The 2018 LMI survey is here! The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is surveying farm business owners and workers on the state of agricultural labour in Canada. We ask all owner-operators, workers and supporting stakeholder groups to take part to guide future action on the growing workforce crisis. Continue reading Agriculture Labour Market Survey: Available until November 30
Category Archives: Agricultural Development
The Importance of Youth Engagement to Rural Ontario
The strength and vitality of rural communities is contingent on our ability to attract young leaders: they are entrepreneurs, employees, neighbours, volunteers and patrons of local businesses.
Making headlines in Ontario Farmer: “Labour shortage worsening in Perth, Huron, Grey and Bruce”. Labour force availability in rural communities is being cited as a problem by employers and economic developers across the province. It’s a challenge across all sectors, from manufacturing to agriculture to tourism to healthcare. Continue reading The Importance of Youth Engagement to Rural Ontario
Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum: Navigating Agriculture Economies
On October 4th 2018, OMAFRA and Wellington County held the Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum. The forum was an opportunity for those involved in municipal and local economic development or planning to network and share success stories.
Wayne Caldwell, from the University of Guelph, was the key note speaker presenting on Revitalizing Rural Economic Development. He outlined the process used to select rural research priorities and demonstrate how we can use this research to enhance our own community work. He also presented several recent projects pertinent to agriculture economic development and rural Ontario, for example the Enhancing Local Food in Northern Ontario initiative. Continue reading Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum: Navigating Agriculture Economies
The Impact of FALL FAIRS: A LASTING IMPRESSION
It’s the season of fall fairs. These annual events provide an opportunity for farmers to showcase their work, interact with the general public, and evaluate their produce and livestock against other farmers.
Fall fairs are a celebration of agriculture everywhere The local fall fair brings farmers and consumers together. A recent study indicated that three-quarters of fair attendees think that agricultural education is an important component of fair attendance. For many people, it is their once a year time to get up close and personal with a farm animal or product. Continue reading The Impact of FALL FAIRS: A LASTING IMPRESSION
How prepared are you when Navigating the Agricultural Economy?
The 10thannual Municipal Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Forum is being held October 3 and 4th, hosted by the County of Wellington and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Explore Wellington County on a bus tour on October 3rd, with local food lunch and dinner included. Learn about different agriculture-related businesses and how you can support similar agriculture activities in your region.
Tour locations include:
- Angelstone International Show Jumping Tournaments
- Rootham Gourmet Preserves
- Strom’s Farm and Bakery
- Mapleton’s Organic Dairy
- Elora Brewing Company
On October 4th, take in a full day of local food, networking and learning. Join us for speakers and panel presentations highlighting best practices from practitioners in Wellington County and beyond. Continue reading How prepared are you when Navigating the Agricultural Economy?
Key takeaways from the Succession Planning Community of Practice
On August 16, 2018, participants had the opportunity to hear from four presenters about how communities can support the transition of farm businesses during the Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Community of Practice webinar.
Mark Ferguson of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Business Development Branch began the session with a definition of succession planning.
Succession planning as a process that occurs over time during which a family plans for the transfer of knowledge, skills, labour, management, control and ownership of the farm business between the founder (retiring) generation and the successor (next) generation.
He went on to share why some producers are not planning for succession including: Continue reading Key takeaways from the Succession Planning Community of Practice
Good Fencing Systems Make Livestock Farming Easier
A major limiting factor for beef production in Ontario is the lack of fencing. With the spread of cash cropping across the province in recent years, perimeter fencing has been removed on many farms. Establishing, or re-establishing fencing is one of the first steps to getting into cattle farming.
Good perimeter fences are necessary for keeping cattle where you want them. Perimeter fencing maintains good neighbor relations and safe cattle, while interior fencing, subdividing fields, allows for increased pasture management.
There are many fencing options available: page wire, barb wire, and electric being three common types in Ontario. Continue reading Good Fencing Systems Make Livestock Farming Easier
Apply Now for The Premier’s Award For Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program
The Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program recognizes outstanding agriculture and agri-food related innovators including producers, processors, and agri-food organizations.
The objectives of the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program are to:
- Recognize and encourage innovators in the agri-food sector
- Foster farm-level innovation
- Raise awareness about the importance of agri-food innovation and its impact on the Ontario economy
Continue reading Apply Now for The Premier’s Award For Agri-Food Innovation Excellence Program
Cost-Share Funding Assistance For Organizations
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a federal-provincial-territorial initiative that assists with the advancement of Ontario’s agri-food and agri-products sectors, while focusing on key achievements related to economic development, environmental stewardship, and protection and insurance. CAP will be building on the success of Growing Forward 2 (GF2) to create further growth for Ontario’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
All cost-share funding assistance is merit-based and will support targeted projects in three priority areas, with research and innovation Continue reading Cost-Share Funding Assistance For Organizations
Individuals Impacting Their Community – ROLA Winners
Strong leaders positively impact their community; sparking innovation and inspiring others along the way. The inaugural Rural Ontario Leaders Awards (ROLA) celebrated the 2017 winners in February 2018. Among the winners were Dr. Gezahgn Wordofa and Grant Sparling, who won in their respective categories. They were nominated by their community peers for the leadership they demonstrate which helps to strengthen rural Ontario. Continue reading Individuals Impacting Their Community – ROLA Winners
