In This Issue

• FFCO's Annual Meeting and Speakers' Conference, April 10, 2025
• Breakfast on the Farm - Innerkip, June 14, 2025
• Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward, May 21, 2025
• ICYMI: Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips
• FFCO on the road in March
• Order your "If Found Please Return to the Farm" T-Shirt
• The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive case sale
• Member accolades
• Breakfast on the Farm guest testimonial
• Gold member testimonial
• FFCO welcomes new members

FFCO's Annual Conference and Speakers' Program

Farm & Food Care Ontario’s (FFCO) annual Speakers' Conference returns Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the GrandWay Event Centre in Elora.

This year’s theme, From Field to Front Page: The Changing Coverage of Agriculture Stories in the Media, features keynote speaker Claire McCormack, a PhD researcher and agricultural journalist at University College Dublin, who will explore trends in media coverage of agriculture and its future.

Following the keynote, a dynamic panel discussion, presented by FCC, will feature four journalists exploring the evolution of agriculture reporting and the factors influencing editorial decisions. That panel will be led by RealAgriculture's Field Editor Bernard Tobin and will inlcude McCormack, Scott Miller of CTV London News and Debora Van Brenk, former agriculture and environment reporter at the London Free Press.

Additionally, Charlotte Wasylik of Chatsworth Farm in Vermilion, Alberta, will share insights on how using new media and open-door events foster transparency and trust in food production, helping to bridge the gap between farm and table.

Highlights of the day will include:

• Taste of Ontario lunch
• Food & Farming Champion Award
• Overview of FFCO Initiatives: Gain insight into FFCO’s achievements and future plans for advancing agriculture and food awareness.

Join industry leaders to connect, learn, and celebrate the intersection of media, agriculture, and community.

Breakfast on the Farm - Innerkip

Join the first Breakfast on the Farm of 2025, hosted by Hoenhorst Farms, the Wensink family, on June 14, 2025, near Innerkip. In 2025, the Wensink family celebrates 100 years of farming. Hoenhorst Farms Ltd. is a fourth-generation dairy farm where the Wensink family, alongside their dedicated team of eight employees, takes pride in producing high-quality milk. Visitors will get a firsthand look at how modern technology, including milking robots, helps run the dairy.

Breakfast on the Farm events showcase the many different agricultural commodities, careers, opportunities, and advancements in modern farming and food production. This is the 25th BOTF event hosted by FFCO since the program's inception in 2013. Guests will enjoy interactive displays and exhibits highlighting the diversity of food produced in Ontario. Visitors can also get up close with different livestock displays, explore farm equipment, and have all their farming-related questions answered by farmers and industry experts. To get involved and support this important outreach event, contact FFCO to explore partnership opportunities and help bring the story of Ontario agriculture to a wider audience.

Volunteer registration is now open—sign up today and be part of this event.

Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward

This training session will provide tools to empower volunteers at fairs, farm tours and events to tell their stories to a non-farming audience.

For: OAAS members and volunteers, 4-H Ontario members and leaders

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom



The most effective and memorable exhibits include enthusiastic and informative volunteers. Whether you want to improve your public speaking skills, communicate assertively, or engage in meaningful conversations, this training session is perfect for you. Join Farm and Food Care Ontario for a webinar discussing how best to connect with the public when exhibiting livestock.

Please note: Pre-registration is required for this session.

In case you missed it: Virtual Food & Farm Field Trips

Last month, FFCO organized three virtual food and farm field trips, including visits to the Ottawa Valley Farm Show, a grain farm, and a sheep farm. A big thank you to farmers Robert Campbell and Stephanie Nanne, Steve Sickle, and Rodney Weber for hosting these online events. Recordings of these tours, along with all previous virtual field trips, are available on the FFCO website.

FFCO is always looking for new hosts for future tours. If you're interested in hosting, please reach out to info@farmfoodcare.org.

FFCO on the road in March

FFCO’s staff team was busy in March, participating in a variety of activities including AGMs, farm shows, and engaging in Media training sessions. We've been connecting with members and building new relationships with farmers and industry partners across the province to enhance our resources and initiatives.

Pictured above: The team showcases FarmFood360 videos at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show.

Pictured above: Kelly Daynard, Crispin Colvin and Alicia Becker at the CFO Annual Meeting.

Pictured above: Rachel Coles and Lauren Miller at the Grain Farmers of Ontario March Classic.

