CONVERSATION STARTERS: AgScape AGM hosts Minister Thompson, announces funding, Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship launches, Soy Canada trade mission to South Korea, Support, when you need it, Agricorp deadlines. • | | |
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Field observations - spring 2024 | |
April showers bring May flowers - well, at this point of the year, there should be a good crop of flowers in the coming month. Rains have been variable across the province; however, there has still been enough rain to keep many farmers and their equipment parked. Winter wheat is still rapidly moving through growth stages depending on the region of the province. Warm weather and sunny skies in the future will see planters rolling.
Read more field observations from Grain Farmers of Ontario's agronomist, Laura Ferrier. •
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AgScape AGM hosts Minister Thompson, announces funding | |
AgScape hosted its annual general meeting on May 1 at the Arboretum at the University of Guelph, where the Honourable Lisa Thompson, minister of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced up to $3 million in funding to further AgScape’s efforts to deliver innovative agriculture and food education to students across Ontario.
Victoria Berry, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s manager of communications, was elected as chair of AgScape following the AGM.
Grain Farmers of Ontario is “Connect” level sponsor of AgScape. •
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Ontario Farming STEMterprise – Virtual Farm Visits and STEMDen Competition! | |
This week was a busy one for students across Ontario! Classrooms were able to join virtually with Ontario grain farmers as they explained the work they do on their farms, the equipment they use, and how many are anxiously waiting for the rain to stop so they can get out in to the fields for planting. Matt Beischlag, a delegate from District 6 (Haldimand, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara), joined students from the Ottawa area this week, where they talked about soybeans and showcased the soybean plants they are growing in the classroom.
Today, students are joining chefs and a panel of judges for STEMDen, a culinary Dragons Den style competition, hosting with Nutrition for Learning at Conestoga College. Students completed the 9 stages of STEMterprise, and then submitted videos of their classes granola bar business. Today, two classes will compete and present their granola bar business plan to be crowned winners of the STEM Den competition.
For more information on Ontario Farming STEMterprise please visit www.GoodinEveryGrain.ca. •
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Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship launches | |
The Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Scholarship encourages the pursuit of higher education in any area of study that will benefit the Ontario grain sector or agri-food industry and supports the development of future leaders in these areas.
The Legacy Scholarship is open to students accepted or enrolled in any accredited post-secondary College or University program. Up to 10 scholarships of $5,000 per recipient will be awarded towards the individual’s studies and cost of school. Up to five of those scholarships may be awarded to students pursuing non-agriculture-specific studies.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be a permanent Ontario resident
- Recipients are only eligible for one bursary in their lifetime
- Students must be in a full-time program
- Students must be attending an accredited College or University
- Students are eligible at any point in their studies
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The importance of research and collaboration | |
This week, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s CEO, Crosby Devitt, was interviewed for an article in the Globe and Mail about the importance of research and collaboration in the agriculture sector and the strong partnership between Grain Farmers of Ontario and the University of Guelph.
In the article, Devitt addresses questions such as 'What are some of the big challenges and opportunities facing Canadian agriculture?', 'How can collaboration between industry and academia help improve outcomes?', and 'How can universities further strengthen the agri-food system?' •
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Ontario Agricultural College celebrates 150 years | |
Since opening its doors in May 1874, the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) has become internationally renowned for its research, teaching, and knowledge extension in the broad areas of food, agriculture, communities and the environment. OAC kicked off their celebration on May 1, 2024.
Find out more about how OAC will be celebrating this milestone over the coming months.
Grain Farmers of Ontario delegate Sharon Vogels, District 8 (Perth), and chair Jeff Harrison, director of District 12 (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings), were among the many OAC grads who showed off their Aggie pride yesterday on social media in celebration of the OAC 150 anniversary. •
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Soy Canada trade mission to South Korea | |
As a 300,000-tonne food-grade market, South Korea offers significant potential for Canada to capture more opportunities than our current 10 per cent share. That was the message carried by Soy Canada, the national value chain organization supported by Grain Farmers of Ontario, during the recent Team Canada Trade Mission led by federal trade minister Mary Ng. Exporters in Ontario are interested in more access to the market by enabling Korean food manufacturers to import the quality of soybeans they want rather than what the Korean government decides.
During the visit, Minister Ng participated in a culinary event where tofu noodles made with Canadian soybeans were on the menu. Grain Farmers of Ontario recently met with Minister Ng’s office about the importance of exports for Ontario grain farmers.
The mission also provided Soy Canada the chance to meet with the Korean government agency that administers import quotas and a tofu factory that uses Canadian soybeans. •
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Support, when you need it | |
Farmers in Ontario face unique challenges that can often take a toll on their mental well-being. In Ontario, there is support available at times like these. If you or someone you know needs support with a mental health challenge, these easily accessible resources are available for you.
Access free, unlimited counselling Farmer Wellness Initiative 1-866-267-6255.
Ontario farmers and members of their households can access free counselling sessions with a mental health professional trained to understand the unique needs of Ontario farmers. Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Are you in crisis? 988 is here to help. Call or Text 988, free, anytime.
If you are thinking about suicide or you’re worried about someone else, 988 can help. Lines are open 24/7/365. Visit https://988.ca/ for further resources and support for those in crisis.
If you want to learn more about mental health and seek help, Agriculture Wellness Ontario offers several educational programs.
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In The Know is a free mental health literacy workshop created specifically to educate the agriculture community. Developed in collaboration with stakeholders from farming and mental health backgrounds, In the Know aims to build mental health knowledge and increase help-seeking among farmers.
Upcoming free training sessions www.intheknowontario.ca.
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Guardian Network is a volunteer suicide prevention program built to support Ontario’s farming community. Through this free training, individuals can learn strategies and tools to identify the signs of mental distress, react to farmers at risk, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.
Upcoming free training sessions www.guardiannetwork.ca.
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May 10 is an upcoming Agricorp deadline for Production Insurance and the Risk Management Program.
Production Insurance - 2024 Program year
- Apply for production loss coverage only (without winterkill) for winter wheat.
- Pay your premium for forage rainfall.
- Change existing coverage (e.g., coverage levels, claim price, other coverage options)
- Apply for coverage (new customers)
- Add or remove commodities (existing customers)
Risk Management Program - 2024 Program year
- Apply for Production Insurance for grain and oilseed crops, if not already enrolled.
- Submit completed application for new applicants or make coverage changes for RMP: Grains and Oilseeds
- Make coverage changes for RMP: Grains and Oilseeds (only contact Agricorp if you wish to make changes from last year)
Find out more on the Agricorp website. •
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As of Thursday, May 2, 2024 (at 10 a.m.): | | |
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