capital and Obtaining financing
- Business Planning
- 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 [email protected]
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Financial Management for your Farm Business (Please note new dates and location)
Are you tired of wondering where your profits have gone?
Is your business positioned to optimize profits?
This 40 hour customized Workplace Education program will help your farm build the skills, knowledge and performance needed to take advantage of sound financial decisions.
Topics that could be covered:
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The Basics and Definitions
* Concepts of Bookkeeping
* Pricing Strategy
* Home Office and Vehicle Use
* Basic Farm Taxation
* Financial Statements
* Reporting Requirements
* Budgets and Cash Flows
* Financial Analysis
This course will take place on Tuesday evenings from 5 - 9 p.m. starting on
September 29 and running for 10 weeks 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
[email protected]
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Business Essentials for your Farm Business
You decided to farm most likely because you enjoy working with livestock, crops and/or machinery. Few get into business because they enjoy the management necessities of a business! However running a business requires different skill sets beyond production. Through this course we will look at management skills to increase your success rate covering such topics as marketing, human resource management, record keeping, understanding financials, communication and negotiation skills, knowledge of business regulatory issues, inventory control, planning, organization, problem solving, strategic planning, succession planning, etc. The depth of each topic area will depend on the needs of the participants who sign up for the program.
This course will start on Monday, September 21 and run each Monday for nine weeks from 10 - 3 p.m. in the
Annapolis Boardroom, Perennia Innovation Park, 60 Research Drive, Bible Hill. To register for this opportunity to improve your management skills, contact Shelly MacKenzie at 893-2293 or [email protected].
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HR Training for Farmers
People are the foundation of every business, and as a business grows it typically requires input from more and more people. Managing the human resources of your business is essential for growth and success. This can be your greatest challenge, and improper HR practices can cost you time and money. Through this course we will explore foundational topics like communications and generational differences. We will also discuss various tools to manage human resources, all which will help you attain Employer of Choice status. We will discuss the process of hiring, maintaining and developing good employees, and employers responsibilities under the labour standards code, etc.
This course will start on Thursday, October 1 and run each Thursday for nine weeks from 10 - 3 p.m. in the
Annapolis Boardroom, Perennia Innovation Park, 60 Research Drive, Bible Hill. To register for this opportunity to learn proper HR skills, contact Shelly MacKenzie at 893-2293 or
[email protected].
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EFNS Welcomes New Marketing and Communications Coordinator
The Egg Farmers of Nova Scotia would like to extend a warm welcome to Emma Geldart, Marketing and Communications Coordinator and the newest member of the EFNS team.
Emma is a recent graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University with a bachelor's degree in public relations. Having followed the co-operative education route, Emma brings with her three years of practical experience in marketing and communications. Most recently, Emma comes to EFNS having worked for two years at Dalhousie University's Faculty of Agriculture as the Communications and Marketing Assistant. Her background in public relations, communications, and marketing, paired with her knowledge and experience in the agriculture industry in Nova Scotia make Emma a highly qualified member of the EFNS team.
As Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Emma will be responsible for a number of duties within EFNS. She will oversee the ongoing promotion of eggs through signature events, food demonstrations, website management and social media. She will also create public communications with regard to the benefits and importance of egg supply management, as well as develop internal communications for EFNS's members and stakeholders.
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Vineyard Development and Expansion Program
The Vineyard Development and Expansion program aims to assist the Nova Scotia wine grape industry to better position Nova Scotia within the market place. This will be achieved by supporting the primary industry to increased production, enhance competitiveness and capture new markets. This program will help ensure the on-going viability of this industry in rural Nova Scotia. The Vineyard Development and Expansion initiative is a provincially funded program. More information here...
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Crown Land Available for Wild Blueberry Development
WBPANS has been working closely with the Nova Scotia Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Agriculture to identify suitable Crown land for wild blueberry development in Cumberland County. Six Crown land sites in Chase Lake, Thomson Station, Millvale and Wentworth that would be suitable for wild blueberry operations have been selected by the project team.
DNR has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on September 12, 2015 for leasing the selected Crown land areas for the purpose of growing, managing and harvesting wild blueberries. Anyone interested in submitting a bid is strongly encouraged to do so before bidding closes on November 6, 2015.
The RFP can be viewed online
here.
The RFP includes Site Profile documents that describe each of the selected sites, including (but not limited to) location/access information, area available for development, photos, estimated development costs, minimum annual rent and special conditions. Hard copies of the RFP material are available at both the WBPANS and Perennia offices.
If you have any questions about the RFP, please contact Mark TeKamp at (902) 424-3488
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Maple Producers Association of Nova Scotia
Fall Maple Tour - September 26, 2015
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The MPANS program committee (Jason Haverkort and Kevin McCormick) have put together an interesting and informative 2015 fall tour scheduled for Saturday September 26th in Antigonish County.
8:45-9:30 A.M. Registration ($25/person cash or cheque payable to Maple Producers Association of Nova Scotia) at Haveracres Maple Farm, 343 St Josephs Road, Antigonish, NS. Check out their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/HaveracresMapleFarm .
9:30-11:15 Tour Haveracres Maple Farm operation. Included will be demos in the sugarwoods on tapping, cleaning and sanitizing, etc.
11:15-11:30 Travel to hall.
11:30-12:00 Presentations on tapping and tubing related topics as well as an update on AgriRecovery program for maple producers.
12:00-1:00 P.M. Lunch.
1:00-1:15 Travel to 576 Ohio East Road, Antigonish NS.
1:15-2:30 Visit Gabe Chisholm's operation for a tour of his woodlot as well as a milling demonstration.
2:30-3:10 Travel to 5963 HWY 245, Arisaig NS.
At approximately 4 P.M. we leave for home. For most who are heading home to the west and south (towards Truro, Halifax and Amherst), when you leave Steinhart Distillery you can continue on Hwy 245 to the TCH 104 at Sutherlands River.
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Employer Consultation Sessions
Many agencies, boards and groups utilize public consultation to gather feedback and gauge expectations and acceptance by stakeholders, partners and others.
Each year the OHS Division, Labour Standards and/or the WCB issue draft policy or legislation and ask employers to comment.
Employers participation in the system has evolved tremendously over the past few years and particularly with more recent release of a Psychological Injury Policy by WCB, Noise Induced Hearing Loss Policy by WCB and draft OHS Regulation changes. Read more
here...
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September 14 - Farm Safety Board Meeting, Bible Hill (Henry, Carolyn & Lloyd)
September 15 - Council of Leaders, Truro (Staff, Executive & Council Members)
September 17 - OEA Board Meeting, Dartmouth (Henry)
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September 22 & 23, Bible Hill
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September 22 - 24, Cole Harbour
Farmer for a Day
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September 25, Bible Hill
Farm Safety Workbook Industry Consultation
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September 28, Tatamagouche
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September 30, 1PM, Online
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October 2, Various
NSIA Annual Fall Tour
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October 5, Centre Burlington
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November 2-13, Various Locations
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November 2, Truro
Colchester "Feed Dating" Event
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November 9 - 12, Various Locations
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| January 26 - 27, Greenwich NSFGA Annual Convention |
Current Electronic Newsletters
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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
[email protected]
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| 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.
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