In This Issue

• New egg and sheep virtual reality tours added to FarmFood360.ca
• Highlights from annual Harvest Gala
• Maple Leaf Foods receives 2024 Paul Mistele Memorial Award
• Recap of the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
• FFCO receives Minister's Award for Excellence in Agriculture
• Best of CAMA Awards for The Real Dirt on Farming
• Canadian Farm Writers' Federation Awards
• Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts
• Nominate a Food & Farming Champion
• Give the gift of FFCO this Christmas
• Member accolades
• FFCO holiday hours
• Toronto tour testimonial

New egg and sheep virtual reality tours added to FarmFood360.ca

Four new Virtual Reality tours, filmed in 2024 on Ontario’s egg and sheep farms, are now live on the FarmFood360 website, which attract over one million visitors each year. These immersive experiences join a growing collection of 26 engaging farm and food processing tours, offering a truly unique window into the world of agriculture.

This latest project was developed in partnership between Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO), Burnbrae Farms, Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) and AAFC's AgriCompetitiveness program of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a collaborative federal, provincial, and territorial initiative.

A special thank you to videographer Nelson Dunk and the talented team at Skylight Productions, as well as project managers Andrew Campbell and Steph Towers from Fresh Air Media, for their exceptional work in bringing these immersive 360° tours to life.

Highlights from the 17th annual Harvest Gala

FFCO held its 17th annual Harvest Gala on Thursday, November 28, at the Delta Hotel in Guelph. The event welcomed 230 farmers, agribusiness leaders, and supporters, all gathering to celebrate Ontario's agriculture and food sector while raising funds to support the charity's outreach initiatives. Highlights included recaps of impactful in-person activations, such as Breakfast on the Farm events, and the presentation of the 2024 Paul Mistele Memorial Award by Feed Ontario to Maple Leaf Foods.

Special guests included Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Rob Flack and Parliamentary Assistant John Jordan as well as Guelph Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield and Member of Provincial Parliament, Mike Schreiner. Member of Parliament Kody Blois of Nova Scotia was also in attendance as was Senator Rob Black.

In addressing the crowd, Minister Flack spoke about Farm & Food Care's commitment to building partnerships while raising awareness about food and farming in Ontario. 

All funds raised at the event will be put into future public trust initiatives.

Maple Leaf receives 2024 Paul Mistele Memorial Award

Named for the late farm leader who founded Ontario Pork’s Donate-A-Hog program, the Paul Mistele Memorial Award recognizes agricultural partners who have shown a significant and enduring commitment to ending hunger in Ontario. The 2024 award was accepted by Kelly Gubesch from Maple Leaf. Maple Leaf was chosen by Feed Ontario for its partnership in integrating the program through their new London-based production facility.

“Maple Leaf Foods has provided an incredible 210,000 lbs of freshly processed, tray packed chicken to Feed Ontario member food banks across the province this year, contributing to an astounding 10 million servings since the program began in 2015,” said Feed Ontario’s CEO, Carolyn Stewart. “Maple Leaf has made a significant impact in ensuring that more food banks across Ontario can receive donations of high-protein chicken. As our network continues to face record-high demand, it is only through the generosity of partners like Maple Leaf that we can ensure food banks can be there for those who need them. Thank you to Maple Leaf for its partnership and generous support.”

In accepting the award, Gubesch said, "Maple Leaf Foods is honoured to receive the 2024 Paul Mistele Memorial Award from Feed Ontario. Since 2016, the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security been working to address and reduce food insecurity in Ontario and across Canada. We are committed to supporting communities and advocating for policy changes to make food security a reality for as many Canadians as possible."

Recap of the 2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The 102nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair was a success for FFCO as staff and volunteers entertained crowds of thousands of school children and parents with several newly released FarmFood360 Virtual Tours, the Ask-A-Farmer booth, and photo area.

Top left: Mitchell Wood (FFCO staff) and John Drummond (volunteer) showcasing the FarmFood360 tours.

Top right: A group of school children check out and ask a question at the Ask-A-Farmer booth.

Bottom left: A group of school children posed for a photo with the FFCO speech bubbles.

FFCO receives Minister's Award for Excellence in Agriculture

Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO) was honoured to receive the Minister's Award and the Promotional Excellence Award at the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards, presented on November 2 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. This prestigious recognition highlights the organization's ongoing efforts to foster meaningful connections through marketing campaigns and resources, including The Real Dirt on Farming while hosting farm tours and events such as Breakfast on the Farm.

The Government of Ontario's annual Excellence in Agriculture Awards recognizes farmers, processors, industry organizations, and businesses whose contributions are strengthening growth across the province's agri-food sector.

FFCO Board and staff members were honoured to attend the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture ceremony to accept both the Promotional Excellence Award and the Minister's Award.

(L-R): Lauren Miller and Rachel Coles, FFCO communications staff; Crispin Colvin, Chair of FFCO; Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness; Christa Ormiston, FFCO Communications Manager; John Taylor, FFCO treasurer; John Jordan, parliamentary assistant to the Minister.

