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In This Issue

  • Register today: FFCO AGM and speakers' conference April 13, 2023
  • FFCO board member nominations open
  • The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest open
  • Nominate a Food & Farming Champion for 2023
  • Canadian Ag Literacy Month: Virtual field trips in March
  • Ask a Farmer videos on social media
  • Member testimonial: Ontario Seed Growers' Association
Table Talk: Shifting Perspectives - FFCO's AGM and speakers' conference

FFCO's annual general meeting and speakers' conference will be held at the GrandWay Events Centre in Elora on Thursday April 13, 2023.

Early bird tickets are on sale now until March 30th- members' early bird rate is $80, while non-members' rate is $100.

Enjoy a day-long program for the Ontario agriculture industry, featuring speakers and collaboration around growing public trust. Be part of the conversation with like-minded industry leaders on the future of agriculture.

The main program will begin at 10:30 a.m. There will be a members-only business meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. which will include FFCO Board of Director elections.
Steph Roy McCallum, CPF, CNTC
A facilitator, coach, trainer and leader of the most difficult conversations of our lives. With her heart on her sleeve and a deep breath for courage, she wades into the messy, important, beautiful conversations that can bring us together - or tear us apart. Steph believes that brave, honest conversations are how we solve the challenges in our world, together.
Michael von Massow, OAC Chair in Food System Leadership at University of Guelph

Mike von Massow is a faculty member in the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph. His research focuses on consumer perception of and demand for food in both retail and food service contexts. He also studies value/supply chains that bring food to the market.
Hayden Fox, TikTok Star and Agriculture Influencer
 
Hayden is a Canadian TikTok star famous for posting comedic videos often telling a story as he works on his fourth-generation cash crop farm in southern Ontario. His haydenjfox account has gained 1.8 million followers and 20 million likes since he began posting on the platform in April, 2020.
FFCO board member nominations open

Elections for the FFCO Board of Directors will take place at the Annual General Meeting taking place immediately before the Annual Conference on April 13, 2023. Six positions on the board will be up for election.

Each voting member (Platinum, Gold or Silver members in good standing) is entitled to nominate one candidate to the board (or have one elected seat) at any given time.

Nominations include three components: a nomination form, a biography and questionnaire, and a signed copy of the director responsibilities and obligations document. All nominations must arrive at the Farm & Food Care Ontario office by email by Friday, March 24, at 5 p.m. Send via email to [email protected]
The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest

Farm & Food Care is launching a nation wide farm photo contest with $4,000 in cash prizes available for winners in six categories.

Winning photos may be used by the organization in the upcoming sixth edition of The Real Dirt on Farming, a publication that answers common questions about food and farming practices in Canada. For more information on this publication and to view the latest edition, visit www.RealDirtonFarming.org.

Photos may also be used in other Farm & Food Care initiatives.

CATEGORIES
1. Canadian Farm Scenes – Capture the beauty of Canada’s rural landscape;
2. Faces Behind Food & Farming – From farmers to chefs and everyone in between – all the people who make food & farming possible doing what they love.
3. All about Animals – Farm animals in the barn or field;
4. Farm Innovation – Technology at work on Canadian farms;
5. Crazy about Crops – Photos of crops being grown in fields, orchards or greenhouses across Canada; and
6. Farm to Plate – Showcasing the fresh, delicious and nutritious food grown and produced right here in Canada.

More information, including contest rules, eligibility, format, identification and judging are posted at the link below.
2023 Champion Award: Call for nominees

FFCO is accepting nominations for its annual Food & Farming Champion Award. The award is presented to individuals, organizations or businesses who have taken initiative to help engage consumers about agriculture in our province. Nominees have used their skills to help inform consumers or correct misinformation about production practices, and done a measurable job of promoting our industry.

Nominations are to be submitted by March 11, 2023. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please review the nomination form.

Pictured: 2022 Food & Farming Champion Award winner John Drummond.
Virtual field trips for Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month

In celebration of March being Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), FFCO is hosting three virtual field trips.

Sheep farm tour : March 8, at 10:00 a.m.

Maple syrup tour: March 15 at 10:00 a.m.

Chicken farm tour: March 22 at 10:00 a.m.

You can watch the tour online via our Facebook and YouTube pages. Register in advance for alerts.
Ask a Farmer videos now online

Eagle-eyed FFCO social media followers may have noticed a new series rolling out on the Facebook, Instagram and TikTok feeds.

Ask a Farmer comes from questions that FFCO collected at the CNE and Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in the video kiosk, and answers from real farmers from across the province.

The kiosk prompts people of all ages to record themselves asking a question about farming in Canada and now it is time for the answers.

Do you have a question about farming in Canada that you want to be featured? Are you interested in answering a question?

Contact FFCO at [email protected] for details.
Meet a Silver Member: Ontario Seed Growers' Association

The Ontario Seed Growers Association of Ontario was a member of the previous AGCare organization. When AGCare merged to form Farm & Food Care Ontario, we became a member of the new organization. You cannot put a definite dollar value on the benefit of being a FFCO member, but we do know the cost of not being a member.

The Ontario Seed Growers is a small organization representing pedigree seed growers in Ontario. We have a part-time staff of one employee, and many of the directors volunteer their time and energy to help the staff of one run the organization. It is in our best interest to support an organization like FFCO rather than increase our staff to deal with regulatory issues. FFCO has the staff and the resources to complement our seed grower members’ needs. 

 As a Silver member of FFCO, we have equal opportunity to sit at the board table; equal opportunity to participate and vote; equal opportunity to bring the issues affecting our industry to the board. It is a small investment with big returns.

Joe Hickson, Director, Ontario Seed Growers' Association
Become a Member

Did you know?
  • You, your farm or your business can become a member
  • Your support in membership makes FFCO's work possible
  • Corporate members ($1800+) can access free training and workshops