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In This Issue
- FFCO's Ask-A-Farmer kiosk recap at the CNE
- Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, September 12 - 14, 2023
- Media training workshops open for members
- Ontario Agriculture Week, October 2-9, 2023
- Breakfast on the Farm: Laprise Farms, October 21, 2023
- Save the date: Annual Harvest Gala, November 16, 2023
- Highlights from Breakfast on the Farm in Napanee
- New FarmFood360 virtual reality tours coming soon
- Fair resources and lending library
- FFCO welcomes new Communications Coordinator - Jessica McCann
- Member testimonial: Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
- FFCO welcomes new members
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FFCO's Ask-A-Farmer kiosk recap at the Canadian National Exhibition
FFCO's Ask-A-Farmer kiosk has been gaining a lot of attention at "The Farm" building at the CNE with over 400 recorded questions and counting. The kiosk is a video recording booth- like "Speakers' Corner"- allowing visitors to record themselves asking questions about food and farming. FFCO will collect answers from Canadian farmers and post "Ask-A-Farmer" video updates via FFCO's social media following the CNE.
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FFCO representatives pictured here with the
Ask-A-Farmer kiosk at the CNE.
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Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, Ontario | |
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Canada's Outdoor Farm Show is fast approaching and FFCO will be on-site in the Federation House between September 12 – 14. 2023.
Stop by to chat with board and staff members about our organization and learn all about the new projects and events that are planned for the rest of the year.
Members will be rewarded with a tasty treat for stopping by.
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Media training sessions open for member registration
This fall, FFCO will host day-long, in-person media training sessions for its members. Two sessions have been scheduled for Wednesday, October 25 or Tuesday, November 28 in Guelph.
The program is useful for board members and staff who speak regularly about issues related to their sectors. The day's agenda and topics will be geared towards the commodities represented by those participating.
The course will be co-facilitated by Kelly Daynard of FFCO, assisted by Jennifer MacTavish.
The cost is $400 per member ($500 for non members). Space is limited to 10 people per course. If the courses fill up, additional dates will be added. Private courses are also an option for members.
Questions or to book a space, email [email protected]
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Ontario Agriculture Week 2023
From October 2-9, join FFCO to celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week and remind everyone that Ontario is a province overflowing with fresh, locally-grown, high-quality food and products.
Ontario Agriculture Week celebrates the abundance of food farmers produce, the Ontarians employed by the industry, and the rural communities and economy fueled by farmers.
Show your love for Ontario food using #loveONTfood across your social media networks, and use graphics from FFCO's Ontario Agriculture Week social media library to show your support.
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Breakfast on the Farm: October 21, Laprise Farms
Brunch edition
Join Farm & Food Care Ontario for an exciting all-new Breakfast on the Farm experience- brunch edition! Step into the greenhouse and embark on a journey to connect with Ontario farmers like never before. As you explore the greenhouse, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of agriculture and witness firsthand the incredible variety of food produced right here in Ontario. Experts, including farmers and agricultural groups, will be on hand to provide insights and answer any questions you may have, for an engaging and enlightening experience for all.
But that's not all - the event's highlight is undoubtedly the brunch. Prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as you indulge in a delectable array of dishes at various sampling stations.
Host Farm:
Laprise Farms, owned by Jean Marie and Lucille Laprise, is Canada's largest Brussels sprouts producer with partner Dave Van Segbrook. Located in Pain Court, Ontario, Laprise Farm specializes in fresh Brussels sprouts, carrots, peas, and tomato production for the processing industry. The farm also includes a greenhouse vegetable transplant business, grain crops, and seed corn.
Jean Marie and Lucille now farm with their children and make it their objective to create opportunities for employment and growth within their community. The Laprise family is looking forward to opening their farm gates during the Brussels sprout harvest to allow families and urban and suburban consumers to chat with farmers while providing a glimpse of a working Ontario farm.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the greenhouse, tour Laprise Farms, connect with Ontario farmers and farm organizations, and enjoy a mouthwatering brunch. Mark your calendars and join us on October 21, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., for the all-new Breakfast on the Farm: Brunch Edition - a celebration of Ontario's bountiful food culture that will leave you inspired and satisfied.
To partner with FFCO as a sponsor for the day, please reach out to [email protected]
Join FFCO as a volunteer that day! Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/677513078857?aff=oddtdtcreator
| Save the date: Annual Harvest Gala | |
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Join Farm & Food Care for an event celebrating the harvest and
excellence across all sectors of Ontario agriculture.
Save November 16, 2023, to join the celebration!
All net proceeds support the continued work of Farm & Food Care Ontario.
The night will include:
- Cocktail reception & hors d’ourves
- Three-course plated dinner featuring Ontario’s finest foods
- Program featuring the presentation of the annual Paul Mistele Memorial Award
Tickets will go on sale in September at www.FarmFoodCareON.org
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Highlights from Breakfast on the Farm in Napanee
Bright skies and beautiful weather accompanied the second Breakfast on the Farm event for 2023 on August 26. The MacLean family welcomed nearly 1,500 guests and more than 120 volunteers and exhibitors to Ripplebrook Farm in Napanee for an action-packed morning on the farm.
