Weekly


DAIRY FARMER UPDATE

Friday, August 19, 2022

IN THIS EMAIL:

  • DFO and Toronto Raptors join together to revitalize basketball court in Toronto
  • DFO launches updated Dairy Education Centre at CNE today
  • Donkers family appears in latest Farmer Equity video series
  • Environmental Farm Plan workshops now available
  • Reminder: DFO scholarships deadline approaching

DFO and Toronto Raptors join together to revitalize basketball court in Toronto

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) and the Toronto Raptors, with the support of the City of Toronto, are thrilled to come together to unveil a brand new and revitalized basketball court at Woolner Park, where youth and community members can once again play and gather together.


This one-of-a-kind space has been reimagined to celebrate the Syme-Woolner community and elevate the space with a focus on youth. The new design features the message ‘Choose to Shine Together,’ boldly written in block-style letters across the entire court. To make it more inclusive, MLSE decided to translate the word ‘together’ into 16 languages - those most spoken in the Syme-Woolner neighbourhood – using them around the perimeter.


With investment from DFO of $250,000 and additional contributions from the Toronto Raptors and support from the City of Toronto, what was once a court in disrepair is now a fully updated community space for local youth, who played an integral role in the court design process. Throughout the project, an advisory group of neighbourhood youth were consulted to ensure the end result would meet their needs.


“The creativity and collaboration behind updating the Woolner Park court is truly inspiring and Dairy Farmers of Ontario is proud to support it,” said Cheryl Smith, DFO’s chief executive officer. “Our MilkUP program celebrates youth success and provides opportunities for them to succeed both on and off the court, while highlighting the benefits of milk in a healthy, active lifestyle. On behalf of Ontario’s 3,400+ dairy producers, their families and employees, we wish the Syme-Woolner Park Community many years of enjoyment.”


The official unveiling is taking place on Aug. 25, which will include a community celebration with a MilkUP pop-up featuring interactive games, The Toronto Raptors mascot, a youth basketball clinic and giveaways.

DFO launches updated Dairy Education Centre at CNE today

Today is the first day of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) after a two-year pandemic hiatus and DFO is thrilled to be returning to the popular Toronto, Ont., event.

 

This year, DFO unveiled a brand new freestall setup and fully functioning milkhouse as part of its updated Dairy Education Centre layout. Visitors to the new display will be able to take a peek inside the milkhouse through a window and can attend live milking demonstrations hosted by educators. Six cows will be onsite, as well as four heifers at various stages of development.


Other new features include a cow brush to demonstrate cow comfort. The new, modular dairy education barn will house new interactive digital assets, puzzles and games to promote learning for all ages through the journey of milk. Previous materials, such as a biodigester simulation and feed display, will be available at the centre.

 

DFO is also pleased to present the CNE Secret Menu, as part of the CNE food experience.

From ice cream to cheeseburgers, and everything in-between, the CNE is home to some of Ontario’s favourite carnival foods. This summer, to celebrate these extraordinary treats, DFO will be sponsoring the Secret Menu, which will provide exhibition goers with mouth-watering foods made with high-quality, local Ontario dairy.

Donkers family appears in latest

Farmer Equity video series

DFO’s latest Farmer Equity campaign continues to build trust and a meaningful connection with Ontario consumers to increase milk consumption. As part of the campaign, which runs until Aug. 31, DFO is featuring a branded content series on the Food Network. The second video in the series features the Donkers family from Branchton, Ont. 


The targeted content gives Ontario consumers an introduction to Ontario dairy farming families and reveals shared values of pride, passion and hard work that goes into producing local, high-quality Ontario milk. The recipe featured in this episode is a delicious Trifle Tiramisu that showcases Ontario heavy cream and mascarpone cheese.


Watch the full episode here.

Environmental Farm Plan

workshops now available

Producers are invited to attend an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) workshop to help them understand their farm from a different angle. Participants will gain insights in up to 23 areas on their farm and can use the information to identify strengths and areas of environmental concerns. Action plans are created to mitigate risks and capitalize on strengths.

 

Completing an EFP is part of proAction requirements under the environment module. At the end of the two-day EFP workshop, farmers will have a completed plan they can put into action on the farm right away.

 

Connect and learn

Collaboration among farmers is a critical component of the EFP workshop. Workshop facilitators are local to the region and have expert knowledge of the issues and local opportunities available to each participant. The workshop was developed with input from farmers and many facilitators are farmers themselves.

 

Access cost-share and funding resources

A complete EFP is a critical requirement for many cost-share and funding opportunities for on-farm projects. Facilitators can often point farmers to cost-share programs and resources to help with mitigating those risks.

 

The EFP workshop is offered all across Ontario throughout the year. It takes place over two days, spaced one week apart. Each session runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help accommodate farm obligations.

 

More information is available at https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario scholarships

As previously communicated


DFO has an annual scholarship program offered to students who will be entering a postsecondary degree or diploma program in agriculture. Effective 2022, we are pleased to

announce an increase of two additional scholarships and will now offer up to six $3,000

scholarship awards.


To be eligible for these scholarships, an applicant must:

  • be a son or daughter of a DFO licensed dairy producer (sons or daughters of current board members are not eligible);
  • be entering semester one of a post-secondary agricultural degree program or adiploma program in agriculture;
  • have achieved an average of 80 per cent or greater in Grade 12 credits (best six to be averaged).


Selection criteria will be based on:

  • academic achievement;
  • future career plans;
  • demonstrated leadership in secondary school and/or community activities.


Payment if selected:

The scholarships will be payable in two installments, one in semester one and one following

semester two, based on satisfactory achievement.


Application forms are available on DFO’s website at new.milk.org under Industry Login. On

left-hand side go to Documents > Forms > Application for DFO Scholarships.


Complete application forms must be sent to Dairy Farmers of Ontario by Aug. 31, 2022. For

more information, please contact Ashley Wannamaker at [email protected] or

905-817-2140.

MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is just as important as physical health
 
Dairy Farmers of Ontario has compiled a list of mental health resources on MMS in the left navigation.
 
Do you have any ag news, events or links related to mental health to share with the dairy farming community? Let us know by emailing [email protected] and it could be posted on the mental health pages (subject to approval).

Find mental health support

 

Call 211 for immediate mental health help in Ontario

 

Available 24/7



Toll free: 1-877-330-3213

TTY: 1-888-340-1001

 

The content Dairy Farmers of Ontario is providing is for information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.


If you feel that you may need medical advice, please consult a qualified health care professional. If you or someone you know needs immediate medical attention, please go to your local hospital emergency department or call 911 immediately.

Contact

For any general questions, contact [email protected]. To provide feedback on DFO’s communications and inquire about signing up or unsubscribing, contact [email protected]. If you receive any media requests, contact [email protected].
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