The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has received funding to develop a comprehensive support system for agriculture and food employers and job seekers. The funding comes from the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership and and is part of a targeted intake created April 17 to help address labour supply and training challenges in agriculture and food. […] Read more
Ontario Federation of Agriculture to develop ag jobs support system
Agri-food worker protection funds increased
Program provides protective equipment and funds ways to separate workers
The Ontario provincial government is investing $15 million more to fund health and safety protection for farm workers. The Agri-food Workplace Protection Program was originally funded with $4.5 million from the federal and provincial government, but the province is now committing up to $15 million to enhance health and safety measures on farms and in […] Read more
Dairy Xpo cancelled, new poultry show still on
Management of the Canadian Dairy Xpo had hoped to run the show this summer after it was postponed from its usual April date
The Canadian Dairy Xpo (CDX) tried to hold on, during this terrible pandemic year for events, but in the end, a summer date in Stratford wasn’t possible. Gatherings of people are restricted to five in Ontario, and that means that events like CDX which attract more than 10,000 are unable to continue. Why it matters: […] Read more
Ontario’s plowing match latest COVID-19 casualty
The International Plowing Match will be held next in Lindsay in 2021
The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is the latest major event to be cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19. Host Lindsay will get the chance to welcome plowing and rural enthusiasts in 2021. The 2021 event will be held Oct. 13 to 16, 2021 at the Lindsay Fairgrounds and neighbouring farms. “The Leadership […] Read more
Hog farmers give back to processing workers
Sofina Foods workers had their lunch paid for by hog farmers
Hog farmers and their local and provincial associations recently donated lunch to pork processing plant workers. The event was part of the Pork Industry Gratitude Project, started in Perth County. Front-line workers at the Sofina Foods Inc. processing plant in Burlington got lunch from hog farmers on May 13, to show their appreciation for their […] Read more
Managing COVID-19 risks during planting
Five steps to keeping family and workers safe
Farmers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread. The COVID-19 outbreak will continue to float through North America as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy. Lee identified several areas where farmers can reduce their risk: 1. Deliveries: Physical distancing becomes difficult […] Read more
Woodstock teacher recognized by AgScape
Jack Verrips has grown the number of agriculture classes at College Avenue Secondary School
Jack Verrips, a teacher at College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock, the most recent winner of AgScape’s Teacher Recognition Award. Verrips has been teaching for 11 years and teaches animal science, crop science and green industries. He developed an Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major program at the school and is creating a double-period course focused […] Read more
Tire Grabber invention wins farm safety award
Farmer Darcy Goossen invented the Tire Grabber to help farmers safely change large-scale tires. Goossen wanted to make it easier and safer to change his own large tires and do tire repairs on-farm himself. It took him about five years to get the product to the final version. “I originally started this to keep my […] Read more
Governments funding farmers’ move to online sales
Direct-to-consumer sales from farms has quickly moved digital
Many farmers have moved to marketing their food and plants through the internet and they now have the chance for government help to fund that transition. The Ontario and Canadian governments are investing $2.5 million the new Agri-Food Open for E-Business initiative through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP). Organizations and businesses can apply for a […] Read more
Ontario wants rule-cutting suggestions
Website set up to help businesses during COVID-19 crisis
The Ontario provincial government is looking for areas where it can make changes to rules that will help businesses operate and survive during the COVID-19 crisis. It created a new website to receive requests for temporary rule changes that: assist the health care system meet the needs of needs of the emergency assist businesses in retooling […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