Best of CAMA Awards for The Real Dirt on Farming

FFCO has won Best of Show in Industry & Public Relations category and the Magazine category for The Real Dirt on Farming booklet at the 2024 Canadian Agri-Food Marketers' Alliance Awards.



This award is a testament to the power of education and public engagement in strengthening the connection between consumers and their food.

Canadian Farm Writers' Federation Gold medal

FFCO's staff and writers of the The Real Dirt on Farming accepted a gold medal at the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation conference in Halifax in October. Thank you to freelance writers Lilian Schaer and Matthew McIntosh for their exceptional work on the latest edition.

Additionally, FFCO’s Lauren Miller earned second place in the Production Photography category for her photo of a bison cow and her calf, which appeared in the latest edition of The Real Dirt on Farming.

Above (L-R): Lauren Miller and Jessica McCann, FFCO Communications staff; Lilian Schaer, freelance writer; Kelly Daynard, FFCO Executive Director, and Matthew McIntosh, freelance writer.

Above: Lauren Miller accepting second place award for her Production Photography category submission of the Bison and calf from Myrna Stark Leader, Canadian Farm Writers Federation Board member and past president.

Call for Breakfast on the Farm hosts

Are you interested in participating in one of Ontario's largest agricultural outreach events? Consider hosting a Breakfast on the Farm in 2025.

FFCO is seeking host farms and agricultural societies across various regions of Ontario. Our team will take the lead, collaborating with you and a local volunteer committee to ensure a successful event.

Interested in learning more? Contact the FFCO office to discuss your farm or organization and the role of a host. Call 519-837-1326, ext. 221, or email events@farmfoodcare.org with any questions. Applications are available for download and can be submitted directly to Farm & Food Care.

Applications will be accepted until January 30, 2025.

Nominate a Food & Farming Champion

FFCO is now accepting nominations for its annual Champion Award, which honors individuals, organizations, or businesses that have made a significant impact in educating consumers about agriculture in Ontario. This award celebrates those who have worked to clarify misconceptions, promote agricultural practices, and raise awareness about the importance of the farming industry.

Nominations are open until March 7, 2025. If you know someone who deserves this recognition, we invite you to submit a nomination through the form provided.

Pictured here is 2024 Food & Farming Champion Award winner Henry Swierenga.

Give the gift of FFCO this Christmas

With the support of members, donors and partners in 2024, Farm & Food Care Ontario has made incredible strides in growing confidence in food and farming in Ontario and across Canada.

Together, we:

• Hosted 20,300+ Ontarians at in-person farm experiences.
• Reached 2.5 million Canadians through Faces Behind Food.
• Reached 45,000+ people through Virtual Field Trips at eight farms.
• Hosted seven in-person Farm Tours for culinary students and food industry professionals.
• Distributed 15,325 resources to schools, fairs, and organizations.
• Facilitated 25 training sessions for industry leaders and emergency responders.
• Shared thousands of virtual farm tour experiences through FarmFood360.
• Filmed three new FarmFood360 tours featuring sheep, eggs, and ginseng, adding to the extensive library of Ontario farms available for tour. 



Your generosity helps us connect farm gates to dinner plates, growing trust and understanding in food and farming. Help us grow the conversation about Ontario agriculture. Donate today at FarmFoodCareON.org/donate and make a tax-receipt eligible contribution.

Member accolades:

2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards:

Conestoga Meats wins Food Processing Excellence Award

Congratulations to Conestoga Meats for receiving the Food Processing Excellence Award.

Bite of Brant wins Promotional Excellence Award

Congratulations to Bite of Brant for receiving a Promotional Excellence Award.

Sheldon Creek Dairy, Honourable mention for Supply Chain Excellence

Congratulations to Sheldon Creek Dairy in Simcoe for receiving an Honourable Mention in the Supply Chain Excellence category.

Dr. Rob Swackhammer 2024 winner of Feeding the Human Spirit Leadership Award

EastGen continues to celebrate the legacy of the late Dr. Tim Henshaw with this year’s presentation of the Feeding the Human Spirit Leadership Award to Dr. Rob Swackhammer of Rockwood, ON, The award was presented at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

Jennifer Howe-Loewith finalist in ‘2024 Women in Ag Award’

Jennifer Howe-Loewith of Summit Station Dairy has been named a finalist for the prestigious ‘2024 Women in Ag Award,’ organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) and Women in Ag magazine.

This international award celebrates and promotes the vital role of women in agriculture.

FFCO holiday hours

The team at Farm & Food Care Ontario wishes everyone a safe and joyful holiday season. The office will be closed from noon on December 24th and will re-open January 2nd, 2025.

Toronto tour feedback

"Since I specifically teach young people aged 4 to 18 (and more and more adults and seniors, now) about healthy eating, where their food comes from and who makes or grows it, and also teach them how to cook, these tours are invaluable in my career for disseminating information to my audience and students. I enjoy spreading the awareness about our farming and agricultural practices, filling my lectures and classes with interesting facts and tidbits about the food they are learning about or cooking with, and showing them actual photos of the people and processes who grow food in the fields and then put it on their tables."

-Toronto Food Industry Professional tour attendee

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.