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In This Issue
  • August 11: FFCO member anniversary barbecue
  • Breakfast from the Farm: Grand River Raceway, Elora, August 27
  • Faces Behind Food
  • Source Local project update
  • Tenth anniversary fundraising update
  • 2022 Farm & Food Care Garden Club update
  • More than a Migrant Worker project
  • Tenth anniversary survey
  • Become a member
FFCO's 10th Anniversary Members & Friends Barbecue

Register now to join Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) members and friends on August 11 for an anniversary barbecue to celebrate 10 years, network, reminisce and enjoy lunch. Registration is by donation to cover the cost of the meal. The event will be held at Marden Park, just north of Guelph. Drop in anytime between 11 am to 2 pm, lunch available from 11:30 to 1:30.
Breakfast from the Farm at the GrandWay, Elora

FFCO, Grand River Ag Society and Fergus Fall fair are gearing up for Breakfast from the Farm to be held at the Grandway Events Centre August 27th from 9 am - 12 noon. The event will welcome urban and suburban neighbours in Elora and surrounding communities for them to experience Ontario food and farming up close and meet the more than 60 farmer volunteers that day.
 
Register now to volunteer and help make the experience memorable for guests.
Faces Behind Food: Follow for farmers' stories

Food unites us, but how much do we know about the people who work hard day-in and day-out to ensure Canadians have access to fresh, safe, nutritious, and delicious food? Faces Behind Food shares the passion behind the food that we love, one person at a time. Follow along to hear stories from farmers and food processors to researchers, veterinarians, transporters, seasonal agricultural workers and more. 

Since 2018, more than 300 farmers have shared their stories. Just this year, a master butcher explained how his job has become part of who he is, a bison farmer told the story of how he got into the business, a grain farmer talked about how he became a glider pilot, and a retired dairy farmer shared how she immigrated to Canada, plus many more.

You can help this project by following along on Facebook or Instagram, and when a story touches you, share it with your friends. 
 
Do you know someone who would be a great feature in Faces Behind Food?
Source Local: Local projects underway

Source Local, the public trust initiative underway by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, in partnership with FFCO, was launched in November 2021. This summer, local Federation of Agriculture chapters are getting busy letting their neighbours know why they should Source Local.

Renfrew Federation of Agriculture's Source Local night at the drive-in took place on July 31. Elgin and Manitoulin are putting the finishing touches on Source Local videos. Also, Frontenac and Grenville Federation of Agriculture's colouring book will be distributed at the International Plowing Match in September.

Provincial Source Local events are being planned for Ontario Agriculture Week, October 3-7 in Thunder Bay, London, Ottawa and Halton, with more details to come.
Support FFCO for its tenth anniversary fundraising campaign
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, FFCO is inviting members, partners and friends to join in anniversary events and campaigns throughout 2022. Show your support by donating a minimum of $10/month or $100 in 2022 to be part of the 10th anniversary donors' circle. Donations over $20 will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Donations support ongoing development of the Real Dirt on Farming and digital resources.

Ways to celebrate with us:

  1. Become a member or renew your individual membership
  2. Donate $10/month for 10 months
  3. Volunteer at a Farm & Food Care Ontario event, like Breakfast from the Farm
  4. Tell your story and help build public trust in food and farming
  5. Host an FFCO speaker or training session in your community
  6. Attend the summer celebration barbecue August 11
  7. Celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week - October 3-9, 2022
  8. Invite a friend to attend the 2022 Gala celebration
2022 Farm & Food Care Garden Club update

This summer, grow along with Ontario gardeners by joining the 2022 Farm & Food Care Garden Club on Facebook. Share your farming or garden experiences and learn with gardeners across the province!
 
This past month the 560+ group members learned about water's role in plant growth, plus how and why farmers use rain gauges to track their precipitation. The group also learned a method to make a rain gauge for their own garden.
 
Content shared in the group has reached over 2400 views with consistent growth and meaningful opportunities for engagement and connection in a shared-value space. Later this summer partners will help share cook-along content to help gardeners utilize their garden produce or locally purchased ingredients and gardeners will hear from Ontario Fair judges, ambassadors and others who will help them connect with their local agricultural society to continue their experiential learning journey!
 
Contact us at [email protected] to get involved! 
More than a Migrant Worker

Farmers know first-hand how vital seasonal workers are to Ontario's agriculture sector, the skills they bring to the province's operations, and what they’re able to accomplish for their families and communities in their home countries by coming here to work.
 
Follow along on the web at MoreThanaMigrantworker.ca or on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @MtaMigrantWkr to hear stories directly from migrant workers and learn more about their stories.
Share your memories of FFCO

Take our two question survey and share with us your best memories of 10 years of FFCO. Memories will be shared at our 2022 Harvest Gala event on November 17th, 2022 in Guelph.
Become a Member

Did you know?
  • Your $350+ membership gives you access to a $50 FFCO resource credit annually?
  • Corporate members can access free training and workshops?
  • Your support makes our work possible!