In This Issue

• Farm Discovery Zone at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, April 6, 2024
• FFCO's Annual Meeting and Speakers' Conference, April 11, 2024
• April 10th youth event: An evening with Chris Koch
• Save the date: Breakfast on the Farm is coming to Ottawa, June 22, 2024
• Share the news, The Real Dirt on Farming booklet is available to order
• FFCO on the road in March
• ICYMI: FFCO and Canadian Food Focus host webinar
• In memory tribute gifts
• Member Accolades
• Breakfast on the Farm guest testimonial

Join Farm & Food Care Ontario for Breakfast from the Farm at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival taking place April 6, 2024. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. as a part of the festival’s Farm Discovery Zone.

2024 marks the 60th Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. This annual event welcomes around 80,000 visitors each year. The event has grown significantly in 60 years and includes wagon rides, sugar bush tours as well as multiple vendor areas. This year FFCO will be hosting a Breakfast from the Farm event during the festival.

The Breakfast from the Farm area will showcase a variety of attractions, including a large farm equipment display, Ontario commodity displays, livestock, family photo opportunities, and samples of delicious all-Ontario food.

If you are interested in volunteering, please click the button below or email [email protected]

FFCO's annual general meeting and speakers' program will be held at the Grandway Events Centre in Elora on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

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 11 a.m. There will be a members-only business meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. which will include FFCO Board of Director elections.

Keynote Speaker “If I Can…” with farmer and motivational speaker, Chris Koch

Koch doesn’t let limitations or obstacles stand in his way. Despite being born without arms and legs, Koch grew up like any other small-town kid — playing road hockey, causing mischief at school, and helping out on his family farm. Neither he nor his family treated his disability like a tragedy, and instead used it to fuel his dreams. Today, Koch is a motivational speaker who inspires his audiences to continually challenge themselves and build the life they dream of.

Cami Ryan

 Mis/Disinformation: Difficult to detect, impossible to ignore

Cami Ryan, PhD, is the social and behavioral sciences lead at Bayer Crop Science, with over 25 years of experience in agriculture and ag sciences. In her role with Regulatory Scientific Affairs (RSA), she strengthens relationships and engages with social, behavioral, and political scientists. Leveraging her extensive scientific network, Cami examines policy, regulations, consumer behavior, and public acceptance of agricultural innovations globally.

Graham Taylor

Artificial Intelligence ethics: managing risks and responsibilities

Graham Taylor, a Professor and Canada Research Chair in Machine Learning at the University of Guelph, leads research focused on deep learning and its ethical implications. Graham's work involves studying ethical concerns in AI, building responsible systems, and applying AI advancements to societal issues. Graham will discuss key risks associated with machine learning models, including misinformation and the urgency of ethical considerations in AI development.

April 10th youth event: An evening with Chris Koch

On April 10, 2024, Farm & Food Care Ontario and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) are proud to present an evening of inspiration geared to Junior Farmers of Ontario and 4-H members, University of Guelph students and any young people looking to pursue a career in Canadian agriculture and food.

Chris Koch, a Canadian farmer and acclaimed motivational speaker, will share why building personal and professional resilience is key to the long-term success of the Canadian agriculture industry. This event will be free to attend and includes pizza and light refreshments.

To register for free, email [email protected]

Save the date: Breakfast on the Farm is coming to Ottawa, June 22, 2024

Mark your calendars, Ottawa! Breakfast on the Farm is coming on June 22nd! Get ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast while experiencing life on a real working dairy farm. Don't miss out on this unique and exciting event - it's going to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family!

Share the news: The Real Dirt on Farming booklet available to order

The sixth edition of The Real Dirt on Farming is now available to order!

Dive deep into the roots of Canadian agriculture with the latest booklet.

We have the tools to help spread the word about the new booklet. Let's work together to educate and inspire others about the amazing world of agriculture.

Email [email protected] for more information.

FFCO on the road in March



FFCO's staff team participated in a flurry of activities in March, ranging from AGMs to farm shows and engaging Media and Speak Up training sessions. We've been catching up with members and forging new connections with farmers and industry partners across the province to strengthen our resources and activations.

Pictured above: Christa, Alicia, Kelly, and Rachel in Eastern Ontario for the Ottawa Valley Farm Show.

Pictured above: Kelly giving an Agricultural Media training session to FFCO members.

Pictured above: Kelly giving a Speak Up training session to egg farmers at the Egg Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting in Niagara Falls.

Pictured above: Christa and Rachel showcasing FarmFood360 videos at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show.

In case you missed it: FFCO and Canadian Food Focus host webinar

FFCO and Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan collaborated to host a webinar on Thursday, March 21. The session was tailored for nutrition practitioners, clinician scientists, researchers, communicators, educators, and food experts keen on enhancing their understanding and practice in an era inundated with information.

Dr. Cami Ryan and Connie Diekman addressed the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation and dove into the complexities of navigating this landscape, exploring its impact on professional practice. Connie and Cami are authors a recent article in the 2023 Journal of Nutrition: Misinformation and Disinformation in Food Science and Nutrition: Impact on Practice, Connie Diekman, Camille D. Ryan, Tracy L. Oliver (To read article: Misinformation and Disinformation in Food Science and Nutrition: Impact on Practice)

Memorial and tribute gifts

Amidst our deepest sympathies, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the family and friends of Delton Becker and Blair Fraser, whose thoughtful memorial donations to Farm & Food Care Ontario serve as tributes to their cherished memories. These contributions play an important role in advancing our shared mission and enable Farm & Food Care Ontario to continue cultivating understanding, appreciation, and awareness of Ontario's food and farming landscape among consumers through our diverse projects, events, and resources.

Member accolades:

Michael Young, recipient of the 2024 Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) Board of Director's Award

Congratulations to Michael Young, President of Canada Beef, who received the distinguished VFO Board of Director's Award recently at the annual meeting and producer education day of the Veal Farmers of Ontario. The award recognizes the contributions that many make to help the VFO Board achieve their mandate of supporting a viable livestock sector in Ontario and creating a proactive and engaged Ontario veal cattle and dairy calf industry.

Michael is pictured here (centre) with Vice Chair, Dylan Yantzi (left), and Chair Phil Kroesbergen (right).

Jeff Harrison named chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario

Congratulations to Jeff Harrison on his appointment to the role of chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO). Jeff Harrison is the director for District 12 (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings) and has served on the board since 2016. He farms with his family in Quinte West.

Breakfast on the Farm guest feedback

“This was one of the best events I have ever been to in my life. Everything was so well organized, the volunteers were incredible, the venue was clean and felt safe, the food was delicious, the price was affordable, everyone had fun, and it was educational and interesting. The kids loved getting all of the activity books and grab bags, and seeing the various vehicles/farm equipment. I've been raving to anyone who will listen about how great of an event this was and how much I hope you come back again next year. I have been craving those breakfast sandwiches every day now! I feel like having the event for brunch was perfect too. Thank you again for organizing this.”



Chatham-Kent Breakfast Guest

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

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