In This Issue ... August 21, 2015 Economic Development The Role of a Facilitator New Earning Capacity Project for Ontario Non-profits Guide to Evaluating Community Food Hubs
Agriculture Development NEW! Chicken Board Announces Small-flock Plan Cover Crops Following Cereals and Late Summer Harvested Crops How Safe is Your Farm?
Resources Social Media Accounts OMAFRA Regional Advisors Dateline, Calendar of Events OMAFRA Specialists on Twitter OMAFRA Website OMAFRA Contact Centre 1-877-424-1300
Resources
smOMAFRA's Regional Economic Development Branch Social Media Accounts Follow us on Twitter
Visit our blog
OMAFRA's Regional Advisors
Dateline: online calendar for events, workshops and conferences
twitterFind OMAFRA Specialists on Twitter Lists Follow us on Twitter Field Crop Team and Livestock Specialists Follow us on Twitter Hort Crop Team Regional Information Sessions: Learn about NNI-treated Corn and Soybean Seed Requirements As of July 1, 2015 there are new regulatory requirements for Ontario corn and soybean growers to buy and use neonicotinoid treated corn and/or soybean seed.
Attend a regional information session to learn about the new requirements. Regional Information Sessions: In Person (English sessions) Guelph: Mon, Aug 24, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. St. Thomas: Wed, Aug 26, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ridgetown: Thurs, Aug 27, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cornwall: Mon, Aug 31, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Uxbridge: Tues, Sept 1, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In Person (French session) Cornwall: Mon, Aug 31, 2015 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Teleconference/Webinar (English session) Mon, Aug 24, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Teleconference/Webinar (French session) Mon, Aug 31, 2015 - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register online or by contacting the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca Economic Development
facilitatorThe Role of a Facilitator The word "facilitate" comes from the French word "facile", which means "easy". As a group facilitator, you help a group to discuss an issue, make a decision or solve a problem. You keep the group moving, and always towards its (not your) stated goals. By listening, observing and using your intuition, you are also very aware of individual needs and desires. While the group focuses on the task, you focus not only on the process but also the people.
It doesn't matter what sort of discussion is needed. It could be a brainstorming session to help a group come up with fundraising ideas, or create a project plan. With the proper facilitation skills and knowledge, you can help any group achieve its goals efficiently and enjoyably.
Read more ...
NewNEW program for Ontario Non-profits: Earning Capacity Project If you answer 'yes' to the questions below, then the Earning Capacity project may be a good opportunity for you! Is your non-profit interested in generating funds that aren't designated to a particular project? Does your organization have core expertise that could be turned into earned income? Are you already earning revenue and want to grow your capacity and find new markets? Is your organization committed to exploring or further developing earned revenue strategies? Are you interested in revenue development supports including training institutes in the Sudbury, Ottawa, Kitchener, or Markham/GTA area, and follow-up coaching? Up to 30 community service organizations will be chosen to participate in the development of Earned Capacity using their existing organizational resources. Successful applicants will have a committed team, marketable expertise in areas such as IT, HR, marketing, space rental, and finance/accounting or corporate training, and will be ready for (or already involved in) earned revenue activities related to these service areas. You may have your own concept for a non-program enterprise. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC), and social enterprise and evaluation consultants will contribute their knowledge and expertise in small business and non-profit social enterprise development, and help in documenting results.
Locations/Dates of the Institutes: October 26/27 - Markham North Welcome Centre, Markham Ontario October 29/30 - Pinecrest Queensway CHC, Ottawa Ontario* November 2/3 - Sudbury YMCA, Sudbury Ontario* November 4/5 - Lutherwood, Kitchener Waterloo Ontario Application deadline extended to September 11th!
Read more ...
GuideEvaluating Community Food Hubs: A Practical Guide Supported by the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Research Partnership, Erin Nelson and Karen Landman have developed a practical guide aimed at helping community food hubs conduct evaluation work. The information and suggestions provided in the guide are based largely on conversations with representatives of community food hubs that have proven track-records of success - both in terms of their overall operations, and in implementing effective evaluation strategies. The insights offered by these experts in the field are complemented by information from the literature available on evaluation. The guide can be downloaded here. Agriculture Development
chicken NEW! Chicken Board Announces Small-flock Plan Program Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) has announced that it is launching a portfolio of new and revised programs that will meet the needs of Ontario consumers while creating new opportunities for farmers and processors.
The new programs - which were developed following extensive public and industry consultations - will use a portion of the future growth in Ontario's production allocation to facilitate new business opportunities.
The Artisanal Chicken Program allows farmers to grow between 600 and 3,000 birds annually for commercial market purposes. It will appeal to smaller independent, family farmers who wish to raise chickens on a smaller commercial scale and sell to selected local markets. For example, a farmer that wished to provide specially grown or processed chicken to support the defined needs of a local restaurant or a local farmers market might choose to join this program.
This is an application based program requiring a production licence from CFO. Chicken Farmers of Ontario web site).
The application for the artisanal production is online and applications are open until Friday, September 4th.
Application process and forms can be accessed through Chicken Farmers of Ontario main program page.
Direct link to forms (also specifies time lines). covercropsCover Crops Following Cereals and Late Summer Harvest Crops - Adam Hayes, OMAFRA What is the best cover crop species to use following wheat and other crops harvested in late summer? Cover crops can help improve soil structure, protect the soil from erosion, feed soil life, suppress weeds, cycle nutrients, provide feed for livestock and much more. Cover crops are not a magic solution for your soil problems, but when combined with other good soil management practices they can help improve soil health.
Red clover is still the best cover crop option in winter wheat as it provides a nitrogen credit to the following crop and produces significant top (3600 kg/ha by mid-October) and root growth. As well as an 80 kg/ha nitrogen credit for the following crop. If red clover is not an option or did not establish, then planting cover crops following a cereal crop is the next option. Many think that volunteer cereal growth is good enough, but a planted cover crop can provide up to five times the above ground biomass and root growth. It can also suppress weed growth, which volunteer cereal growth cannot do.
Cover Crop Selection The cover crop chosen for a field will depend on why you want to grow the cover crop. You will also need to consider how it will fit into your cropping and tillage system and how much time there will be for the cover crop to grow. The OMAFRA website (in the soil management section) provides comprehensive information on cover crop species selection and management. Read more ...
safeHow safe is your farm? There are many potential dangers on farms that can cost you and your business. Visit ontario.ca/farmsafety for a list of resources to help you plan ahead to prevent accidents and to protect your family, your employees and your livestock.