Highlights of the day included an extensive equipment showcase for everything from hay to harvest and even an interactive sprayer exhibit. Trivia questions took guests around the farm, reading farm facts and talking to volunteers about life on the farm.
Livestock exhibits included a beef breed display and an opportunity to tour the inside of a large livestock trailer. The barns were bustling with visitors getting up close and personal with dairy cows, with the aisles full of knowledgeable farmers ready to answer their questions. Throughout the morning, guests lined up for a narrated milking demonstration by the MacLean family with an offer to meet some of the friendliest cows in the barn!
The all-Ontario breakfast included a delicious egg, cheese and pork sandwich with milk, strawberries, apples and cider rounding off the meal. While visiting the many education and exhibit booths and stations around the farm, guests could also sample Ontario-made ice cream, kindly provided by the Lennox and Addington Dairy Producers. So, whoever said ice cream isn’t a breakfast food hasn’t been to Breakfast on the Farm!
These events that provide a unique opportunity for farmers and non-farming Ontario to have a conversation about food and farming would not be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors.
To see a full list of our supporting partners, please visit: https://www.farmfoodcareon.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Napanee-Breakfast-on-the-Farm-sponsors.pdf
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New FarmFood360 virtual reality tours coming soon | |
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Filming for a new FarmFood360 tour took place last month for an updated virtual reality tour with Dairy Farmers of Ontario featuring robotic milking and the process from calf to cow.
A full day was spent at Browndale Farm in Paris, capturing 360 footage and interviews with the Brown family. Ashley Brown, fourth-generation dairy farmer, discovered her passion in dairy farming through her father, Doug, and is now sharing it with her husband, Steve and daughter Autumn.
FFCO and Dairy Farmers of Ontario will launch the new tour at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this November.
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The Brown Family walking down the feed alley in their dairy barn. | |
Skylight Productions crew filming the interview portions of the dairy tour. | |
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Filming for another new FarmFood360 tour took place at two farm locations in July for the new virtual reality tour with Ontario Berries featuring strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.
A full day was spent at the Howe Family Farm in Aylmer, capturing 360 footage and phenomenal interviews with brothers Rick, Ryan and Kevin Howe, who brought strawberry and raspberry farming to life for the project.
Day two of filming took place at Thames River Melons in Innerkip, focusing on blueberries. With blueberries now in season, owner Alex Chesney was the farmer's voice on behalf of the family.
FFCO and Berry Growers of Ontario are planning to launch the new 360 video and four interview style videos at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this November. This tour is supported by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
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Skylight production team capturing interviews from all three Howe brothers. | |
FFCO staff Lauren Miller, taking a family photo of the Howes. | |
Fair resources and lending library | |
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Do you have an event coming up this fall? FFCO has Ag Ambassador resources for members promoting agricultural awareness through events, fairs, etc.
Information sheets cover topics ranging from educational livestock displays to making sure important messages are displayed.
A library of lendable or custom resources is available for FFCO members at a supporter level or above. These include Farm Fact Signs, Speech bubbles, Ag education signage, FarmFood360 kiosk and access to FarmFood360 videos.
Send in your completed form to [email protected]
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FFCO welcomes new Communications Coordinator - Jessica McCann
Jessica (Jess) hails from a beef and cash crop farm in Milton; she works alongside her family both on the farm and in their small butcher shop providing beef to the local community. Jess has had a lifelong interest in agriculture and, being in a rapidly urbanizing area, she has also become very passionate about connecting people to where their food comes from.
Jess completed her degree in agriculture at the University of Guelph and has recently returned from Ireland where she was working to complete her Masters in Cooperatives, Agri-Food and Sustainable Development.
She is very excited to join FFCO and is looking forward to working with the team.
Jess can be reached at [email protected]
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Meet a Gold Member: Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
"As a Canadian dairy farmer-owned co-operative, Gay Lea Foods understands the importance of building and maintaining public trust in food and farming. For more than 65 years, our farmer members and employees have worked together to produce safe, high-quality dairy products for Canadian families, ensuring the value our business creates flows to the members of our co-operative and the communities we touch. From our farms and production facilities to our distribution networks and beyond, we embrace and act with
co-operative-inspired values, understanding there is no shortcut to quality or success.
By proactively bringing farmers and food partners together to communicate our shared values and provide balanced, credible information about food and farming to consumers – including the industry’s shared commitment to animal care, food safety, and the environment – Farm and Food Care Ontario (FCCO) is creating new channels for open, transparent dialogue within our food system. Our co-operative has been a long-time partner and supporter of FCCO’s efforts and looks forward to ongoing collaboration to advocate for and build public trust and consumer confidence in our food and farming systems."
Robin Redstone, Communications Manager
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FFCO welcomes new members
FFCO is excited to welcome the following new members:
Supporter member
- Blair Williamson
- Bobcaygeon Fair
- Tru-Willynn Dairy Ltd.
Individual members
Thank you for your membership and support as we continue to educate and bring awareness of food and farming to consumers in Ontario and across Canada.
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Become a Member
Did you know?
- You, your farm or your business can become a member of FFCO
- Your support in membership makes FFCO's work possible
- Corporate members ($1800+) can access free training and workshops
Not a member yet? Learn why others have joined FFCO.
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Not a subscriber? Become one here: | |
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