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In This Issue
- Register now for FFCO's tenth anniversary conference April 13
- Garden in a Box Orders
- Tenth anniversary fundraising update
- In case you missed it: Winter Speaker Series videos available
- Virtual Food & Farm Field Trip: Hosts Needed
- FFCO welcomes new Communications Coordinator - Lauren Miller
- Meet a member: Paris Agricultural Society
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Register now for FFCO's Annual Conference |
Join us for our Annual Conference on April 13. Register now to attend virtually or in person at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora from 10 am to 4 pm. This year’s theme is "Evolving in a Changing World".
For over twenty-five years, Bill Carr has been making people laugh at what’s trivial while helping them think deeply about what counts. His unique blend of humour and insight inspires laughter and helps people see their world with a fresh perspective.
Tim May, fourth-generation dairy farmer and multi-award-winning “agvocate” from Rockwood, Ontario. Tim is extremely passionate about spreading positive messages about farming through social media. He uses humour and his genuine compassion for people and animals to both entertain and educate his over 150,000 followers around the world.
Panel Discussion: Evolving for success
This panel discussion will feature Farm & Food Care members whose businesses depend on consumer engagement. They’ll talk about why and how their companies were affected, what strategies they implemented to deal with immediate and longer term needs and what innovative and creative ideas they’ve put in place to set themselves up for success. Panel presenters include Mike Buis, Buis Beef and Bloomfield Feed Company; Marianne Edward, Sheldon Creek Dairy; Erin McLean, McLean Berry Farm; Kevin Snyder, Snyder Heritage Farms.
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Confirmed speaker Bill Carr |
Confirmed speaker Tim May
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Order your 2022 Garden in a Box
If you're making spring plans for summer gardens, this box is for you!
Buy a garden plot or patio pack and join FFCO's Facebook Garden Club and #GrowTogether with gardeners and farmers across Ontario.
Growing along will be Farm & Food Care members, agri-food industry partners, and the farmers and food professionals who grow the food we eat every day.
The Facebook Garden Club will have experts, cultivate knowledge sharing and #GrowTogether with friends and family across Ontario!
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Tenth anniversary fundraising campaign underway |
This year marks an exciting milestone for Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO).
In celebration of this achievement, FFCO is inviting members, partners and friends to join in 10th anniversary events and campaigns throughout 2022. Show your support by donating a minimum of $10/month or $100 in 2022 to be part of the10th Anniversary donors' circle. Donations over $20 will receive a charitable tax receipt.
10 Actions to Celebrate with us
- Register for our Annual Speakers Conference on April 13, 2022
- Become a member or renew your individual membership
- Donate $10/month for 10 months
- Volunteer at a Farm & Food Care Ontario event, like Breakfast from the Farm
- Tell your story and help build public trust in food and farming
- Host an FFCO speaker or training session in your community
- Join our summer celebration BBQ!
- Celebrate Ontario Agriculture Week with us- October 3-9, 2022
- Invite a friend to join you for our 2022 Gala celebration
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Sign up for the Farm & Food Care Ontario monthly newsletter (already done!)
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In case you missed it: March Winter Speakers' Series
This winter, and last, FFC hosted leaders from across the food industry to share their insights and experience on how Canadian food producers are adapting to changing demographics, more mindful consumers and unprecedented global events. If you missed one of the speakers, or would like to hear what they had to say again, videos of the webinars are available on our website.
In March, FFC welcomed Francis Parisien from NielsenIQ, a leading retail and consumer intelligence firm to explore the trends and forces in Canada driving consumer food consumption and retail food purchasing decisions. The talk included which retail food categories are growing, which are experiencing decline and what Canadian retailers are doing within the marketplace, while exploring the forces behind the statistics and looking at how the COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to influence the market.
More information about this speaker series can be found in the article written by Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan found here:
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Virtual Farm & Food Field Trips: Hosts needed!
FFCO, in partnership with AgScape, continues to host a series of virtual field trips and the opportunity to learn more about food & farming in Ontario. Live events are streamed to FFCO's YouTube and Facebook channels and run approximately 30-40 minutes in length. Viewers can tune in and ask their questions in the comments to be answered LIVE!
FFCO is looking for new hosts for virtual field trips. These live events can be can tour a farm, in a greenhouse, out in a pasture, or even in a processing facility. The opportunities are endless. If you are interested or would like to learn more, please email [email protected]
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FFCO welcomes new Communications Coordinator -
Lauren Miller
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Lauren hails from the small community of Glen Morris, where she sparked her passion for agriculture on a dairy transitioned cash crop operation.
Today she is a member of the Paris Agricultural Society as a Junior Director and Agricultural Awareness Co-Chair. She has gained an in-depth experience in educating consumers about the path from farm to table in Ontario.
Lauren has successfully completed her Diploma in Agriculture at the University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus, and is continuing her studies part-time at the University of Guelph, for her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. She also brings to the team a strong background in photography as she owns a small business, Captured Moments by Lauren.
She is very excited to join the team here at FFCO and is looking forward to the new adventures that are in store for the coming year.
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Meet a Supporter Member:
Paris Agricultural Society
"The Vision of the Paris Agricultural Society is to engage, educate and promote agricultural awareness in the community. What better way to do so than to partner with Farm & Food Care Ontario.
Since 1858, our Society has hosted the annual Paris Fair on Labour Day weekend. We can proudly state that thousands of visitors enjoy carnival rides, concerts and family entertainment each year; however, at heart we remain an agricultural fair. We have five full days of equestrian, cattle, sheep and goat competitions as well agricultural displays and exhibits. Our Agricultural Awareness pavilion values the many Farm & Food Care resources that are used to educate many who were unaware of “where our food comes from”.
Our shared goal to provide education to both agricultural and urban members of our community has meant a newfound beneficial partnership. Being an active member of Farm & Food Care helps bridge the gap between urban and rural. We look forward to hosting another annual fair this fall of 2022 and welcoming visitors to the Paris Fairgrounds – “the place where friends meet”."
Cheryl Muir
Manager of the Paris Agricultural Society, Home of the Paris Fair.
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