In This Issue

• Breakfast on the Farm - Norfolk County, August 23, 2025
• Volunteer for Breakfast on the Farm events for 2025
• The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest open
• Save the Date: 2025 Ontario Harvest Gala, November 27, 2025
• FFCO announced as title sponsor of 2026 Curling Ontario Championships
• FarmFood360 at the CNE
• Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward, October 29, 2025
• Resources and lending library
• Order your "If Found Please Return to the Farm" T-Shirt
• The Real Dirt on Farming exclusive case sale
• Member accolades
• Platinum member testimonial

Breakfast on the Farm - Norfolk County, August 23

Join us for Breakfast on the Farm, hosted by the Norfolk County Agricultural Society and Schooley Orchards/Apple Hill Lavender near Norfolk County.

This special event will bring together two proud local hosts — the Norfolk County Agricultural Society, a community institution since 1840, and the Schooley family on their family farm known for its apple orchards and lavender fields. Together, they’re opening their gates to showcase the beauty, innovation, and community spirit of Ontario agriculture.

This event offers a unique opportunity for urban and suburban non-farming audiences to connect with life on the farm. Guests will explore a wide range of agricultural commodities, careers, and innovations in food production through interactive exhibits, livestock displays, farm equipment, and one-on-one conversations with farmers and agri-food experts.



Come see Ontario farming up close — meet the animals, explore the equipment and crops, and enjoy a delicious all-Ontario breakfast. $5 for adults; children attend for free.

Volunteer with us – help bring Breakfast on the Farm to life in 2025

• August 23 - Two-stop event in Norfolk County; co-hosted by the Norfolk Agricultural Society and Schooley Orchards/Apple Hill Lavender
• October 10 - FARMtoberfest at Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest

Breakfast on the Farm events showcase the many different agricultural commodities, careers, opportunities, and advancements in modern farming and food production. 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!

Questions? Reach out to events@farmfoodcare.org

The Real Dirt on Farming photo contest now open

Farm & Food Care is inviting photographers from across Canada to enter its nation-wide farm photo contest, with $4,000 in cash prizes up for grabs across six dynamic categories. Whether you’re drawn to rolling fields, fresh-picked produce, hard-working people, or the latest ag tech, we want to see your perspective on Canadian agriculture.

Winning photos may be featured in the upcoming seventh edition of The Real Dirt on Farming — a publication that answers common questions about how food is grown and raised in Canada. The booklet is due out in 2026. Selected images may also appear in national Farm & Food Care campaigns, bringing your photos to life in print, online, and beyond. To learn more or explore past editions, visit www.RealDirtonFarming.org.

Photos may also be used in other Farm & Food Care initiatives.

CATEGORIES

1. Canadian Farm Scenes – Capture the beauty of Canada’s rural landscapes, from sweeping fields to quiet farmyards.
2. Crazy About Crops – Feature crops being grown in fields, orchards, or greenhouses across Canada.
3. All About Animals – Showcase farm animals in barns or pastures — candid, playful, or hard at work.
4. Canadian Food – Celebrate fresh, delicious, and nutritious Canadian-grown food from farm to plate.
5. Day in the Life – Share moments that reflect daily life on the farm and the people who make it all happen.
6. Equipment & Technology – Highlight the tools and tech driving innovation on Canadian farms — from drones to robotics.

More information, including contest rules, eligibility, format, and judging criteria, is available at the link below.

Save the date: 2025 Ontario Harvest Gala

Join FFCO on November 27, 2025, in Guelph for an evening celebrating the harvest, showcasing excellence across Ontario agriculture, and supporting vital work to grow public trust in food and farming.

Last year, this event raised more than $31,000 to support FFCO’s initiatives — from developing educational resources and hosting impactful farm tours to advancing meaningful conversations about food and farming with the public. In 2025, with your support, we’re aiming even higher.

The evening will include:

• Cocktail reception & hors d’oeuvres
• Buffet dinner featuring Ontario’s finest foods
• Presentation of the Paul Mistele Memorial Award

This year’s theme, Farm-Style Glitter & Glam, sets the stage for an elegant and festive celebration of Ontario agriculture. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress — think sparkle, sophistication in combination with a touch of farm charm.

FFCO is currently welcoming event partners, including general sponsors, cocktail hour hosts, and dinner sponsors. Your support will help make this memorable evening a success — and drive our shared mission forward. If you're interested in partnership opportunities, please reach out to alicia@farmfoodcare.org to learn more.

FFCO announced as title sponsor of 2026 Curling Ontario Championships

Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) is proud to partner with Curling Ontario as the title sponsor of the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Provincial Curling Championships, taking place January 4–11, 2026, in Elmira, Ontario.

