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In This Issue
- Ontario Agriculture Week, October 2-9, 2023
- Breakfast on the Farm: Laprise Farms, October 21, 2023
- Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips
- Media training workshops open for members
- Tickets on sale for FFCO's annual Harvest Gala
- ICYMI: FFCO hosts Food Influencer and Culinary School tours
- Fair resources and lending library
- FFCO welcomes new Communications and Marketing Assistant: Carson Wiggins
- Member testimonial: Sheldon Creek Dairy
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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 that 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 a variety of food produced right here in Ontario. Experts, including farmers and representatives from 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 variety of dishes at sampling stations.
Host Farm:
Laprise Farms, owned by Jean Marie and Lucille Laprise, is Canada's largest Brussels sprouts producer, working in partnership with farmer 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.
To partner with FFCO for the day, please reach out to [email protected]
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Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips | |
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The first week of October is Ontario Agriculture Week. To celebrate, Farm & Food Care, in collaboration with AgScape, is hosting five Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips! The field trips will allow students to explore Ontario farms from the comfort of their classrooms. The virtual tours will feature a different farm each day at 10 a.m. EST starting October 2, running until October 6. Students will be able to ask farmers questions about food and farming and get to experience a little bit of what makes Ontario agriculture so special.
Monday, October 2, 2023: Crabapple Farm
Tuesday, October 3, 2023: Hydroponic Farm
Wednesday, October 4, 2023: Feed Mill
Thursday, October 5, 2023: Cherry Farm
Friday, October 6, 2023: Dairy Farm
If you or someone you know is interested in taking their class on a Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip you can register at AgScape.ca. The tours will also be available live on Facebook and YouTube channels.
In addition to our farm tours we will be posting about Ontario agriculture all week to our social media. You can show your love and support for Ontario Agriculture by sharing posts or using #ONTAgWeek and #LoveONTFood.
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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 in the spring. Private courses are also an option for members.
Questions or to book a space, email [email protected]
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Tickets on sale for FFCO's Annual Harvest Gala | |
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Farm & Food Care Ontario, along with the board, members and partners invite you to the annual Harvest Gala, celebrating the harvest and
excellence across Ontario agriculture.
All net proceeds support the continued work of Farm & Food Care Ontario.
The night will include:
- Cocktail reception & hors d’oeuvres
- Three course plated dinner featuring Ontario’s finest foods
- Program featuring the presentation of the annual Paul Mistele Memorial Award
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In case you missed it: FFCO hosts Food Influencer and Culinary School tours
Fall farm tours are in full swing, marking the busiest tour season to date for FFCO. Each tour experience is designed to take guests on an informative journey from the farm to the fork.
September 20
FFCO hosted food influencers from Toronto and Hamilton for a day at the University of Guelph’s Elora research station – touring the dairy research barns, beef research barns and soil health facilities. Tour partners Veal Farmers of Ontario and Hello Canola provided additional presentations throughout the day while engaging participants on the bus and during lunch.
September 22
A bus full of Centennial College culinary students visited an egg farm, grain farm and Holland Marsh vegetable farm with assistance from Egg Farmers of Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
This week, the FFCO team is spread across the province, hosting three tours – one for Registered Dietitians on Tuesday, leaving from Oshawa and two out of Ottawa.
FFCO held a lottery for four tour spots in the 2023 culinary student tour program. Staff and students from Fanshawe College, Centennial College, Algonquin College and Georgian College will participate this year in day-long tours that give students a greater understanding of where their food comes from and how it is produced sustainably. Participants have the opportunity to meet farmers and producers, learning how each one is unique in their area of expertise.
FFCO’s farm tour program would not be possible without the incredible trust and support shown by the farmers who welcome groups onto their farms.
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Tour guests listening to a speaker from the University of Guelph Dairy Research Station on the September 20 Food Influencer Tour. | |
Students from the Centennial College culinary student tour on September 22, learning about double yolks in eggs. | |
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 and Marketing Assistant: Carson Wiggins
Carson is studying Marketing at the University of Guelph working on his second Co-op term. He is from Oakville, Ontario and is learning lots about agriculture through his placement.
He did not grow up on a farm, but is interested in learning about the agriculture industry after catching a glimpse while attending Guelph. His own curiosity has led him into the industry and he realizes the importance of connecting people to their food.
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Meet a Silver member: Sheldon Creek Dairy
"I have been a long-time supporter of Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO). I previously served as Chair for FFCO and I continue to work with FFCO as a Silver member representing our family business, Sheldon Creek Dairy on the board. Being a part of Farm & Food Care allows us to support important work being done to let our non-farming neighbours know what farmers do.
It takes a lot of ideas, time and energy to do this work and being a part of FFCO allows us to contribute to how agriculture engages with the community. Together we have accomplished a lot, as members we are able to help cultivate connections and build public trust for agriculture in communities all over Ontario. We are proud supporters of the FFCO mission and look forward to continuing to be a part of this work in the future."
Bonnie den Haan, former FFCO Chair and representative for Sheldon Creek Dairy
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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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