Pictured above: Kelly Daynard and Bernard Tobin giving an Agricultural Media training session to FFCO members.

Order your "If Found Please Return to the Farm" T-Shirt

Our exclusive "If Found, Please Return to the Farm" t-shirts, designed for FFCO, are now available for just $25. Show your love for the farm life and support for FFCO with these stylish, comfortable tees. Orders can be picked up at no cost from the Guelph office or shipped for a flat rate of $5.

Order yours today and bring the farm vibes wherever you go.

The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive sale

FFCO is offering a special discount on cases of the 6th edition of The Real Dirt on Farming. This award-winning booklet answers the top questions Canadians have about food and farming in a simple, easy-to-understand format.

This edition dives deep into the roots of Canadian agriculture, featuring farmer and researcher profiles from across the country—from the Yukon to Newfoundland and everywhere in between. Available in both English and French, the booklet comes in two versions: full and digest.

Order today and choose pick-up to receive a FREE cardboard stand with your purchase! Shipping is also available if you prefer. Payment can be made by cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.

With pre-orders, quantities can also be picked up at FFCO's Annual Conference on April 10, 2025.

Member accolades:

Chicken Farmers of Ontario celebrates 60th anniversary

Congratulations to Chicken Farmers of Ontario on celebrating 60 years of leadership in Ontario’s poultry industry at their 2025 Annual General Meeting, held on March 4, 2025. With over 350 farmers, industry partners, and government representatives in attendance, the AGM provided a special occasion to network, discuss trends and growth opportunities, and celebrate the continued success of CFO.

Above: Murray Opsteen, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario addresses the crowd during the meeting.

Egg Farmers of Ontario celebrates 60th anniversary and 10 years with Feed Ontario

Congratulations to Egg Farmers of Ontario on celebrating their 60th Annual General Meeting in Niagara Falls. During this milestone event, EFO also marked the 10th anniversary of the Ontario Egg Donation Program, in partnership with Feed Ontario, Burnbrae Farms, and L.H. Gray. This achievement highlights EFO’s continued dedication to supporting both the local community and the agricultural sector.

Above: Cheque presentation to Feed Ontario by representatives from Egg Farmers of Ontario, Burnbrae Farms and L.H. Gray/Gray Ridge Eggs.

Grain Farmers of Ontario celebrates 15 years

Grain Farmers of Ontario celebrated 15 years of dedicated service to Ontario’s grain farmers in March, marking the occasion at their Annual General Meeting and March Classic event. This milestone highlights their leadership in policy advocacy, market growth, and innovation within the agriculture industry.

Summit Station Dairy & Creamery receive Sustainable Tourism Award

Congratulations to Summit Station Dairy & Creamery on receiving the Sustainable Tourism Award, presented by the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association - RTO3. This award recognizes the exceptional innovation and leadership demonstrated in advancing sustainable tourism through business practices, product offerings, and community involvement.

Above: Carl Loewith, Jennifer Howe-Loewith, and Dave Loewith accept award at the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference.

Gold member testimonial - Hog Slat / Georgia Poultry

"Since 1969, Hog Slat has been involved in the construction of hog and poultry production units and the manufacturing and distribution of hog and poultry production equipment.

Hog Slat/Georgia Poultry’s mission is to deliver quality products and services to agricultural producers. Hog Slat/Georgia Poultry’s expansion into the Canadian market is part of our commitment and goal to provide pork and poultry growers with a complete selection of parts and equipment needed to support their operations.

Hog Slat Holdings in Mitchell, Ontario, takes pride in our partnership with Farm and Food Care Ontario. We firmly believe that agriculture is the foundation of a stable economy and civilization. What better way to improve these foundations than partnering with FFCO! We look forward to our future endeavors together."

Scott MacDonald, General Manager Canada

FFCO welcomes new members

FFCO welcomes the following new members:

Supporter member

• Collingwood Agricultural Society
• Mountain Township Agricultural Society
• Phyllis Campbell 
• Ross Enterprises

Individual member

• Kathy Mackay

Thank you for your membership and support as we continue to educate and bring awareness of food and farming to consumers in Ontario and across Canada.

Become a Member

Did you know?

• You, your farm or your business can become a member of FFCO
• Your support in membership makes FFCO's work possible
• Corporate members ($1800+) can access free training and workshops

Not a member yet? Learn why others have joined FFCO.