August 2015 Newsletter

CFO Launches New 'Artisanal Chicken' Program

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) has announced a portfolio of new programs that will support expanded business opportunities for chicken farmers and offer Ontario consumers even more choice in accessing locally grown, high quality chicken. The new business opportunities were developed following the recent farmer, public and industry ‘Allocating Growth’ consultations, and includes an ‘Artisanal Chicken’ program which will appeal to smaller, independent, family farmers looking to meet local markets.

Click here to read more


Recycle Your Plastic Containers, Seed Bags and More!

There are now more opportunities than ever to recycle your agricultural waste products, thanks to CleanFarms.

This year, CleanFARMS will offer a program in major agricultural regions of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes to collect and safely dispose of empty seed and pesticide bags. Depots for free collection are located throughout Ontario.

Click here to read more


Dribble Bar Demo

August 11, 2015  |  10:00am  |  Maryland Farms, Reaboro, ON

"Putting (and keeping) nutrients in their place - tips to maximize the value of manure for your crops."

Join OMAFRA Nutrient Specialist, Peter Doris as he demonstrates the use of a Dribble Bar on a 5-6,000 gallon Husky tank. For more details, contact Jim Callaghan: (705) 879-7200


Soil Health Day

August 12, 2015  |  9:00am  |  Hewitt Creek Farms, Innisfil, ON

Join Dr. Christine Jones and the OMAFRA Soil Team for a full day workshop on restoring and rebuilding soil, as well as multi-species cover crop demonstrations.

Dr. Christine Jones is an internationally renowned groundcover and soils ecologist with a PhD in Soil Biochemistry. She has worked with farmers on four continents to regenerate tired soil. She demonstrates how to restore the elements that will bring new life back into soil, build organic matter, improve soil structure, increase water retention capacity, and create fertile ground. Dr. Jones has a wealth of experience working with innovative landholders to implement regenerative land management practices that enhance biodiversity, increase biological activity, sequester carbon, activate soil nutrient cycles, restore water balance, improve productivity and create new topsoil.

For more info, or to register, visit: www.ifao.com


Peterborough SCIA Bus Trip

August 12, 2015  |  9:00am  |  Pick Ups at Norwood and Former Burnham Mansion Restaurant

Join the Peterborough SCIA on a bus trip to the Bowmanville and Newcastle area, where they'll visit Algoma Orchards to see the production, processing, and marketing of apples. The tour will then proceed to Tyrone Mills to view a working saw mill and flour mill, plus a bakeshop. The third stop of the tour will be at Jill Jensen Botanical and Greenhouses, a tropical plant supplier and grower.

The bus will pick up in Norwood at 9 am, as well as near the former Burnham Mansion Restaurant at 9:20 am. The bus will return by 4 pm. Plan to bring a lunch. Refreshments will be provided.

For OSCIA and 4-H club members, the tour is free. For all others the cost is $10. 

Please contact Jim Buck (705-696-2956 | 705-696-2567) or Kyle Keating (705-768-8027) for more details.


Hastings County Plowing Match & Farm Show

August 19 & 20, 2015  |  1210 Callaghan Rd, Township of Tyendinaga

Hosted by Chadwick Farms Inc. (Brian, Wayne, Rob & Drew Chadwick)

Produced for Farmers, by Farmers. Enjoy 300 exhibitors of agricultural technology & services, woodlot info & demos, crafts, family programs, antiques, Queen of the Furrow & entertainment.  

For more info, visit www.hastingsfarmshow.ca, or contact Vince Brennan: (613) 395-1281 | hfa@bell.net


Problem Solving in the Garden: Ecological Pest and Disease Control 101

August 20, 2015  |  6:00pm  |  Trent Field Garden

Join the Trent Vegetable Gardens and Dan Legaut from DanLedandan Foods for this informative workshop on how to solve persistent problems in the garden. As a long time gardener, past coordinator of the Trent Vegetable gardens, CSA operator and more, Dan has the experience and know-how to deal with some of the toughest trouble shooting in the garden. Learn the basics of bug prevention including cucumber beetles and leek moths; critter control; attracting beneficials; and how to get rid of fungus and mildews! This workshop may just be the key to breathing easy in the garden all season long!

Email trentvegetablegardens@gmail.com for more info.


Pollinator Habitat Field Day

September 2, 2015  |  10:00am  |  Peterborough County  |  FREE!

Join us on Wednesday September 2 for a full day FREE bus tour showcasing the great work being done to support native pollinators by farmers in Peterborough County. We’ll visit two farms to hear how they’ve effectively incorporated pollinator conservation into their farming systems, and then spend the afternoon working on a new planting project at a cattle farm outside of Lakefield.

Participants will receive a copy of A Landowner's Guide to Conserving Native Pollinators in Ontario, as well as a Bumble Bee ID Guide. 

Space is limited to 15 people, so register soon! For all the details, visit pollinatorhabitat.eventbrite.ca, or phone (705) 743-7671. 


Maple Syrup Production Mentorship

Only a Couple Spaces Left! 

The new Farms at Work Maple Syrup Mentorship connects new and intermediate producers with experienced mentors. Participants receive over 30 hours of instruction in sugar bush management, syrup and value-added production, as well as economics and marketing. The Program is offered over five curriculum-based field days between October 2015 and May 2016. In addition, participants receive one-on-one support from our mentors, and attend an OMSPA info day, where they will gain valuable exposure to the maple industry in Ontario.

For more information, visit farmsatwork.ca/maple-syrup-mentorship-program, or call (705) 743-7671.