As a coalition committed to growing trust in food and farming, FFCO is proud to bring the story of Ontario agriculture to the forefront of this premier sporting event. Hosted by the Elmira & District Curling Club, the Farm & Food Care Men’s and Women’s Curling Ontario Provincial Championships will celebrate not only top-tier curling but also the deep-rooted connections between agriculture, community, and sport.

The Elmira & District Curling Club, working alongside Curling Ontario and FFCO, will come together to create an event that celebrates top curling talent, showcases Ontario’s diverse agricultural landscape and engages the community. This partnership exemplifies a shared commitment to fostering meaningful connections between Ontario’s farming community, local residents, and sports fans.

Through this sponsorship, FFCO will contribute to the event with local food initiatives, educational programming, giveaways, and interactive community activities — all designed to connect attendees with the people and stories behind Ontario’s farms and food.

We look forward to an unforgettable week in Elmira — where curling meets community, and agriculture takes centre stage.

More details on this partnership will be available in future newsletters.

FarmFood360 at the Canadian National Exhibition

FFCO will join its members at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) this August. Throughout the event, FFCO will be in The Farm building, partnering with various member groups to bring the FarmFood360° virtual reality experience directly to visitors.

This theatre-style pop-up kiosk features an upgraded system that allows up to four people to explore FarmFood360° tours through virtual reality headsets, while the same video is simultaneously cast to a large screen. The casting feature gives parents and other onlookers a chance to engage with FFCO staff and partners while children enjoy the immersive experience.

The FarmFood360° kiosk will rotate between exhibits hosted by:

• Dairy Farmers of Ontario
• Egg Farmers of Ontario
• Grain Farmers of Ontario
• Beef Farmers of Ontario

Be sure to visit The Farm building during your time at the CNE and check out this engaging, hands-on way to learn more about Ontario agriculture.

Upcoming webinar: Putting your best foot forward

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

For: 4-H Ontario members and leaders

When: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom



This training session will equip livestock exhibitors with the tools to confidently share their farm stories with non-farming audiences. Whether you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills, communicate more effectively, or engage in meaningful conversations, this session is for you. Join Farm & Food Care Ontario for a practical webinar on how to connect with the public when exhibiting livestock — and proudly represent Ontario’s farming community.

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

Resources and lending library

If you're organizing an event, fair, or agricultural awareness activity this fall, Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) has a range of resources available to support your outreach efforts.

FFCO offers information sheets with practical tips on everything from setting up educational livestock displays to ensuring your key messages are clear and engaging.

Members at the Supporter level and above also have access to a library of lendable resources designed to enhance ag education displays.

These include:

• Eye-catching farm fact signs
• Interactive speech bubbles for photo ops
• Professionally designed ag education signage
• And more!

These materials are perfect for drawing attention, starting conversations, and promoting accurate farm and food information in a fun, approachable way.

Farm proud? Wear it loud! Order your 2025 FFCO t-shirt today

These exclusive "If Found, Please Return to the Farm" t-shirts, designed for FFCO, are now available for $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. They will also be available in the FFCO booth in Federation House at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show in September.

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 sixth 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 tabletop stand with your purchase! Shipping is also available if you prefer. Payment can be made by cheque, e-transfer, or credit card.

Member accolades:

2025 MLFPC Food System Champions Announced: Crispin Colvin and Chantel Crockett

Congratulations to Crispin Colvin, Past Chair of FFCO and Ontario Federation of Agriculture director, and Chantel Crockett of the Agricultural Adaptation Council (a long time friend and supporter of FFCO). They have been named 2025 Food System Champions by the Middlesex-London Food Policy Council. Many other groups were also recognized.

We’re pleased to see their leadership and contributions recognized through this well-deserved honour.

CFO donates 3,000 meals to the Guelph Food Bank

Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) has donated 350 kg of chicken to the Guelph Food Bank, helping provide an estimated 3,000 meals to individuals and families in need. This generous contribution was made through the CFO Cares: Farmers to Food Bank program, which enables local chicken farmers to donate surplus chicken directly to food banks across Ontario — supporting communities with fresh, high-quality protein.

Platinum member testimonial - Grain Farmers of Ontario

"Grain Farmers of Ontario has been a long-standing member and proud supporter of Farm and Food Care Ontario, driven by a shared belief in the meaningful impact of collaboration when it comes to building trust in our food system.

 

By working together with a diverse group of agricultural partners, Farm & Food Care Ontario helps amplify our shared voice and build lasting trust with consumers. 

Farm & Food Care Ontario plays a vital role in bridging the gap between farmers and the public. Through initiatives such as farm tours for students and culinary professionals, Breakfast on the Farm events, The Real Dirt on Farming publication, and FarmFood360° virtual reality tours, they provide opportunities for transparent and respectful conversations about modern agriculture. These efforts help showcase the people and practices behind food production in a way that is credible, relatable, and grounded in real experience." 

- Jeff Harrison, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario 

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.