Grazing Workshop, Capital Funding Opportunities, Wood Ducks and More!
Hey Graziers, Grass Farmers and Pastured Livestock Producers!
Get out your calendars and circle Monday December 7 in bright red ink!
Farms at Work is honoured and excited to be hosting well-known Wisconsin beef farmer and grazing specialist, Laura Paine, for a full day workshop on grazing management strategies, and hear about a successful grass-finished beef marketing co-op that she helped to create.
Since 2006, Laura has worked as Grazing and Organic Agriculture Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. Prior to this, she was an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin Extension where she focussed on cool-season and native grass pastures. More recently, Laura has taken on the role of Program Director for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, a 4,000 hour apprenticeship for farming, and the first to be recognized by the US Department of Labor. She also runs a successful grass-finished natural beef operation near Madison, Wisconsin.
We're still working out all the particulars of the workshop, but we're thrilled to be hosting Laura during her time in Ontario. Let us know by email if you'd like to be added to the list for this exciting event, and keep an eye on our website for more info soon!
Changes to the Canadian Organic Standards - An Essential Update
Do you sell your product using the word "Organic"?
Then you may be interested in this new webinar series offered by Canadian Organic Growers.
On November 9, 2015, recent updates to the Canadian Organic Standards will take effect. To ensure that producers, processors, certifying bodies, verification officers, and anyone who requires knowledge of the Standards to carry out their work are up to date on the revisions, COG will be offering webinars this fall and winter, which begin this month. The cost of each webinar is $25 (taxes included).
For full details, visit the COG website.
Funding Opportunity for Capital Expansion
The Big Carrot Nature's Finest Fund is now accepting grant applications for its 2016 awards.
They are looking forward to a new round of applicants this year. The deadline for applications is December 7, 2015.
This program is especially of interest to Ontario growers looking to expand and who are already supplying the Big Carrot, or are interested in becoming a supplier. Funds are to be used for capital expansion, not for operating expenses.
For more info, visit thebigcarrot.ca
26th Annual Trenton Woodlot Conference
Presented by the Hastings Stewardship Council, the 2015 Trenton Woodlot Conference is happening on Friday November 20, from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM at the Batawa Community Centre, with presentations on:
- Secret Life of a Forest
- Our Biodiversity
- Botanticals in Your Woodlot
- Tree Legacy Program, permaculture, fruit and nut trees
The day will also include an optional field trip to the Batawa hills and forests with a geologist, biologist and forester, as well as several exhibitors and artisans.
Tickets for this exciting event are $30 and include a hot lunch. For more information and to register, head to hastingsstewardship.ca.
Love Ducks? Check out the DUC Nest Box Program!
Ducks Unlimited Canada is currently looking for project sites that will help provide habitat for cavity nesters like wood ducks and Goldeneye. If you have a wetland on your property larger than a couple of acres, and would like to provide habitat for ducks and other wildlife (like tree swallows and screech owls), then this program is meant for you!
Landowners are responsible for installing, maintaining and monitoring the nest boxes, but DUC provides the nest boxes and technical advice to landowners. Nest boxes are placed in wetland habitats like beaver ponds, where they will be most useful to ducks.
If you're interested in more details, please contact Jenn Lavigne at Ducks Unlimited Canada: (705) 721-4444.
ALUS Info Session
Interested in learning more about the farmer-driven, stewardship organization Alternative Land Use Services? Then head to the info session being held next Thursday, October 29, at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters/Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre at 6:30pm. There will be light refreshments, guest speakers, opportunities for networking, and a Q&A session.
For all the details, and to register, get in touch with Dawn Sucee at: (705) 748-6324 x 204 | dawn_sucee@ofah.org.
Succession Planning 101
Ready to plan the next phase of your business? Don't know where to start?
Then consider attending this half-day workshop, where expert local panelists will guide you through the key factors to consider when leaving, selling or purchasing an existing business. Panelists will include:
- Bill Lockington, Senior Partner, LLF Lawyers LLP
- Matt Holmes, Partner, BDO Canada LLP
- Diane Richard, President, Diatom Consulting, C.Dir.
- Kim Boomhower, Sr. Com. Acct. Mgr., RBC Canada
The workshop will take place Wednesday November 18, from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM at the Peterborough Airport. For full details, click here.